Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, if needed for cooking lean meat)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet keto-friendly taco seasoning (or homemade)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies (optional for extra heat)
- 1 cup beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, avocado, jalapeños, or green onions
Instructions:
- Cook the ground beef:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat (if using lean ground beef or turkey).
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
- Sauté the vegetables:
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
- Add the taco seasoning:
- Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for 1-2 minutes to bring out the flavors. If it’s too dry, you can add a little bit of water or broth to help the seasoning mix.
- Add liquids:
- Pour in the beef broth and drained diced tomatoes. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the heavy cream and cream cheese, and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cream cheese is fully incorporated and the soup is creamy.
- Melt in the cheese:
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the soup, stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the soup becomes thick and creamy.
- Simmer and adjust seasoning:
- Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed. Let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes on low heat for all the flavors to meld together.
- Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with additional shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, avocado slices, or jalapeños for extra flavor and a fresh kick.
Tips:
- Ground meat: You can easily swap ground beef with turkey, chicken, or even ground sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Add more veggies: For more bulk, you can add zucchini or cauliflower rice to keep it low-carb.
- Cream cheese: If you want an even creamier soup, you can add a little more cream cheese, or try adding some sour cream for extra richness.
Enjoy your Cheesy Keto Taco Soup—it’s a delicious, comforting meal that’s perfect for chilly days and packed with flavor!
