Description
Creamy Cowboy Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for cozy weeknights. Packed with ground beef, vegetables, beans, and potatoes, this soup is enriched with creamy cheese and heavy cream to provide a comforting and satisfying meal. It’s easy to prepare in one pot, making it ideal for busy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 lb Ground Beef (or turkey or meat alternative)
Vegetables
- 1 large Onion (yellow or white)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 cup Corn (canned or frozen)
- 15 oz Black Beans (drained and rinsed if canned)
- 2 medium Potatoes (Yukon Gold or russet, diced small)
Liquids
- 4 cups Beef Broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
- 14.5 oz Diced Tomatoes (canned with juice)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tbsp Chili Powder (adjust for heat preference)
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Salt (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black Pepper (adjust to taste)
Dairy
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (fresh preferred)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until fully browned. Drain excess grease to keep the soup from becoming oily.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, building the flavor base.
- Add Broth and Vegetables: Pour in beef broth along with diced tomatoes (including juice), corn, black beans, and diced potatoes. Mix in smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper thoroughly.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.
- Make it Creamy: Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Continue cooking for 5 more minutes, until the cheese melts completely and the soup becomes creamy and luscious.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with sliced green onions, extra cheese, or tortilla chips as desired. Serve hot to enjoy a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative for a lighter or vegetarian option.
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut milk instead of heavy cream and skip or use a vegan cheese alternative for cheddar.
- Adjust chili powder to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stove.
- Adding tortilla chips or cornbread on the side complements the southwestern flavors beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: creamy cowboy soup, ground beef soup, hearty soup recipe, easy weeknight dinner, southwestern soup, cheesy soup, comforting soup
