Ingredients
Meat and Protein
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- Cooked chopped bacon (optional, amount not specified)
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 large stick of celery, diced
- 4 large potatoes, diced into 1/4 inch pieces
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Liquids and Dairy
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil (optional, to supplement drippings)
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: In a large soup pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Remove the beef from the pan and drain excess grease, reserving a tablespoon or two if desired. Set the cooked beef aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, keep the drippings and add diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, diced celery, and diced potatoes. If there isn’t enough fat in the pan, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable or olive oil or reserved bacon grease. Sauté until the onions are soft but not browned, stirring frequently to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add seasonings: Stir in salt, black pepper, and dried basil. Cook while stirring for about 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Incorporate flour: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flavor and begin thickening the base.
- Add chicken broth: Gradually stir in the chicken broth, mixing well to incorporate the flour and avoid lumps.
- Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium-low heat and simmer until the soup thickens and potatoes become fork-tender, about 20 minutes. Stir regularly to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Add meats: Return the cooked ground beef and chopped bacon (if using) to the pot and stir to combine.
- Stir in milk: Pour in the whole milk and simmer on low heat for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to meld flavors and gently warm through without boiling.
- Add cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the soup is creamy and smooth.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and maintain a hearty but balanced texture.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can increase the flour slightly or simmer longer to reduce more liquid.
- For extra smoky flavor, cooked chopped bacon can be added as per step 9, though it is optional.
- This soup pairs well with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
- Be sure to stir frequently especially after adding flour and broth to avoid lumps and sticking at the bottom.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American