Hearty soup blending beef, melty cheddar, potatoes, and smoky bacon in a slow cooker.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 4 strips bacon
02 - 1 pound lean ground beef
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 - 1 yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
→ Seasonings
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ½ teaspoon 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
# How to Make:
01 - Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels and reserve 1 tablespoon bacon grease in the pan. Once cooled, chop bacon for topping.
02 - Add ground beef to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat, breaking apart as it browns, about 7 minutes. Stir in diced onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until onion softens. Drain excess grease if necessary.
03 - Transfer beef mixture to a 6-quart crockpot. Add beef broth, diced potatoes, and cheddar cheese soup. Stir thoroughly to combine.
04 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 4 hours, until potatoes are tender.
05 - During the final 30 minutes, stir in heavy cream and freshly grated cheddar cheese. Continue cooking until cheese is melted and soup becomes creamy.
06 - Ladle soup into bowls. Top with chopped crispy bacon, additional cheddar cheese, pickle slices, and/or diced tomatoes as desired. Serve warm.
