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Lightened-Up Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

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A creamy, savory cheeseburger soup made lighter with lean beef, reduced-fat cheese, and a secret ingredient—blended cottage cheese. All the nostalgic diner flavor without the guilt, made easy in the slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (93/7)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 3 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 8 ounces reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • ½ cup small curd 2% cottage cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
  • For garnish: extra reduced-fat cheddar, dill pickle slices or chopped pickles, chopped fresh parsley or chives, optional crumbled bacon or turkey bacon

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink (6-7 minutes). Add diced onion and cook 2 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Drain excess fat.
  2. Blend the cottage cheese: While beef browns, blend cottage cheese in a blender or with an immersion blender until completely smooth (about 30 seconds). Set aside.
  3. Layer the slow cooker: Transfer beef and onion mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add diced potatoes, carrots, and celery on top. Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir gently.
  4. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until vegetables are tender.
  5. Add the dairy: About 10 minutes before serving, stir in shredded cheddar cheese, blended cottage cheese, and milk. Stir gently until cheese is fully melted and soup is smooth and creamy.
  6. Adjust and finish: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If too thick, stir in warm broth or milk. If too thin, cook uncovered 10-15 minutes to thicken.
  7. Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with extra cheddar, pickle slices, fresh herbs, and optional bacon. Serve immediately.

Notes

Add dairy at the end to prevent separation. Shred cheese from a block for smoothest melt. Soup thickens as it sits; add milk or broth when reheating. Tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseburger soup, lightened-up soup, crockpot soup, slow cooker soup, healthy comfort food, easy dinner recipe

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/lightened-up-crockpot-cheeseburger-soup-easy-and-healthy-recipe/