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This 30-minute taco soup recipe is loaded with ground beef, flavorful taco spices, corn, beans, and has a completely irresistible creamy broth! It’s quick and easy to make.
If you like these flavors, you may also enjoy my Easy Chicken Taco Soup or Simple Taco Seasoning Recipe next.
Why you’ll love it
This creamy beef taco soup comes together easily and there isn’t too much preparation needed, making it great for busy weeknights. Everyone can choose their own toppings, so it’s sure to be a hit in your family. You get all the best taco vibes! I know there are a LOT of versions out there, but I think you’ll like my taco soup recipe with a creamy twist the best.
This is easily my favorite taco soup recipe that I’ve made so far. Adding cream cheese to soup gives the perfect amount of tanginess and creaminess! As the air begins to get a chill, I find myself turning to this soup for taco night instead of actual tacos. It’s just so warming and cozy for soup season.
What you’ll need
- Ground beef – I like to use at least 90% lean
- Red bell pepper – it adds a touch of veggie sweetness
- Rotel tomatoes – grab a can of these tomatoes with mild green chilies
- Chicken broth – to start the base of the soup off right
- Seasoning – my homemade taco seasoning blend for this soup has garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder
- Corn and black beans – I keep cans of them in my pantry at all times for this soup since they’re so convenient
- Cream cheese – for that creamy, luscious quality. Philadelphia is my go-to. I suggest taking the cream cheese out of the fridge to let it soften up ASAP. It takes a lot longer for it to incorporate into the soup when it goes in cold.
Taco soup toppings
- For an irresistible crunch, try tortilla strips or chips.
- Some of my go-to fresh toppings include diced avocado, scallions, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- You can’t go wrong with cheese. Cheddar or a Tex-Mex blend is my recommendation!
How to make taco soup
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Brown the beef in a large soup pot. Drain the excess fat if there’s any. Add all the ingredients apart from the cream cheese and salt & pepper. Bring it to a boil, and then simmer gently. Prep your toppings.
Cut the cream cheese into smaller pieces and add it into the soup. Stir it in until completely melted. Season with salt & pepper, portion it out, and add the toppings!
Substitutions and variations
- This soup isn’t spicy if you use mild Rotel tomatoes with green chilies. You can buy the spicy kind or add some cayenne pepper if you want to make this a spicy taco soup, though.
- Our kitchen recommends trying the homemade seasoning blend, but you could swap out a packet of premade taco seasoning in a pinch. Just keep in mind those normally already contain salt.
- You can use beef broth if that’s all you’ve got, but the soup will turn out a darker color. Low-sodium broth is fine as well.
- If using regular diced tomatoes rather than Rotel, I suggest adding a can of diced green chilies to the soup because they add a ton of flavor. You can buy mild ones if you don’t like spice.
What to serve with creamy taco soup
- Along with all the suggested toppings above, it’s a complete meal on its own! A dinner roll or a slice of crusty bread would be a welcome addition, though.
- If you’re making it for taco night, you can’t go wrong with chips and Homemade Guacamole for the table.
- Craving soup and salad? Try mixed greens with my Chipotle Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing, or make this delicious Black Bean Corn Avocado Salad with Rice.
Leftovers and storage
- Any leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
- Warm them up in a pot over a low heat and slowly, giving it a stir every so often.
- This isn’t a soup that freezes great because of the cream cheese. It can get grainy when reheated. If you do want to make it ahead and freeze it, I suggest adding the cream cheese after it’s thawed.
Will you give this simple taco soup recipe a try? Questions? Ask me in the comments below, and I’d love it if you left a review! You can also tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram.
Creamy Taco Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 (10 ounce) cans Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies with juices
- 1 (14 ounce) can black beans drained & rinsed
- 1 (12 ounce) can corn drained
- 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 8 ounces cream cheese (I used Philly) softened, see note
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Toppings (optional): grated cheddar, avocado, cilantro, tortilla strips, etc.
Instructions
- Add the ground beef to a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Brown it, breaking it up with your spoon as you go along, for about 10 minutes. If there's excess fat, spoon most of it out.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pot except for the cream cheese and salt & pepper.
- Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Turn down the heat so it's simmering gently, uncovered, for 8 minutes. While the soup cooks, prep your toppings.
- Cut the cream cheese into smaller pieces and add it to the soup. Let it melt in (you may have to stir it a fair bit until it's fully dissolved). Season the soup with salt & pepper and serve with toppings as desired.
Notes
- The cream cheese for this recipe should be super soft so it melts into the soup easily. I recommend taking it out of the fridge prior to starting the recipe and then microwaving it in 20-30 second intervals until it’s very soft.
- You can use beef broth instead of chicken broth if you don’t mind the soup being a darker color. If you have any concerns with salt, use low-salt broth.
- If you want to make this soup spicy, add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
- If you’re not using Rotel diced tomatoes, you can use regular ones, but I suggest adding a can or two of diced green chilies as well (the 4 oz. size ones) since it really makes a difference in the way the soup tastes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This recipe was originally published on September 24, 2019. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!
I made this creamy taco soup last night and it was delicious. I accidentally bought creamed corn instead of kernels, used it anyway and it added a bit of sweetness. I will definitely make this again.
Awesome!! 😀 Glad it worked out, Lisa!
Thank you for sharing this recipe! Made this last night with ground chicken and Greek yogurt to lighten it up a bit and it was a keeper! The recipe has the perfect blend of spices and flavor. Fabulous!
So glad you liked it!! 😀
I was going to make this and was wondering if whipped cream cheese would work? That’s all I have on hand at the moment.
Hi! I think that will work.
Any way to throw this all in the instantpot?
I don’t see why not. I’d add the cream cheese in after releasing the pressure, though.
Can I swap coconut milk for the cream cheese?
You could, but it’ll definitely alter the flavor. I’d probably go with something like vegan sour cream. You want that tanginess.
I found you about a month ago and your recipes are simply OUTSTANDING! They are simple and quick and SO DELISH!
I retired last year as a national sales manager for a food manufacturer and wanted to keep the good food scenarios coming! You have done just that ! THANK YOU!
I’m so glad you found me, Sue! 😀 I’m thrilled you’re enjoying my recipes. Thank you!!
I’ve made this quite a few times and it’s always a hit! The only thing I did different tonight was made some yellow rice for it to go over and it was awesome! Add some diced jalapeños on top and you’ve got yourself a yummy dinner.
I’m so happy it’s a favorite!! 😀
I made this after having made the creamy chicken version. This was just as good! I added some jalapeños for heat as I was out of cayenne. Another home run from S&L!
Yay!! 😀 Thank you! That makes me happy!
This was so good!! Growing up my mom always made it seem like soups had to simmer foreverrr for the flavors to meld, so I’m always a little wary of soups that come together quickly-but this is amazing! Comes together super easily and is SO flavorful. Very excited to eat this when it gets colder out.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!! 😀 Thanks for your review!
Its a high of 105 here in Kansas today and I made this in the crock pot because I did not want to heat the house up. I browned the hamburger ahead of time. Then put it in the crock pot with everything except the beans and cream cheese and set it on low so gets hot and flavors mend. I’m glad dinner will be effortless tonight.
I’m so glad you were able to adapt it for the slow cooker. Stay cool!
Super yummy! We cook this one a lot and love it every time.
I’m so glad it’s a favorite! Thanks for your comment! 🙂
This is such a welcome co fort soup, especially on a cold wet day! Thank you!
You’re very welcome!! 🙂