Creamy, Hearty & Healthy: The Ultimate Low-Point Bacon Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

There’s an undeniable comfort in a warm bowl of soup, a feeling that transcends seasons. While it’s a quintessential cold-weather meal, this incredibly satisfying bacon cheeseburger soup is so good, you’ll find yourself craving it even on a hot summer day (preferably enjoyed in the comfort of air conditioning!). Whether you prefer the slow simmer of a crockpot or the quick convenience of a stovetop pot, this recipe is incredibly versatile. If you’re searching for a truly hearty, wonderfully creamy, and surprisingly healthy soup, look no further – this bacon cheeseburger soup is guaranteed to become a new family favorite!

To keep this indulgent-tasting dish lighter and lower in points (perfect for those following Weight Watchers or simply seeking a healthier option), I’ve opted for lean ground chicken. However, if you’re not concerned about the extra points, ground beef makes an equally delicious substitute. What truly sets this recipe apart is its astonishing creaminess – it quickly became one of my all-time favorite soups. The inclusion of hash brown potatoes not only adds a delightful texture but also keeps the preparation simple. For transparency and comparison, I’ve linked the specific brand of hash browns I use here, allowing you to review nutrition information. If you’ve been dreaming of a flavorful, creamy, and truly satisfying soup that doesn’t compromise on taste or your health goals, you absolutely must try this one. Let’s get cooking!

Looking for more delicious, point-friendly soup options? Be sure to explore these other fantastic 27 Weight Watchers Soup Recipes for inspiration.

Why This Bacon Cheeseburger Soup Will Be Your New Go-To Recipe

Bacon Cheeseburger Flavor – Without the Guilt!

Who doesn’t love the classic, comforting taste of a bacon cheeseburger? While undeniably delicious, traditional cheeseburgers can be notoriously high in unhealthy fats and calories, often leaving you feeling sluggish. This innovative soup recipe captures all those beloved flavors – the smoky bacon, the savory cheese, the hearty meatiness – but transforms them into a surprisingly healthy meal. By making smart ingredient choices, we’ve managed to deliver an incredibly flavorful experience for just 5 grams of fat and 211 calories per serving. It’s a guilt-free indulgence that satisfies your cravings without derailing your dietary goals.

Healthy, Hearty, and Luxuriously Creamy.

As mentioned, there’s little that compares to a rich, hearty, and creamy soup, especially one that also boasts impressive nutritional stats. This recipe achieves its luxurious texture through a carefully crafted base. A touch of flour helps create a perfectly thick consistency, while skim milk, reduced-fat cheese, and a hint of light butter contribute to its velvety smoothness. You get all the comfort and satiety of a decadent soup without the heaviness, making it a perfect meal for any time of year. The blend of vegetables and lean protein ensures you feel full and satisfied.

An Ideal, Effortless Family Dinner Option.

Feeding a family can often feel like a juggling act, especially on busy weeknights. This bacon cheeseburger soup recipe is a true lifesaver, yielding a generous 12 cups, making it perfect for larger families or for meal prepping healthy lunches for the week. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, with the crockpot doing the majority of the heavy lifting. This “set it and forget it” approach frees up your time, allowing you to focus on other tasks while a delicious, wholesome dinner simmers to perfection. It’s a meal that appeals to both adults and children, making dinner time a breeze and a delight.

Gather Your Ingredients: What You’ll Need for This Delicious Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

• 1 lb fat free ground chicken, weighed raw (This is key for keeping the fat content low while providing excellent protein.)
• 3 cups frozen hash browns (The frozen variety saves time and breaks down beautifully in the soup for a potato-y texture. Refer to the introduction for my specific brand recommendation!)
• 1.5 cups chopped carrots (Adds a touch of sweetness and vibrant color, as well as essential nutrients.)
• 1.5 cups diced onion (The aromatic foundation for any great soup, building depth of flavor.)
• 4 cups chicken broth (Use a low-sodium variety to better control the overall saltiness of your soup.)
• Salt and pepper to taste (Season generously, but remember you can always add more later.)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (A pungent, savory boost that complements the other flavors.)
• ½ teaspoon onion powder (Enhances the natural onion flavor without adding extra bulk.)
• 2 teaspoon basil (Herbaceous notes that lift the entire dish.)
• 6 slices cooked and crumbled Oscar Mayer center-cut bacon (Center-cut bacon typically has less fat, making it a smarter choice for this recipe.)
• 1 cup reduced-fat shredded cheese – any kind will do (Sharp cheddar or a Colby Jack blend works wonderfully to deliver that classic cheeseburger tang.)
• 2 tablespoons light butter (Essential for making the roux, providing richness without excessive calories.)
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour (The thickening agent for our creamy base.)
• 2 cups low-fat, skim milk (Contributes to the soup’s creamy texture while keeping it light.)

