Description
This comforting Queso Soup features a flavorful blend of ground beef or sausage, sautéed vegetables, aromatic spices, and a creamy mixture of cheeses, making it a perfect warm meal for any occasion. With a smooth, cheesy broth enriched by cream cheese, cheddar, and mild green chiles, this soup offers a hearty Tex-Mex inspired taste that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef or sausage
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Liquids
- 4 cups beef or vegetable broth
Dairy and Cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (4 ounces) mild green chiles
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Thickener
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Garnishes (Optional)
- Additional shredded cheddar cheese
- Diced fresh tomatoes
- Chopped green onions
- Chopped avocado
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a 4-quart Dutch oven or stock pot, cook the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease to keep the soup from becoming too oily.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook and stir for 5-6 minutes until the onion softens and the vegetables are fragrant.
- Add Spices and Broth: Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and let it cook gently for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Melt Cheese: Remove the lid and add the softened cream cheese, mild green chiles, and shredded cheddar cheese. Whisk vigorously until all the cheeses are completely melted and the soup becomes smooth and creamy.
- Thicken Soup (Optional): For a thicker consistency, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water until dissolved. Stir this slurry into the soup and cook briefly until it thickens to your liking.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with extra shredded cheddar, fresh tomatoes, green onions, or chopped avocado for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- If you prefer a spicier soup, use hot green chiles instead of mild.
- To make this soup vegetarian, use vegetable broth and substitute ground meat with plant-based crumbles or extra beans.
- Be careful not to overcook after adding the cream cheese to avoid curdling.
- The soup thickens more as it cools, so adjust the cornstarch accordingly if serving later.
