Cheesy Ham & Potato Soup

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/3 cup diced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup diced cooked ham
1 cup shredded carrots
3 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 lb finely shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:
1. Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about a half-hour.

2. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.
3. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute.

4. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
5. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through.

6. Add cheese as last step before serving. (Serves 8)

Ingredients: (For 30 Servings)
13 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1 ¼ cups diced celery
1 ¼ cups finely chopped onion
3 cups diced cooked ham
3 cups shredded carrots
12 cups water
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1 ¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 Tbsp and ¾ tsp ground white or black pepper, or to taste
1 cup and 3 tablespoons butter
1 cup and 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
7 ½ cups milk
3 lbs finely shredded cheddar cheese