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Creamy Slow Cooker Taco Soup with Ranch

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A thick, comforting slow cooker soup featuring ground beef, beans, and taco seasoning, finished with a creamy ranch dressing mix and melted cheese for a rich, tangy flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (about 2–3 tablespoons)
  • 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix (1 ounce)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
  • Sour cream, for serving (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains (5-7 minutes), then drain excess fat.
  2. Transfer the browned beef to a 6-quart slow cooker insert.
  3. Add taco seasoning, dry ranch dressing mix, diced tomatoes (with juices), black beans, pinto beans, corn, and chicken broth to the slow cooker.
  4. Stir well to distribute the dry mixes evenly among the ingredients.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. Avoid stirring frequently during cooking to prevent clumping.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in half of the shredded cheese and let it melt into the soup to thicken it.
  7. Ladle into bowls and top with remaining cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with crusty bread or tortilla chips.

Notes

[‘Browning the beef beforehand adds significant depth of flavor via the Maillard reaction; skipping this step may result in a boiled taste.’, ‘Rinsing canned beans is essential to remove starchy liquid that can make the soup gummy.’, ‘Use dry ranch mix, not wet dressing, to ensure proper consistency.’, ‘If the soup is too thin, cook uncovered on HIGH for the last 30 minutes. If too thick, add a splash of broth.’, ‘Cheese may separate upon reheating; stir in a splash of milk to restore creaminess.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, taco soup, ranch dressing, ground beef, comfort food, easy dinner, one pot meal, creamy soup

Find it online: https://bakebeam.com/creamy-slow-cooker-taco-soup-with-ranch/