A comforting blend of beef, cheddar, potatoes, and smoky bacon slow-cooked for rich, creamy goodness.
# Components:
→ Meats
01 - 4 slices bacon
02 - 1 pound lean ground beef
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
→ Seasonings
06 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
07 - 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Liquids
08 - 4 cups beef broth
→ Dairy & Cheese
09 - 1 can (10.5 ounces) cheddar cheese soup
10 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream
11 - 8 ounces freshly grated cheddar cheese, plus extra for serving
→ Toppings (Optional)
12 - Pickle slices
13 - Diced tomatoes
# Directions:
01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon slices until crisp, approximately 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet. Once cooled, chop bacon and set aside for topping.
02 - Add ground beef to the skillet with reserved bacon grease. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking meat apart, about 7 minutes. Stir in diced onion, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes until onion softens. Drain excess grease if necessary.
03 - Transfer beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add beef broth, diced potatoes, and cheddar cheese soup. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
04 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH setting for 4 hours, until potatoes are tender and flavors meld.
05 - During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in heavy cream and freshly grated cheddar cheese. Continue cooking until cheese melts and soup attains a creamy consistency.
06 - Ladle soup into bowls. Top with chopped crispy bacon, extra cheddar cheese, pickle slices, and diced tomatoes as desired. Serve hot.
