Why Make This Recipe
Creamy Beef Taco Soup is a hearty and delicious dish that’s perfect for families or casual gatherings. It’s easy to prepare, filling, and packed with flavors everyone will love. The ingredients are simple, and you probably have most of them in your kitchen already. Plus, it’s a one-pot meal, making clean-up a breeze. This soup is warm and comforting, great for chilly evenings, and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
How to Make Creamy Beef Taco Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 (10-ounce) cans diced tomatoes or Ro-tel
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilis
- 1 (15.25-ounce) can corn, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 packet)
- 1.5 ounces ranch seasoning (1 packet)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- Olives (optional, for garnish)
- Diced tomatoes (optional, for garnish)
- Diced avocados (optional, for garnish)
- Chopped cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- Corn chips (optional, for garnish)
- Sour cream (optional, for garnish)
Directions:
- Dice the onion finely. In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef along with the diced onions until the meat is fully cooked and the onions are soft and translucent. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Drain and rinse the cans of corn and beans thoroughly to reduce excess sodium and improve texture. Place the cooked beef and onions into the slow cooker, then add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes or Ro-tel, diced green chilis, corn, kidney beans, black beans, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, and chicken broth. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly.
- About 20 minutes before you plan to serve the soup, add the room temperature cream cheese to the slow cooker. Replace the lid and allow it to soften and blend with the soup. Stir thoroughly until the cream cheese has fully melted and incorporated into the soup, giving it a smooth and creamy texture.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your preferred optional toppings such as olives, diced tomatoes, diced avocados, chopped cilantro, corn chips, and a dollop of sour cream for added flavor and texture.
How to Serve Creamy Beef Taco Soup
Serve the soup hot in bowls. You can offer toppings like olives, diced tomatoes, avocados, cilantro, corn chips, and sour cream on the side. This way, everyone can customize their bowl to their liking. It pairs well with crusty bread or tortillas for a complete meal.
How to Store Creamy Beef Taco Soup
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about three to four days. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or on the stove until heated through. You can also freeze the soup. Place it in a freezer-safe container, and it will last for about three months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips to Make Creamy Beef Taco Soup
- For extra flavor, you can sauté some garlic with the onions and beef.
- If you like it spicy, add some jalapeños or hot sauce to the mixture.
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
- Experiment with different beans or vegetables based on what you have or prefer.
Variation
You can easily customize this soup by adding more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. You might also try adding different seasonings or using a different type of cheese for more flavor.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based meat alternative for a lighter or vegetarian option.
Is it necessary to use cream cheese?
While cream cheese adds creaminess, you can leave it out if you want a lighter soup. You can also use a dairy-free alternative if you are avoiding dairy.
Can I make this soup on the stovetop?
Yes, you can. Just cook the beef and onions in a pot, then add the other ingredients and simmer for about 30 minutes until everything is heated through and flavors meld.
Creamy Beef Taco Soup
A hearty and delicious one-pot meal that’s perfect for families, packed with flavors and customizable toppings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Flexible
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 (10-ounce) cans diced tomatoes or Ro-tel
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilis
- 1 (15.25-ounce) can corn, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 packet)
- 1.5 ounces ranch seasoning (1 packet)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- Olives (optional, for garnish)
- Diced tomatoes (optional, for garnish)
- Diced avocados (optional, for garnish)
- Chopped cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- Corn chips (optional, for garnish)
- Sour cream (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Dice the onion finely. In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef along with the diced onions until the meat is fully cooked and the onions are soft and translucent. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Drain and rinse the cans of corn and beans thoroughly to reduce excess sodium and improve texture. Place the cooked beef and onions into the slow cooker, then add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes or Ro-tel, diced green chilis, corn, kidney beans, black beans, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, and chicken broth. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly.
- About 20 minutes before you plan to serve the soup, add the room temperature cream cheese to the slow cooker. Replace the lid and allow it to soften and blend with the soup. Stir thoroughly until the cream cheese has fully melted and incorporated into the soup, giving it a smooth and creamy texture.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your preferred optional toppings such as olives, diced tomatoes, diced avocados, chopped cilantro, corn chips, and a dollop of sour cream for added flavor and texture.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for about 3-4 days in the fridge, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
