Toasty Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Each serving of this easy hamburger soup is topped with crisp toast quarters, similar to French Onion Soup.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices bacon
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 14.5-oz. can beef broth
• 2 cups water
• Salt and black pepper
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
• 16 1/2-inch slices French bread
• 8 slices cheddar cheese, halved

Directions:

In a Dutch oven cook bacon until crisp over medium heat. Remove bacon, reserving drippings. Drain bacon on paper towels. Crumble bacon and set aside. Cook and stir onion in reserved bacon drippings for 5 minutes. Add ground beef; cook until beef is done. Drain off fat. Sprinkle beef mixture with flour; mix well. Add undrained tomatoes, broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Stir in crumbled bacon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, for cheese toast, preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a small bowl combine mayonnaise and mustard; spread on one side of each bread slice. Top each bread slice with a slice of cheese. Arrange bread slices on baking sheets. Bake until bread toasts to a light golden brown and cheese melts. Cut each slice into quarters. To serve, top each serving with 4 to 6 cheese toast quarters. Serve remaining cheese toasts on the side.

Number of Servings: 4 Servings (1-1/2 cups each)

Notes from the Cook: Putting the soup into heated bowls is nice. Bowls can be heated in warm oven or in hot water, which of course, means drying.