This Taco Soup is bursting with bold flavors and has quickly become a favorite for anyone who tries it. It’s packed with seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, and a blend of spices that bring a zesty kick. Best of all, it takes only 30 minutes from start to finish, making it a perfect choice for a quick weeknight dinner that tastes like it simmered all day. With a range of optional toppings, you can easily customize it to suit your tastes. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
- Chicken Stock or Beef Broth: 3 cups
- Ground Beef: 1 pound (85% lean recommended)
- Cream Cheese: 8 ounces, softened and cut into pieces
- Yellow Onion: 1/2 cup, diced
- Rotel Tomatoes with Green Chilies: 15 ounces (for a mild version, substitute with canned tomatoes)
- Taco Seasoning: 2 tablespoons
- Ranch Seasoning: 1 tablespoon homemade or 2 teaspoons store-bought
- Cilantro: 1 tablespoon, chopped
- Olive Oil: 2 teaspoons
Optional Toppings:
- Diced avocado
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sliced black olives
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat until browned. Push the browned beef to one side of the pot.
- Sauté the Onion: Add olive oil to the pot, followed by the diced onion. Sauté the onion for a few minutes until it becomes translucent.
- Add Seasoning: Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and stir to coat the onions and beef. Toast the seasoning for about a minute to enhance its flavors.
- Add Tomatoes and Cream Cheese: Pour in the Rotel tomatoes with their liquid, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning, then stir until the cheese melts and everything is well combined.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour in the chicken or beef stock, stir, and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for about 20 minutes or until the soup reaches your desired thickness.
- Add Fresh Cilantro: Stir in the chopped cilantro for a fresh burst of flavor.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and add your favorite toppings—diced avocado, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, or black olives—to make the soup even more delicious.
Notes
- Adjust the Spice: For a milder soup, substitute the Rotel with green chilies for canned tomatoes without chilies.
- Optional Toppings: Adding a dollop of sour cream, avocado, or shredded cheddar cheese elevates the soup’s flavor. Fresh cilantro on top brings a nice, herby note to each spoonful.
Quick Tips
- Ground Beef Options: Using 85% lean ground beef strikes the right balance of flavor and texture, but feel free to use a leaner blend if desired.
- Ranch Seasoning: For a homemade touch, make your own ranch seasoning blend with dried parsley, dill, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Simmering for Texture: The soup will thicken as it simmers, so if you prefer a lighter texture, feel free to add a bit more broth as needed.
Why You’ll Love This Soup
This Taco Soup combines the best of taco flavors in a comforting, creamy soup that’s as easy to make as it is satisfying. The creamy base, spicy kick, and array of toppings make it an instant hit, whether served on a chilly evening or for a casual gathering. Customize the toppings and adjust the spice level to make it your own!
Warm up with a bowl of this hearty Taco Soup, and enjoy a burst of flavors in every spoonful. From the creamy cheese to the perfectly spiced ground beef, it’s a meal that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.