Sheepherder'S Hearty Soup
A hearty, cheesy bean and vegetable soup with a spicy kick, perfect for comforting meals and suitable for those who enjoy bold flavors and easy, filling dishes.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1/4 cup diced onion ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons flour ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can crushed tomatoes ⓘ
- 3/4 cup shredded Jack cheese ⓘ
- 2/3 cup milk ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 dash bottled hot pepper sauce ⓘ
- 3 1/3 cups drained, cooked baby lima beans ⓘ
- 16 oz. can whole kernel corn ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute chopped celery and diced onion in butter until tender.
- Blend in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Add water and milk, then cook, stirring until thickened and smooth.
- Add drained, cooked baby lima beans, undrained whole kernel corn, crushed tomatoes, and shredded Jack cheese.
- Heat thoroughly, but do not boil.
- Add hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper to taste before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier soup, consider adding diced carrots or potatoes for extra texture. If Jack cheese isn't available, cheddar or mozzarella can work as a substitute. You can also make this dish vegetarian by using vegetable broth instead of water. Feel free to adjust the spice level with more or less hot pepper sauce based on your preference.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with additional shredded cheese if desired. It pairs beautifully with a side of crusty bread or a fresh salad, making it a complete meal. For a satisfying complement, consider pairing it with All-Time Favorite Potato Salad for a delightful contrast in flavors and textures.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the soup on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl, covered loosely, for about 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sheepherder'S Hearty Soup contains roughly 1100 calories, with 14g protein, 136g carbohydrates, and 56g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (58% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (47% of the Daily Value), and calcium (45% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 993mg per serving (43% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen lima beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use frozen baby lima beans. Just cook them according to package instructions before adding them to the soup. This will ensure they are tender and flavorful in the final dish.
Is this soup suitable for freezing?
While this soup can be frozen, the texture of the cheese and vegetables may change upon thawing. If you plan to freeze it, consider omitting the cheese and adding it fresh when reheating for the best results.
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the milk with a dairy-free alternative like almond milk or oat milk. For the cheese, you can use a dairy-free cheese product or simply omit it for a lighter version of the soup.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).