Creamy Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Soup: The Ultimate Cozy Comfort Bowl

When comfort food meets Tex-Mex flavors, you get a bowl full of joy — Creamy Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Soup. It’s hearty, rich, and loaded with everything you love about tacos — seasoned beef, melted cheese, and a hint of spice — all transformed into a creamy, soul-warming soup.

Whether you’re cozying up on a chilly night or craving something satisfying and cheesy after a long day, this easy one-pot taco soup hits all the right notes. It’s creamy, cheesy, zesty, and ready in under an hour.

Why You’ll Love This Soup

This soup is everything you want in a weeknight meal — quick to prepare, filling, family-friendly, and full of flavor. With its combination of creamy cheese, seasoned ground beef, and taco-inspired spices, it feels indulgent yet simple enough for any night of the week.

Here’s why it stands out:

• One Pot Wonder: Easy prep and minimal cleanup.
• Thick & Creamy: Made with cream cheese and shredded cheddar for that rich, luscious texture.
• Customizable: Add your favorite taco toppings — sour cream, avocado, tortilla strips, or jalapeños.
• Hearty & Satisfying: Packed with protein and veggies for a complete meal.
• Kid-Friendly: Cheesy, mild, and comforting — a guaranteed family favorite.

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup heavy cream (or milk)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: ¼ tsp chili powder or smoked paprika for extra depth

For Serving:

• Sour cream
• Fresh cilantro
• Diced avocado
• Shredded cheese
• Lime wedges
• Tortilla chips or strips

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

1. Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add ground beef and cook until browned and crumbly, about 6–7 minutes.
3. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 2: Add Aromatics and Seasonings

4. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
5. Stir in taco seasoning and cook for another minute to bloom the spices.

Step 3: Build the Base

6. Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes with green chiles, corn, and black beans.
7. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 4: Make It Creamy

8. Reduce heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese in small chunks, stirring until melted and smooth.
9. Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar until the soup becomes thick and creamy.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra chili powder.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

11. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes — a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips.
12. Serve warm with lime wedges on the side for brightness.

Creamy Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Soup

A rich, creamy, and cheesy taco soup loaded with ground beef, black beans, corn, and Tex-Mex spices — the ultimate one-pot comfort food.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 bowls

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired

Calories: 460

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Soup Base

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade
• 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles 10 oz
• 2 cups beef broth
• 4 oz cream cheese softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup heavy cream or milk
• salt and pepper to taste

Optional Toppings

• sour cream
• chopped cilantro
• tortilla chips
• diced avocado

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon
• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife

Method

 

1. Brown ground beef in a large pot until crumbly. Drain excess fat.
2. Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened.
3. Stir in taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add broth, diced tomatoes, corn, and black beans. Simmer 10 minutes.
5. Reduce heat and stir in cream cheese until melted.
6. Add heavy cream and cheddar; stir until smooth and creamy.
7. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Notes

For a lighter soup, use ground turkey and low-fat cream cheese. Add crushed tortilla chips to thicken if desired.

Tips for Perfect Creamy Taco Soup

1. Use Full-Fat Dairy: It melts better and gives the soup a luxurious texture.
2. Don’t Boil After Adding Cheese: Keep the soup on low heat to prevent curdling.
3. For Extra Thickness: Simmer uncovered a few minutes longer, or add a handful of crushed tortilla chips directly into the pot.
4. Want More Heat? Stir in jalapeños or use spicy Rotel tomatoes.
5. Make It Lighter: Substitute ground turkey and light cream cheese.

Homemade Taco Seasoning (Optional)

If you’d rather skip the packet, mix together:

• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp oregano
• ¼ tsp cayenne (optional)
• 1 tsp salt

This blend is fresher, less salty, and completely customizable.

Variations

• Spicy Creamy Taco Soup: Add chipotle peppers in adobo or hot sauce.
• Low-Carb Version: Skip corn and beans; add diced zucchini or bell peppers.
• Double Cheese: Mix cheddar and pepper jack for a flavor boost.
• Chicken Taco Soup: Swap ground beef for shredded or ground chicken.
• Vegetarian Taco Soup: Replace beef with lentils or a plant-based meat substitute.

Serving Ideas

This soup pairs perfectly with:

• Cornbread muffins or cheesy quesadillas for dipping.
• A side salad with avocado and lime dressing.
• Fresh toppings bar — sour cream, chopped onions, or crushed tortilla chips for crunch.

For game day or cozy movie nights, serve it straight from the pot with a stack of tortilla chips on the side.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooled soup for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm gently over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth if it thickens too much.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Estimated for 6 servings:

• Calories: 460
• Protein: 27g
• Carbs: 12g
• Fat: 33g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 860mg

Why This Soup Is a Keeper

Creamy Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Soup isn’t just another soup — it’s a warm hug in a bowl. Every bite combines the essence of your favorite taco night with the creamy satisfaction of comfort food.

It’s fast, budget-friendly, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you serve it with chips, cornbread, or just a spoon, this soup will quickly earn a spot in your regular rotation.