Healthy Cheeseburger Soup

Today I’m sharing a recipe that will comfort your “it’s not even December and the wind chill is already -2 degrees!” woes, but won’t break the calorie bank: Healthy Cheeseburger Soup!

So what makes this soup healthy? TONS of vegetables. And not just the ones you can see (carrots, celery, and potatoes) but also the ones you can’t see: blended cauliflower, muwahaha!

Even if you dislike cauliflower, you’ll never know it’s in here. Steamed florets are blended with chicken broth and another healthy ingredient until it takes on the texture of liquid velvet, which thickens the soup instead of flour and butter.

Plus cheese. Gotta have cheese – even in Healthy Cheeseburger Soup!

Healthier Cheeseburger Soup

I don’t fall into the camp of people who thinks cheese is unhealthy – I mean in copious amounts it is, but what isn’t – so I will never feel bad about consuming it…even in copious amounts. Shrug! That said, my Healthy Cheeseburger Soup has a modest amount of cheddar cheese sprinkled in yet is still creamy and decadent tasting.

This soup would be super fun to serve with a toppings bar. Scoop into bowls then set out any and all toppings that you’d normally find on a cheeseburger – fresh tomatoes, minced pickles, raw white onion, and/or chopped bacon. Though not typically found on a cheeseburger, chopped green onions add an awesome zip and crunch.

Ok, ok I’m done – let’s get cooking!

How to Make This Recipe

Start by steaming a 10oz bag cauliflower florets in a large soup pot or Dutch oven with a few inches of water and a steamer basket (if you don’t have a steamer basket you can boil the cauliflower.)

Scoop the cauliflower into a blender with 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast, and 1/2 teaspoon salt then blend until completely smooth and velvety.

In case you haven’t guessed, nutritional yeast is the other super healthy secret ingredient in this soup! Nutritional yeast, or “nooch” as its also called, is packed with B vitamins and is often used to help lend a cheesy flavor to cheese-less dishes. It’s optional in this recipe but I like the boost of vitamins and savory flavor it adds to the soup.

Pro tip: sprinkle nutritional yeast onto buttered popcorn for the most tasty treat of your life – it is one of Ben’s and my favorite!

Set the blender aside, pour the cauliflower steaming liquid out of the pot, then return the pot over medium-high heat. Add 3/4lb ground beef then season with pepper and homemade seasoned salt and brown. Scoop the beef into a bowl then set aside.

Turn the heat down to medium then melt 1 Tablespoon butter in the pot and add 1 chopped shallot or small onion, 1 cup shredded carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks. Season with more pepper and seasoned salt then saute until the vegetables are tender, adding 1 teaspoon each dried basil, parsley, and dill about halfway through.

To the softened vegetables, add 2-1/2 cups chicken broth, the cooked ground beef, and 4 cups peeled and cubed Russet potatoes. That’s about 1 jumbo potato or 2 medium-sized ones. Bring the soup to a boil then place a lid on top, turn the heat down to medium-low, then simmer until the potatoes are tender, 10-12 minutes.

Last couple of steps! Add the blended cauliflower to the pot with 1 cup milk then, once bubbling, remove the pot from the heat and stir in 8oz freshly shredded cheddar cheese in three batches, stirring until completely melted before adding the next batch.

Let the soup sit and thicken for 10 minutes then scoop into bowls and have FUN with the toppings. Chopped pickles, tomatoes, and green onions were great, but don’t be afraid to go for the works (ie BACON). However you serve this yummy, Healthy Cheeseburger Soup, I hope you enjoy!

Healthy Cheeseburger Soup

• Print
• Pin It

dairy freegluten free

5/5 (10 REVIEWS)

Description

Healthy Cheeseburger Soup is loaded with vegetables yet heavy on decadent flavor. You will go back for bowl after bowl of this healthy, hearty soup!

Ingredients

serves 6-8

• 10oz bag cauliflower florets
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (optional)
• 3-4 cups chicken broth, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4lb ground beef
• homemade seasoned salt (see notes) + pepper
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 shallot or small onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 4 cups peeled and cubed Russet potatoes (1 jumbo or 2 medium-sized)
• 1 cup milk, any kind
• 8oz freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Toppings: chopped tomatoes, green onions, pickles, fresh dill, bacon, extra shredded cheese

Directions

1. Add a few inches of water to a large soup pot or Dutch oven then place a steamer basket inside. Turn heat to high to bring water to a boil then add cauliflower to basket, place a lid on top, turn the heat down to medium, and steam until cauliflower is tender, 5-6 minutes. Scoop cauliflower into a blender then pour out liquid from pot and set aside.
2. To the blender add 1/2 cup chicken broth, nutritional yeast (if using), and salt then blend until cauliflower is velvety. Set aside (can be done ahead of time.)
3. Place the soup pot over medium-high heat then add ground beef. Season with seasoned salt and pepper then saute until beef is cooked through. Scoop into a bowl then set aside.
4. Turn heat down to medium then melt butter inside pot. Add shallots, celery, and carrots, season with homemade seasoned salt and pepper, then saute until vegetables are tender, placing a lid on the pot if vegetables are taking too long to soften. About halfway through the softening process, add dried basil, parsley, and dill then continue to saute.
5. Add 2-1/2 cups chicken broth, potatoes, and cooked ground beef then turn heat up to high to bring broth to a boil. Place a lid on top, turn heat down to medium-low, then simmer until potatoes are tender, 10-12 minutes. Stir in blended cauliflower mixture and milk then bring soup back up to a bubble.
6. Remove pot from heat then add shredded cheese in three batches, stirring until completely smooth and melted before adding the next batch. Let soup sit and thicken for 10 minutes then add up to 1 cup additional broth if needed (save any extra for reheating,) add more salt and/or pepper if necessary, and then serve with toppings.

Notes

• Click for my homemade seasoned salt recipe >

Adapted from Taste of Home

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

Video