Cheesy Potato Soup

I made this for my family a few days ago and it was really good. I tweeked the recipe that I had and loved the additions. It was a really easy soup to make and fun to see Hubby and my girls gobble it down.

Cheesy Potato Soup
4 T. butter
1 c. diced carrots
1/2 onion, diced
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
4 c. chicken broth
5 c. peeled, cubed potatoes
1 t. dried basil
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. pepper
1/4 c. flour
1 1/2 c. milk
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated (2 c.)
2-3 c. spinach, chopped

Melt 1 T. butter in a large sauce pan. Saute onions, garlic, and carrots. (You could also dice some celery and add at this point.) Add chicken broth, potatoes, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Melt 3 T. butter in another sauce pan. Stir in flour for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk adding a bit at a time. Cook until thickened, 2 minutes. Add cheese and stir until melted.

Pour cheese mixture into soup and stir thoroughly. Add chopped spinach and stir until spinach is wilted.