Creamy Cowboy Soup Recipe
Creamy Cowboy Soup is a hearty and comforting dish packed with ground beef, vegetables, beans, and a blend of spices, all simmered together in a flavorful broth and finished with creamy cheese for a satisfying meal perfect for chilly days.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
Vegetables and Spices
- 1 cup diced potatoes (peeled or unpeeled)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Dairy and Garnishes
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Sliced green onions
- Extra shredded cheese
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess grease from the pot to avoid a greasy soup.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the browned beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions are softened and the garlic is fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Build the Soup Base: Stir in the beef broth, diced tomatoes with juice, whole kernel corn, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and diced potatoes. Add smoked paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix everything well to combine the flavors.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Make It Creamy: Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half and shredded cheddar cheese. Continue cooking the soup for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is fully melted and the soup takes on a creamy, rich texture.
- Serve & Enjoy: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with sliced green onions, extra shredded cheddar cheese, or crushed tortilla chips to add texture and flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy the cozy, comforting taste of cowboy soup.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the soup will be less thick.
- Use vegetarian broth and omit beef to make a vegetarian-friendly version.
- Add jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat if desired.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste great reheated.
- This soup also freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: cowboy soup, creamy beef soup, beef and bean soup, hearty soup recipe, southwestern soup