When you think of a high-protein meal, what comes to mind? Steak? Chicken?
Soup probably isn’t on the top of the list (or even on the list).
But what if we told you that a bowl of comforting soup could rival—and even surpass—a steak dinner while delivering the cozy satisfaction only a warming soup can provide on a chilly night? It’s true! High-protein soups offer the ultimate combination of comfort, nutrition, and convenience.
Plus, soups are so versatile. You can easily sneak in a variety of satisfying, nutrient-dense ingredients without diminishing any of the complex flavors. Plus, soups are perfect for batch cooking, making them an ideal option for meal prep.
Today, we’re going to showcase a hearty recipe that takes inspiration from a beloved comfort food: High-Protein Shepherd’s Pie Soup.
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tbsp salted butter
- 2 Tbsp whole wheat flour
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1/3 cup half and half
- 2 scoops protein powder unflavored
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder
- 1/4 tsp sage
- 1 1/2 cups mixed frozen vegetables
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut up potatoes into quarters. Place in a stockpot, covered by one inch of water, and boil gently for about 10 to 15 minutes or until very fork tender.
- While potatoes are cooking, crumble and cook ground beef (or turkey) over medium heat until cooked through. Drain grease and set aside. (Avoid cleaning the pot—you’ll continue to use it for the rest of the recipe.)
- Drain and mash the potatoes with butter and Greek yogurt and set aside.
- Bring the pot you used to cook the meat back to the stovetop. Add the diced onions and cook until softened (about 5 minutes). Then add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Whisk your flour into the onions and garlic, using the spatula to scrape the flavored bits of meat and onion from the bottom of the pan.
- In splashes, add your vegetable broth, stirring continuously. Continue to loosen any remnants from the bottom of the pan with your spatula, which will make your soup more flavorful.
- Mix the milk, half and half, and protein powder in a bowl until smooth.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and seasonings to your broth. Then, slowly stir in the milk mixture. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Next, stir in the mashed potatoes until they’re well combined.
- Then add the ground beef and the frozen vegetables. Allow them to heat through, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the soup from the heat and place servings into individual bowls. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and top each bowl with shredded cheese.
- Stir and enjoy!
Nutrition
Why You’ll Love This High-Protein Shepherd’s Pie Soup
With the combination of quality meat, Greek yogurt, and protein powder, you’ll get a good dose of protein—more than many traditional entrees—ensuring you stay full and energized as well as powering your muscles’ recovery.
In addition, vegetables are a great way to sneak extra fiber, vitamins, and minerals without even trying. And because frozen vegetables are already prepared, you’ll cut the prep time down dramatically.
This soup is also easily customizable. If you prefer to avoid meat, you can use lentils, peas, or other plant-based proteins. Want to limit carbohydrates or calories? Swap out the potatoes for cauliflower.
Most of all, when the temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite as soothing as a hot cup of soup to chase away the chill and warm you up from the inside out.
High-protein soups like this one are here to save the day—whether your goal is to eat more protein, cozy up on a cold winter’s day, enjoy a delicious, nutrient-dense meal, or all three. This high-protein shepherd’s pie soup is just a delightful reminder that comfort food can be tasty, hearty, and healthy. All you need to do is grab a spoon and savor every bite. Enjoy!
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