# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend preferred)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
05 - 2 ribs celery, diced
06 - 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
→ Dairy
07 - 3 cups whole milk
08 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Pantry & Seasonings
11 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
13 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - 1/4 teaspoon dried mustard powder
17 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
18 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
→ Toppings
19 - 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
20 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
21 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
22 - 1/4 cup sour cream
23 - Dill pickle slices
# Directions:
01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the ground beef until well browned, breaking it into small pieces during cooking. Drain off any excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add unsalted butter to the pot. Stir in diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant.
04 - Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the mixture and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes to create a roux.
05 - Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Add peeled and diced potatoes, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and dried mustard powder.
06 - Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 to 18 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender.
07 - Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in whole milk, heavy cream, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Warm the mixture until just steaming, without bringing to a boil.
08 - Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until fully melted and the soup develops a creamy texture.
09 - Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
10 - Ladle the soup hot into bowls. Garnish each portion with crumbled bacon, extra cheddar, green onions, sour cream, and dill pickles as desired.
