Description
This easy creamy taco soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines seasoned ground beef, savory broth, and melted cream cheese to create a rich and hearty meal. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s customizable with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, cilantro, and tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey, or vegetarian option)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Fresh cilantro
- Tortilla chips
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once done, drain any excess fat to keep the soup from being greasy.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the browned meat. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onion becomes soft and translucent, enhancing the soup’s flavor base.
- Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: Stir in the packet of taco seasoning thoroughly, then add the can of diced tomatoes with their juices. Mix everything well to combine the flavors evenly throughout the mixture.
- Pour in the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and raise the heat to bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook gently for about 10 minutes, allowing all the ingredients to meld and develop a rich taste.
- Add Cream Cheese: Cut the softened cream cheese into chunks and stir them into the hot soup. Continue stirring until the cream cheese melts completely and blends into the broth, creating a smooth, creamy texture.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your choice of optional garnishes such as shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, crunchy tortilla chips, or a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for extra flavor and creaminess. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious creamy taco soup.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative for different dietary preferences.
- If you prefer a spicier soup, add some chopped jalapeños or hot sauce during the sauté step.
- To make this soup gluten-free, ensure the taco seasoning and broth are certified gluten-free.
- Leftover soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
- For a thicker consistency, reduce the broth quantity or simmer the soup longer before adding cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
