Description
A hearty, creamy soup featuring ground beef, potatoes, and melted cheese — comfort food in a bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (≈ 450 g) ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups potatoes, peeled and diced (½‑inch cubes)
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream (or more milk)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- ¼ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add the diced onion and cook until softened (about 4–5 minutes). Stir in the garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the diced potatoes, salt, pepper, paprika, and any optional herbs. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered until the potatoes are fork‑tender (about 12–15 minutes).
- Stir in the milk and cream, then reduce heat to low.
- Remove the pot from heat. Slowly add the shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. If the soup is too thick, add more broth or milk to reach desired consistency. Optionally mash a few potatoes to thicken naturally.
- Serve hot, optionally topped with extra cheese, fresh herbs, or other potato‑topping garnishes.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese (not pre-shredded) to ensure smoother melting.
- To reduce fat, use lower-fat milk or omit the heavy cream.
- You can substitute part of the potatoes by mashing a few to naturally thicken the soup.
- If reheating, stir gently and add a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess.
- For a cheeseburger flavor twist, stir in a bit of Dijon mustard or Worcestershire sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (≈ 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: ≈ 503 kcal
- Sugar: ≈ 6 g
- Sodium: ≈ 605 mg
- Fat: ≈ 33 g
- Saturated Fat: ≈ 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ≈ 18 g
- Trans Fat: ≈ 1 g
- Carbohydrates: ≈ 44 g
- Fiber: ≈ 4 g
- Protein: ≈ 30 g
- Cholesterol: ≈ 107 mg
