This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy.
Cheesy Taco Soup is a creamy and cheesy version of classic taco soup! Made with taco seasoned ground turkey, beans, corn, salsa, and the ‘secret ingredient’ Velveeta cheese makes this soup so smooth and creamy! Don’t forget all your favorite taco toppings to complete this great recipe for a busy night.
For a thicker and heartier version of classic taco soup be sure and try my Taco Chili and this Taco Ranch Chicken Chili.
Easy Cheesy Taco Soup Recipe (With Velveeta Cheese)
This cheesy taco soup is a cheesy, super easy to make, kid-friendly version of Taco Soup. This recipe uses ground turkey, two types of beans, corn, tomatoes, salsa, and the ingredient that makes it so smooth and cheesy is Velveeta cheese. I know some people have strong feelings about Velveeta cheese, and that’s ok, but if it’s not your thing you may want to skip this recipe because it’s what makes this taco soup recipe different from all the others!
My kids don’t love taco soup but whenever I serve this cheesy version at the dinner table they happily eat it up. It’s a family favorite recipe, perfect for busy weeknights, that is loaded with all your favorite taco flavors and of course, all the favorite taco fixins.
This version cooks on the stove top, with amazing flavor, and it’s a hearty soup that the whole family will love. The best part are all the toppings so be sure and plan for a few that way everyone can top their bowls of taco soup just how they like it.
Ingredients Needed
- Olive Oil : I use extra-virgin ‘light tasting’ olive oil as it has a very mild taste to it compared to regular olive oil. You need the oil to help give the ground turkey some fat for cooking.
- Ground Turkey : Use extra lean ground turkey or the fattier ground turkey (85/15).
- Kosher Salt, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, Cumin : This recipe uses the individual spices instead of a packet of taco seasoning.
- Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth
- Chili Beans : These are canned pinto beans in chili sauce. The can specifically says ‘chili beans’ on it. No need to drain it as we want the chili sauce juice from the can.
- Black Beans
- Petite Diced Tomatoes
- Corn : This is a can of corn and feel free to use whatever version you want – white corn, yellow corn, yellow & white corn, southwestern corn, etc.
- Salsa : Use your preferred salsa in whatever preferred heat level you want. I recommend using the fresher salsas that you can find in the refrigerated section in the produce area of the grocery store.
- Velveeta : There really are no substitutions for this one, at least not one that will yield that really creamy & smooth cheesy texture we want in the soup.
How To Make Cheesy Taco Soup (Printable Recipe Card)
In a large soup pot (with a lid), over medium-high heat, add olive oil, ground turkey, salt, garlic powder, chili powder, and cumin. Cook and crumble until ground turkey is no longer pink. Drain grease from the pot.
Add the chicken broth, chili beans, black beans, tomatoes, corn, and salsa into the soup pot. Stir to combine.
Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, and cover with the lid. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir in the cubed Velveeta cheese and cover with the lid. Let simmer for 3-5 minutes or until the Velveeta is melted. Stir together to combine.
Serve with your favorite taco soup toppings. We love tortilla strips, sour cream, and shredded cheese.
How To Store Leftover Cheesy Taco Soup
Let leftover taco soup cool closer to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store leftovers inside the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the stove top or inside the microwave when ready to eat.
I don’t recommend freezing this taco soup because the Velveeta cheese will take on a weird texture once frozen and then thawed. But you could always try it and see what you think.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I Use A Different Bean In Taco Soup?
Yes! The can of black beans can be swapped for any other canned bean you love or prefer. Try using kidney beans, pinto beans, white navy beans, etc. Make sure the canned beans are drained and rinsed before adding them into the soup pot.
What Are The Best Taco Soup Toppings?
There are so many options! Sour cream, tortilla strips or tortilla chips, corn chips (like Fritos), shredded cheese (any variety of cheese), chopped fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, sliced green onions, avocado slices, or guacamole.
Can I Make It Spicy?
Try adding some cayenne pepper in with the other dried seasonings. Use hot or medium salsa. Have spicier topping options such as shredded Pepper Jack cheese, sliced jalapeños, or hot sauce. Add a can of diced green chilies in with the other canned ingredients. Use a can of spicy rotel instead of the petite diced tomatoes. You can also use a spicier version of Velveeta in the recipe.
Can I Use Different Ground Meat?
Yes you can. Swap the ground turkey for ground beef or even ground chicken instead.
You’ll Love These Other Taco Inspired Dinner Recipes For Taco Night
- Easy Chicken Taco Soup : A family favorite with shredded chicken chunks, beans, corn, and tomatoes in a taco seasoned chicken broth base.
- Taco Biscuit Bake : Taco seasoned ground beef bakes with fluffy, buttery biscuits and cheese in one casserole dish. It’s like biscuit tacos and it’s so yummy. We love ours topped with lettuce, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
- Cornbread Taco Bake : A ground beef taco casserole topped with an easy cornbread topping.
- 7 Can Chicken Taco Soup : Yes, you literally dump 7 cans into a pot and let it simmer. Serve with all your favorite toppings like tortilla chips, sour cream, and shredded cheese.
- Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Casserole : Spaghetti noodles, cheese, and a delicious cheesy taco mixture bakes in one dish. This is one of my kids’ favorite dinners.
- One Pot Taco Pasta : Everything cooks in jut one pot! Pasta + tacos is a perfect combination.
- Taco Ring : A ring of buttery crescent rolls stuffed with a cheesy taco mixture.
- Taco Potatoes : Soft & tender oven baked potatoes topped with a taco seasoned ground beef mixture and all the taco toppings.
- Layered Taco Dip : The best appetizer with layers of all the taco goodness you love.
- Ground Turkey Tacos : Use healthier and leaner ground turkey for tacos with this easy and super flavorful recipe.
- Taco Sloppy Joes : Who needs classic sloppy joes when you can make this taco version!
Cheesy Taco Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 can (14.5 oz) reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) chili beans do not drain
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained & rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) petite diced tomatoes do not drain
- 1 can (15 oz) corn drained
- 1 cup salsa
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese cubed
Instructions
- In a large soup pot (with a lid), over medium-high heat, add olive oil, ground turkey, salt, garlic powder, chili powder, and cumin. Cook and crumble until ground turkey is no longer pink. Drain grease from the pot.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 lb ground turkey, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin
- Add the chicken broth, chili beans, black beans, tomatoes, corn, and salsa into the soup pot. Stir to combine.1 can (14.5 oz) reduced sodium chicken broth, 1 can (15 oz) chili beans, 1 can (15 oz) black beans, 1 can (15 oz) petite diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) corn, 1 cup salsa
- Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, and cover with the lid. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the cubed Velveeta cheese and cover with the lid. Let simmer for 3-5 minutes or until the Velveeta is melted. Stir together to combine.8 ounces Velveeta cheese
- Serve with your favorite taco soup toppings. We love tortilla chips or strips, sour cream, and shredded cheese.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love to see it! You can share it with me on @togetherasfamilyblog and follow on Pinterest @together-as-family-blog-recipes or Facebook @togetherasfamilyblog for more!
Post and photos have been updated August 2024. Recipe is the same and has not been changed.
So yummy!!! I did ground beef instead, added a packet of ranch and instead of salsa i added a small can of spicy v8! My kids lapped it up!!
We LOVE this soup! Been making it since I found it years ago. I was wondering if it’s crock pot friendly?
Yes I think it would work just fine in the crockpot. Cook the ground beef first of course but then probably just LOW heat for 4-5 hours is all it would need. So happy you love the recipe!