Add the ground beef to a large Dutch oven or pot and heat over medium heat. Brown the ground beef, crumbling it as it cooks.
Add the oil, onion, carrots, celery, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and salt, and saute another 4-5 minutes.
Add the flour and minced garlic and cook another minute, stirring frequently.
Stir in the broth and potatoes, and bring the soup to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
Once the potatoes are fork-tender, remove from heat and stir in the cheese and half n half. Continue to stir until the cheese has melted and everything is well combined. Serve with chives and/or crumbled bacon!