Easy Low Carb Cheeseburger Soup

 Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon thick cut
• 2 tbsp butter unsalted
• 1 lb ground beef
• 4 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp mustard (yellow)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 0-1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 cup beef broth or beef stock
• 6 oz cheddar cheese shredded
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

1. Chop bacon into small pieces
2. Heat dutch oven or other heavy bottomed pan over medium high heat
3. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally until browned and crispy, about 5-8 minutes
4. Remove bacon to paper towel lined plate to drain and spoon out any grease from pan and save for another use (see post above for tips on how to use bacon grease)
5. Melt butter in pan and add ground beef
6. Cook, breaking up meat while it browns until fully cooked
7. Stir in cream cheese, tomato paste, mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper until smooth
8. Pour in beef broth and cream and bring to a low simmer
9. Stir in cheese and let simmer 5-7 minutes until fully heated and melted smooth
10. Add bacon back into pan and let cool for 5-10 minutes to thicken before serving