Creamy Taco Soup (Printable Version)

A hearty bowl loaded with seasoned beef, vegetables, and creamy cheese perfect for cold weather.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
06 - 1 can (14 oz) sweet corn, drained
07 - 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Dairy

09 - ¾ cup plus 2 tbsp heavy cream
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Liquids

11 - 3 cups chicken or beef broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

12 - 2 tbsp taco seasoning
13 - 1 tsp ground cumin
14 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
15 - ½ tsp chili powder
16 - ½ tsp salt
17 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

18 - Sour cream
19 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - Crushed tortilla chips
21 - Lime wedges

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Cook ground beef in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in taco seasoning, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, corn, black beans, and broth. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavors.
06 - Lower heat, then stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Cook for 2–3 minutes until cheese melts and soup becomes creamy. Avoid boiling after adding dairy.
07 - Adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle into bowls and top with green onions, extra cheese, and desired toppings.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is almost nonexistent
  • The creamy base comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
  • Its infinitely adaptable to whatever you have in your pantry
02 -
  • Do not let the soup boil after adding the cream or it will separate and look curdled
  • Store bought taco seasoning can be surprisingly salty, so taste before adding extra salt
  • The soup thickens as it sits, so thin it with a splash of broth when reheating leftovers
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded, it melts infinitely better
  • Let the soup rest for 5 minutes off heat before serving, the flavors settle beautifully
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