Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for browning beef and cooking the soup base with plenty of room to stir.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for breaking up ground beef and stirring ingredients while cooking.
Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
Sharp Knife: Used to dice onions and mince garlic quickly and safely.
Colander or Strainer: Helpful for draining excess grease from the cooked ground beef.
Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for the best flavor.
Easy Instructions For Creamy Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Soup Recipe
Brown the Beef Start by heating your pot and sizzling the ground beef until it's nicely caramelized, breaking it into small, delicious crumbles.
Tame the Grease Carefully drain away any extra fat, keeping those rich beef flavors intact.
Build the Base Toss in diced onions and minced garlic, letting them dance and soften, releasing their aromatic magic into the pot.
Create the Soup Pour in chicken broth and water, then sprinkle in taco seasoning to give your soup a zesty southwestern kick.
Add the Veggies Stir in corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes, letting them mingle and create a colorful, vibrant mixture.
Simmer and Blend Let everything bubble gently, allowing the flavors to become best friends and develop a deep, complex taste.
Melt in the Cheese Stir in cream cheese and shredded cheddar, watching them transform the soup into a creamy, luxurious comfort meal.
Final Touch Top with fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and crispy tortilla strips for a restaurant-worthy finish that'll make everyone's taste buds dance.
Tasty Tips For Creamy Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Soup Recipe
Quick Meat Draining Trick: Use a colander lined with paper towels to quickly and effectively drain excess fat from ground beef without losing any meat.
Spice Level Adjustment: Customize heat by adding more or less chili powder, or include diced jalapeños for extra kick without overwhelming the soup's creamy texture.
Low-Carb Transformation: Replace beans with cauliflower or zucchini chunks to reduce carbohydrates while maintaining the soup's hearty consistency and flavor profile.
Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap regular cheese with dairy-free cheese alternatives or nutritional yeast to create a lactose-free version that still delivers rich, cheesy taste.
Meal Prep Magic: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in individual portion containers for quick, convenient meals that taste just as delicious when reheated.
Serving Creamy Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Soup Recipe Made Simple
Party Platter Paradise: Serve this soup in small bowls during game nights or casual gatherings, allowing guests to customize with extra toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro.
Hearty Family Meal Companion: Pair the soup with warm cornbread, tortilla chips, or a crisp green salad to create a complete and satisfying dinner experience that fills everyone's belly.
Meal Prep Magic: Portion the soup into meal-prep containers for easy lunch options during the work week, ensuring a delicious and convenient meal that stays fresh for 3-4 days when refrigerated.
Southwestern Comfort Bowl: Top the soup with crushed tortilla chips, a dollop of guacamole, and a sprinkle of green onions to elevate the dish and add exciting layers of texture and flavor.
Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare this soup in larger quantities and divide into individual portion containers. Refrigerate for quick meals throughout the week, staying fresh up to 4 days.
Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Cool the soup completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Sealed tightly, the soup maintains excellent quality for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor.
Reheating Magic: Warm the soup gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of broth if the soup seems too thick after refrigeration. Microwave works well for single servings, heating in 1-minute intervals and stirring between each.
Storage Container Tips: Use glass or BPA-free plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing. Label containers with the date and contents to track freshness and rotation.
Ground beef taco soup delivers a robust Mexican-inspired meal perfect for chilly evenings. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a satisfying dinner that leaves you craving another spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb (500 g) ground beef
1.5 cups (150 g) shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz/400 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 cup (150 g) corn kernels
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet (30 g) taco seasoning
4 cups (1 liter) beef broth
0.5 cup (120 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Sliced jalapenos
Diced avocado
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Tortilla chips or strips
Sour cream
Extra shredded cheese
Instructions
Meat Preparation: Sear ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, methodically breaking down the meat until it caramelizes to a rich brown, then drain excess fat while preserving the meat’s robust flavor.
Aromatic Base: Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until they soften and release their fragrant essence, then generously coat the beef with taco seasoning.
Flavor Building: Introduce diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn into the pot, creating a vibrant, textural medley that promises depth and complexity.
Liquid Integration: Stream chicken broth over the ingredients, ensuring complete submersion, then reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, enabling flavors to intertwine and intensify.
Creamy Transformation: Fold in cream cheese and shredded cheese, stirring until they melt completely and elevate the soup to a luxuriously smooth consistency.
Final Touches: Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper to taste, then ladle the steaming soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream for an extra layer of culinary indulgence.
Notes
Control Meat Fat: Drain excess fat carefully to maintain flavor intensity without making the soup greasy, using a tilted pan or paper towel method.
Cheese Melting Technique: Add cream cheese and shredded cheese gradually, stirring continuously to prevent clumping and ensure smooth, silky texture.
Spice Balance: Adjust taco seasoning based on preference – homemade blends offer more control over salt and heat levels compared to pre-packaged mixes.
Dietary Modification: Swap ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option, or use plant-based meat alternatives for vegetarian version; use low-fat cheese for reduced-calorie adaptation.
Nutritional Analysis, Dietary Accommodations, Food Writing and Blogging,
Education
University of Texas at Austin
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.
Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY
Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.
Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.
Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.
Olivia Bennett
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Nutritional Analysis, Dietary Accommodations, Food Writing and Blogging,
Education
University of Texas at Austin
Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY
Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.
Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.