chopped tomatoes, onion, cooked bacon, and/or dill pickles for garnish
Instructions
In a large pot or Dutch oven, over medium-high heat, brown ground beef, breaking up large pieces, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add celery and onion; cook, stirring, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 more minutes.
1 pound lean ground beef, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, 1 cup chopped celery , 1 cup diced onion
Add broth and diced potatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Slowly add milk, whisking or stirring constantly, and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Whisk in ketchup, tomato paste, and mustard. Remove from heat.
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups whole milk, ¼ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons no-salt-added tomato paste, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
When the potatoes are tender, slowly stir the milk mixture into the soup; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in cheese. When cheese is completely incorporated into the soup, remove from heat and stir in chives. Don’t boil the soup after the cheese has been added.
Serve topped with tomatoes, onion and/or pickles, if desired.
chopped tomatoes, onion, cooked bacon, and/or dill pickles for garnish
Video
Notes
Storage & reheating: Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to three days. It does not freeze well. To reheat, place soup in saucepan and reheat over medium low heat until heated through. Try not to boil the soup because it can make it look curdled. It still tastes great but isn't as creamy-looking. Don't worry if that happens -- just pile on more toppings!
Keep it warm in a crockpot; If you're serving guests but don't want last minute prep, make the soup and put it into a crockpot. Set it for Warm and the soup will be fine until you're ready to serve it.
Recipe adapted from Eating Well magazine, September 2019.