Crafting Your Delicious Bacon Cheeseburger Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Begin by browning the fat-free ground chicken in a pan on the stove. This step is crucial for developing a rich, savory flavor. Once fully cooked, drain any excess liquid to ensure your soup isn’t greasy. Transfer the cooked chicken to your crockpot, then add the frozen hash browns, chopped carrots, diced onions, chicken broth, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and basil. Stir all these ingredients thoroughly to combine them well. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours, or on low for 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to tenderize.
2. Approximately 15 minutes before your crockpot’s cooking time is complete, it’s time to prepare the roux. This simple thickening agent is what will transform your soup into a wonderfully creamy consistency. If you haven’t already cooked your bacon, now is the perfect opportunity to do so. Cook until crispy, then crumble and set aside.
3. To make the roux, melt the light butter in a separate pan over medium-low heat on the stove. Once the butter has melted and is shimmering, gradually whisk in the all-purpose flour. Stir continuously for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly and you can smell a slightly nutty aroma – this indicates the flour has cooked out, preventing a raw flour taste. Be careful not to let it turn brown. Slowly, and while continuously whisking, pour in the skim milk. Keep stirring constantly for about 5-10 minutes. The sauce will gradually thicken to a creamy, smooth texture. Once achieved, carefully add this roux directly into your crockpot. Finally, stir in the reduced-fat shredded cheese and the crumbled, cooked bacon.
4. Allow the bacon cheeseburger soup to continue cooking in the crockpot for an additional 20 minutes. This extra time is essential for the cheese to fully melt and integrate smoothly into the soup, creating that irresistible cheesy goodness throughout.
5. Serve your hearty bacon cheeseburger soup warm. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chives or a dollop of light sour cream if desired, and prepare to enjoy a truly satisfying and flavorful meal!

This recipe generously yields 12 cups of delicious soup. The nutrition information for a 1-cup serving is as follows: Calories 211, Fat 5 g, Saturated fat 1.4 g, Carbs 22 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Sugars 3.8 g, Sodium 286 mg, Protein 19 g.

Weight Watchers Points Breakdown for Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

For those tracking with Weight Watchers, this soup is an excellent choice for a filling and flavorful meal that keeps your points in check. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the points for each ingredient, helping you understand how this recipe stays so low-point:

• Fat free ground chicken: 0 points (A fantastic lean protein source!)
• Frozen hash browns: 14 points (These add bulk and a classic potato texture.)
• Chopped carrots: 0 points (Enjoy your veggies freely!)
• Diced onion: 0 points (Flavorful and point-free.)
• Chicken broth: 0 points (Choose low-sodium to manage overall points and sodium.)
• Salt and pepper: 0 points (Season to your heart’s content.)
• Garlic powder: 0 points (Adds a punch of flavor without points.)
• Onion powder: 0 points (Another savory, point-free enhancer.)
• Basil: 0 points (Fresh or dried, it’s a great addition.)
• Oscar Mayer Center Cut Bacon: 6 points (A moderate amount provides maximum flavor impact.)
• Reduced fat shredded cheese: 14 points (Delivers that essential cheeseburger experience in a lighter form.)
• Light butter: 5 points (Used in the roux for creaminess.)
• All Purpose Flour: 2 points (The thickening agent, a little goes a long way.)
• Low fat Skim milk: 5 points (The base for our creamy, light sauce.)

Based on the WW app recipe creator, each 1-cup serving of this delightful soup comes out to just 4 points! This makes it an incredibly satisfying option that won’t compromise your daily or weekly point allowance.

If you’re using an older version of Weight Watchers, here’s how the points calculate:

Personal Points – 3-4, depending on your specific ZeroPoint foods list.

Freestyle SmartPoints – 4 points when calculated using the WW recipe builder (applicable to blue, green, and purple plans).

Points Plus – 4 points using the Points Plus calculator.

Creative Variations: Customize Your Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

One of the best things about soup is how easily it can be adapted to suit different tastes or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to customize your bacon cheeseburger soup:

• **Quick Bacon Option:** If you’re pressed for time or simply don’t have fresh bacon on hand, a sprinkle of pre-cooked bacon bits can be used instead of cooking and crumbling fresh bacon. Just be mindful of the sodium content and adjust seasonings accordingly.
• **Meat Preference:** As highlighted earlier, while ground chicken helps keep the points low, feel free to swap it for extra lean ground beef if that’s your preference. The rich, beefy flavor will still be incredibly delicious, and the soup remains a hearty and satisfying meal. Just remember to account for any slight point adjustments if you’re tracking.
• **Lower Carb & Points Alternative:** For an even lower-point and lower-carb version, consider omitting the hash browns entirely. Instead, add an equal amount of diced cauliflower. When cooked in the soup, cauliflower takes on a wonderfully tender texture similar to potatoes, providing bulk and satiety without the extra calories, carbohydrates, and points. It’s a clever way to boost your vegetable intake too!

Pro Tips for the Perfect Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Even simple recipes benefit from a few expert tips. Here’s how to ensure your bacon cheeseburger soup turns out perfectly every time:

• **Add More Veggies:** While the recipe includes carrots and onions, don’t hesitate to add other vegetables if you like! Some finely diced celery can be a wonderful addition, bringing an extra layer of flavor and texture. I personally choose to omit it as I’m not a fan, but if you do add celery, you might want to consider a tiny splash more chicken broth to maintain the desired soup consistency.
• **Freezing for Future Meals:** This soup is fantastic for meal prepping! It freezes exceptionally well, making it easy to prepare a large batch and enjoy it throughout the week or month. Simply portion individual servings into freezer-safe zip-top bags or containers, ensuring they are completely cooled before freezing. When you’re ready for a quick meal, simply thaw and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
• **Storage Instructions:** If you prefer to store it in the fridge, your bacon cheeseburger soup will keep beautifully for up to 5 days in an airtight container. This makes it perfect for delicious leftovers!
• **Seasoning is Key:** Always taste your soup before serving and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Different brands of broth and bacon can vary in sodium content, so a final taste test ensures perfect seasoning.

More Delicious & Healthy Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this healthy and flavorful soup, you’ll definitely want to check out some of our other popular recipes designed to be both delicious and point-friendly:

• Deliciously Light Chicken Florentine
• Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets Recipe
• Authentic and Easy Weight Watchers Shrimp and Grits