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Cozy 30-Minute Cheesy Taco Soup – Easy One-Pot Dinner

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This quick and easy cheesy taco soup comes together in just 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. It’s a creamy, comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to please a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 works well, or use ground turkey for a lighter option)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning (mild recommended)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained (or 1.5 cups frozen corn)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Optional toppings: tortilla chips or strips, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, sliced jalapeños, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef (5 minutes): Place your Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking the meat up with your wooden spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Leave about a tablespoon of fat for flavor.
  2. Bloom the Spices (1 minute): Add the minced garlic and the entire packet of taco seasoning. Stir constantly for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the Canned Goods (2 minutes): Pour in the drained black beans, drained corn, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and fire-roasted diced tomatoes. Stir to combine and let bubble for a minute.
  4. Pour in the Broth (1 minute): Add the 2 cups of beef broth. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  5. Simmer (10 minutes): Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
  6. Add the Cream Cheese (3 minutes): Reduce heat to low. Add the cubed cream cheese and stir constantly until completely melted and incorporated, about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Melt the Cheddar (2 minutes): Add the shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring after each addition until melted. Keep heat low. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Serve Immediately: Ladle the soup into bowls and let everyone add their desired toppings.

Notes

For best results, use full-fat cream cheese and cheddar. Soften cream cheese before adding. Do not boil after adding cheese to prevent graininess. Leftovers thicken upon refrigeration; reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk. Soup can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco soup, cheesy taco soup, 30-minute dinner, one-pot meal, ground beef soup, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, creamy taco soup

Find it online: https://bitesienna.com/cozy-30-minute-cheesy-taco-soup-easy-one-pot-dinner/