One-Pot Queso Taco Soup with Ground Beef
A rich and cheesy taco-inspired soup combining ground beef, diced tomatoes, and melted queso for a satisfying keto dinner. This mexican-inspired keto (low-carb) ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, medium yellow onion, diced, beef broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (no sugar added)
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown 1 lb ground beef with 1 medium diced yellow onion, cooking for 6-8 minutes until beef is no longer pink and onions are translucent. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Add 4 cups beef broth, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in 4 oz cubed cream cheese until melted and smooth.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and stir for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts into the soup.
- Step 5: Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Queso Taco Soup with Ground Beef take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Queso Taco Soup with Ground Beef?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Queso Taco Soup with Ground Beef?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Queso Taco Soup with Ground Beef for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is One-Pot Queso Taco Soup with Ground Beef low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
