Cheesy Sausage & Potato Soup

Description: This rich & creamy soup is the perfect cure for a cold winter night. Don't be scared off by the long list of ingredients, it's mostly dried herbs and seasonings you already have in your spice drawer.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spicy ground pork sausage (like Jimmy Dean hot sausage)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 6 large yukon gold potatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/8 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/8 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/8 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup whole milk
• 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, diced (about 2 cups)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Steps:

1. In a large stockpot, brown sausage and break up into pieces. Remove sausage from pot, drain fat & set aside.
2. In the same pot, melt the butter and oil together. Add the onion, celery, carrots & garlic and saute until onions are translucent but not browned.
3. Stir in the potatoes, dried herbs, chicken stock and sausage. Bring to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender.
4. Turn heat to low and add Velveeta & milk, stirring constantly until the cheese is melted.
5. Bring soup to a boil and then add cornstarch/water mixture. Remove from heat & stir in sour cream.
6. Serve hot & enjoy!