Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to bring this comforting recipe to life:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
If you’re out of chicken broth, you can substitute beef broth for a deeper flavor. And for a lighter version, replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
Instructions
Let’s walk through the steps to make this delicious soup:
- In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil and cook the ground beef until browned. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Remove the beef and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot.
- Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Return the cooked beef to the pot. Add the chicken broth, diced potatoes, salt, pepper, and dried basil. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the potatoes are tender, roughly 10-15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and milk until smooth. Gradually stir this mixture into the soup. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the soup thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the sour cream.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with additional cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Remember, cooking isn’t about perfection. It’s about the joy of creating something that brings people together. Don’t worry if your potatoes aren’t perfectly diced—the imperfections make it homemade.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
