My "go to" soup at work is potato-bacon and it is served with a sprinkling of grated cheddar (white or otherwise). I'm sure you could serve it with any shredded cheese you have on hand and the results would be just as good.
I will do my best with the quantities but ultimately what you are after with this is a thickish soup (not gluey but not watery either) and there is no cream added at all. The only milk product I add is the cheese to serve.
Potato Bacon Soup
1 onion, roughly chopped
8 slices uncooked bacon
6 good sized potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
Seasonings to taste... I use a combo of garlic powder, Mrs Dash (vegetable salt-substitute... if you guys can't get Mrs Dash the Kirkland Organic No-Salt seasoning from Costco is a good sub for it), thyme, sage and a pinch of parsley
Butter or olive oil about 3 tbsp
about 6 litres of vegetable or chicken broth... more or less depending on the size of your Dutch Oven
To serve.. grated cheddar (or otherwise) cheese and very finely slined green onion ( scallion)
Heat butter or oil in the Dutch oven. Add bacon and onions. Let cook until onions are translucent. Add potatoes and seasonings and cook for another 15-20 minutes. Add broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer partially covered for 2 hours. (you can simmer it for only an hour but I prefer long simmered soups) Using a blender (can be an immersion blender) puree soup in batches if need be. Return to Dutch oven and add more broth if needed. Simmer for at least 30 minutes. Serve garnished with shredded cheese and finley sliced green onion (scallion)
Note that there is no salt and pepper in my recipe... I have found that there is enough salt in the bacon and the broth for it not to be added but you may want to taste it and add salt if you think it is necessary.
Enjoy!