Does the nightly dinner battle with your picky eaters leave you feeling worn out? I get it. I’ve been there more times than I can count, standing in the kitchen wondering if anyone will eat what I make without a fuss. That’s why I’m so excited to share our family’s new favorite: Creamy Fiesta Taco Soup.
This recipe is my weeknight superhero. It’s the one meal that gets a “yum” from everyone at the table, even my most stubborn critic. If you’re looking for more crowd-pleasing dinners, you should try our flavorful Greek chicken recipe.
It’s warm, comforting, and packed with familiar flavors they already love. Let me show you how this simple, cozy dish can bring peace to your dinner table, too.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Category: Soup
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (low) or 2 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (low setting)
- Servings: 6
Why Even My Picky Eaters Love This!
My kids go crazy for this soup, and I think it’s all about the texture and the cheesy, creamy broth. It’s not like a chunky, scary stew with big pieces of vegetables they might pick out.
Creamy Fiesta Taco Soup Recipe
Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List
How to Get the Kids Involved in Cooking This
PREPARATION
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Creamy Fiesta Taco Soup Recipe!
Nutrition Information
Instead, it’s smooth and inviting. The creamy base makes every spoonful feel like a warm hug, and the taco seasoning is a familiar, friendly flavor they recognize from their favorite tacos.
Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List
I promise, you won’t need to make a special trip to the store for this. These are all items I usually have in my pantry or can grab easily.
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 (1.25 oz) packet taco seasoning
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 (8 oz) block of cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup of your favorite salsa
How to Get the Kids Involved in Cooking This
Getting my kids to help in the kitchen is a game-changer. It makes them so much more excited to try the final product.
I give them simple, safe jobs that make them feel like little chefs. Their pride is just the sweetest thing to watch.
- Can Opener Duty: For older kids, let them be in charge of opening all the cans. It’s a big help and makes them feel important.
- Stirring Pro: Once everything is in the slow cooker, let them give it a few good stirs. Just make sure the crockpot is on the counter and cool to the touch when they do it.
PREPARATION
This is where the magic happens, and it could not be simpler. I love that I can just set it and forget it. For another easy, hands-off meal, check out our garlic parmesan cheeseburger bombs recipe.
The smell that fills the house as it cooks is absolutely amazing. It builds the anticipation for dinner all afternoon.
- First, brown your ground meat in a skillet over medium-high heat until it’s fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease.
- Transfer the cooked meat to your slow cooker. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat and give it a good stir to coat everything.
- Now, add in the whole can of corn (don’t drain it!), the rinsed black beans, the diced tomatoes with chilies, and the salsa.
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir everything together until it’s well combined.
- Place the whole block of softened cream cheese right on top of the soup mixture. Don’t stir it in yet!
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, remove the lid and stir the soup. The cream cheese will be soft and melty, and you can stir it in completely to create that creamy, dreamy broth.
- Ladle into bowls and serve with your favorite toppings!
Fun Twists for Different Tastes
One of the best things about this soup is how easily you can change it up. It’s perfect for pleasing a whole crowd with different preferences.
We often set up a “toppings bar” and let everyone build their own perfect bowl. It gives the kids a sense of control, which they love.
- For Sensitive Palates: If your little one is wary of spice, use a can of plain diced tomatoes instead of the tomatoes with green chilies. You can also use a mild salsa.
- For the Adults: Kick up the heat for the grown-ups by adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to individual bowls.
- To Make it a “Dip”: This soup is so thick and creamy, it makes an incredible dip for tortilla chips! Just serve it in a bowl surrounded by chips.
Storing & Reheating (Perfect for Busy Nights)
This soup is a lifesaver for meal prep. I often make a double batch so we have ready-made dinners for those extra-hectic nights.
Let the soup cool completely before storing it. It will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
When you’re ready to eat, reheat it gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring often. You can also reheat single portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
If the soup thickens up too much in the fridge, just add a splash of chicken broth or water when you reheat it to get back to the perfect soupy consistency.
Nutrition Notes
As a parent, I always feel better when I know what’s going into our meals. This soup is a great way to pack in protein and fiber.
- Protein-Packed: Thanks to the ground meat and black beans, this soup will help keep hungry bellies full.
- Good Source of Fiber: The beans and corn add a nice fiber boost, which is great for digestive health.
- Customizable: You can easily lighten it up by using ground turkey and reduced-fat cream cheese.
- Vitamins & Minerals: The tomatoes and salsa contribute Vitamin C and other nutrients.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat to follow this savory meal, you’ll love our soft and rich chocolate chip banana muffins.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make this on the stove instead of in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! After browning the meat, just add all the ingredients (except the cream cheese) to a large stockpot. Let it simmer for about 20-30 minutes for the flavors to blend. Then, turn the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese until it’s melted and smooth.
My soup is a bit thin. How can I thicken it?
No problem! You can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir this into the hot soup and let it cook for another 5-10 minutes until it thickens up.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
You can, but a heads-up: soups with dairy like cream cheese can sometimes separate a bit when thawed. It will still taste great, but the texture might be a little grainier. For the best quality, I recommend enjoying it from the fridge within a few days.
I really hope this creamy, dreamy soup becomes a star player in your dinner rotation just like it is in ours. It has saved my sanity on more than one busy evening.
I’d love to know if this was a hit with your family! Did your picky eaters ask for seconds? Please leave a comment and rating below!
