Taco Soup Ground Beef Easy: Delicious & Simple Recipe

Taco Soup Ground Beef Easy: Craving a bowl of warm, comforting goodness that explodes with flavor and comes together in a flash? Look no further! This recipe for Taco Soup Ground Beef Easy is your answer to a delicious, satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. Imagine sinking your spoon into a rich, savory broth brimming with seasoned ground beef, tender beans, sweet corn, and zesty tomatoes – all topped with your favorite taco fixings.

While the exact origins of taco soup are debated, its popularity soared in the United States as a convenient and customizable way to enjoy the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine. It’s a dish that embodies the spirit of resourcefulness and adaptability, allowing home cooks to use readily available ingredients to create a hearty and flavorful meal. Think of it as a deconstructed taco, transformed into a soul-warming soup!

People adore this dish for its incredible taste, satisfying texture, and unparalleled convenience. It’s a one-pot wonder that minimizes cleanup and maximizes flavor. The combination of savory ground beef, hearty beans, and sweet corn creates a symphony of textures and tastes that will tantalize your taste buds. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile – you can easily customize it to your liking with different toppings and spice levels. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this Taco Soup Ground Beef Easy recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. So, grab your ingredients, and let’s get cooking!

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (like Rotel), undrained
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning
• 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch dressing mix
• 4 cups beef broth
• Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, tortilla chips, cilantro

Browning the Beef and Sautéing Vegetables

Okay, let’s get started! The first step is to brown our ground beef. This is crucial for developing a rich, savory flavor in our taco soup. Don’t skip this step!

1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, over medium-high heat, add your ground beef. Break it up with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. You want to make sure it’s evenly browned.
2. Drain Excess Grease: Once the ground beef is fully browned, carefully drain off any excess grease. Nobody wants a greasy soup! I usually tilt the pot and use a spoon to hold back the beef while pouring the grease into a heat-safe container. Let the grease cool completely before disposing of it properly.
3. Sauté the Onion and Bell Pepper: Now, add your chopped onion and green bell pepper to the pot with the browned ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and translucent. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Sautéing the vegetables releases their natural sweetness and adds another layer of flavor to the soup. You’ll know they’re ready when the onion starts to look clear and the bell pepper is slightly tender.

Adding the Beans, Corn, and Tomatoes

Now comes the fun part – adding all the delicious ingredients that make this soup a taco fiesta in a bowl!

1. Add the Beans: Pour in your rinsed and drained black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Rinsing the beans helps remove excess starch and reduces the chance of any, ahem, digestive discomfort later on.
2. Add the Corn: Add the drained whole kernel corn. I prefer using canned corn for convenience, but you could also use frozen corn (thawed) or even fresh corn kernels if you have them on hand.
3. Add the Tomatoes: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel). Don’t drain them! The liquid adds flavor and helps create the soup base. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can use mild Rotel or substitute with plain diced tomatoes.
4. Add the Tomato Sauce: Add the tomato sauce. This will help thicken the soup and add a rich tomato flavor.

Seasoning and Simmering the Soup

This is where the magic happens! The taco seasoning and ranch dressing mix are the secret ingredients that give this soup its signature taco flavor. And the beef broth ties everything together.

1. Add the Taco Seasoning and Ranch Dressing Mix: Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and ranch dressing mix. Stir well to combine, ensuring that the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the soup.
2. Add the Beef Broth: Pour in the beef broth. Stir everything together to make sure all the ingredients are well combined.
3. Simmer the Soup: Bring the soup to a simmer over medium heat. Once it’s simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together and the richer the soup will become. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Serving and Topping Your Taco Soup

The moment we’ve all been waiting for! It’s time to serve up this delicious taco soup and load it up with all your favorite toppings.

1. Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, give the soup a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add a little more taco seasoning for extra flavor, or a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
2. Serve Hot: Ladle the hot taco soup into bowls.
3. Add Your Favorite Toppings: Now for the best part – the toppings! Here are some of my favorite toppings for taco soup:
   • Shredded cheddar cheese
   • Sour cream
   • Avocado (diced or sliced)
   • Tortilla chips (crushed or whole)
   • Fresh cilantro (chopped)
   • Diced red onion
   • A dollop of salsa
   • A squeeze of lime juice

   Feel free to get creative and add any other toppings you love!

Tips and Variations

Want to customize your taco soup? Here are a few ideas:

• Make it spicier: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or use hot Rotel for a spicier kick.
• Add more vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or celery.
• Use different beans: Experiment with different types of beans, such as great northern beans or cannellini beans.
• Make it vegetarian: Omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You can also add more beans or vegetables to make it more filling.
• Slow Cooker Taco Soup: This recipe can easily be adapted for the slow cooker. Simply brown the ground beef and then add all the ingredients to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
• Instant Pot Taco Soup: For a quick and easy meal, you can also make this soup in the Instant Pot. Brown the ground beef using the sauté function, then add all the remaining ingredients. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then a quick release.
• Freezing Taco Soup: Taco soup freezes beautifully! Let the soup cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Storing Leftovers

Leftover taco soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together!

Serving Suggestions

Taco soup is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of cornbread, a grilled cheese sandwich, or a simple salad.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

* Calories: Approximately 350-450 per serving (without toppings)
* Protein: 25-35 grams
* Fat: 15-25 grams
* Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams

Enjoy your delicious and easy taco soup! I hope you love it as much as I do!

Conclusion:

And there you have it! This Taco Soup Ground Beef Easy recipe is truly a game-changer for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. I genuinely believe this is a must-try for anyone who loves the vibrant flavors of tacos but wants a comforting, one-pot meal that requires minimal effort. The beauty of this soup lies in its simplicity and adaptability. It’s packed with protein from the ground beef, fiber from the beans and corn, and a burst of flavor from the taco seasoning and diced tomatoes. What’s not to love?

But the reasons to try this recipe extend beyond just convenience and taste. It’s also incredibly budget-friendly. Ground beef is often an affordable protein source, and the other ingredients are pantry staples that most of us usually have on hand. Plus, it makes a large batch, perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers for lunch the next day. I often find myself making a double batch just so I can freeze some for future meals – it’s that good!

Now, let’s talk serving suggestions and variations because that’s where the real fun begins! I personally love topping my bowl of Taco Soup Ground Beef Easy with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a creamy tang. A sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese is always a welcome addition, and a few crushed tortilla chips add a satisfying crunch. For those who like a little heat, a drizzle of hot sauce or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes will kick things up a notch.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can easily customize this recipe to suit your preferences. Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Add other vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or onions for extra nutrients and flavor. Use different types of beans, such as black beans or kidney beans, to change the texture and taste. You could even add a can of diced green chilies for a smoky flavor.

Another variation I enjoy is adding a can of Rotel tomatoes with green chilies for an extra layer of spice and flavor. If you’re short on time, you can even use pre-cooked ground beef or shredded chicken to speed up the cooking process. The possibilities are endless!

I truly encourage you to give this Taco Soup Ground Beef Easy recipe a try. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s both delicious and easy to make. I’m confident that it will become a staple in your recipe rotation, just like it has in mine.

Once you’ve made it, I’d absolutely love to hear about your experience! Did you make any modifications? What toppings did you use? What did your family think? Share your thoughts and photos in the comments below. I’m always eager to learn from your culinary adventures and see how you’ve made this recipe your own. Happy cooking, and I hope you enjoy every spoonful of this flavorful and comforting soup! Don’t forget to rate the recipe if you loved it!