# Components:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef
→ Aromatics and Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
05 - 2 medium carrots, diced
06 - 2 stalks celery, diced
07 - 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
08 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
09 - 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
→ Dairy
10 - 3 cups whole milk
11 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
12 - 1/2 cup sour cream
13 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Pantry Staples
14 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken or beef broth
15 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
16 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
17 - 1 tsp yellow mustard
18 - 1/2 tsp paprika
19 - Salt, to taste
20 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Toppings
21 - 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
22 - 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
23 - 1 small tomato, diced
24 - Pickle slices (optional)
# Directions:
01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
02 - In the same pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir the all-purpose flour into the softened vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.
04 - Gradually whisk in the low-sodium broth and whole milk. Add the peeled and diced russet potatoes, frozen corn kernels, and diced tomatoes (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
05 - Return the reserved cooked ground beef to the pot. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
06 - Reduce the heat to low. Gradually stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it is fully melted and the soup is smooth.
07 - Stir in the sour cream until it is completely incorporated into the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle the hot soup into individual bowls. Top generously with crumbled cooked bacon, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, sliced green onions, and pickle slices, if desired.
