Description
Rich and hearty Midwestern cheesy beef soup brings comfort on cold nights. Creamy Wisconsin cheddar and tender ground beef create a satisfying meal perfect for family gatherings. You’ll savor each spoonful of this classic regional favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef or sausage
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 (4 ounce) cans mild green chiles
Seasonings and Liquid:
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 32 ounces beef or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cold water (optional)
Instructions
- Sear ground beef or sausage in a Dutch oven over medium heat (375°F) until browned, eliminating excess fat through thorough draining.
- Introduce diced onions, chopped bell peppers, and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate selected spices and pour in rich broth, allowing mixture to reach a gentle simmer. Reduce heat, cover, and let flavors meld for 10 minutes.
- Blend cream cheese, roasted green chiles, and shredded cheddar into the soup, whisking continuously until cheeses completely dissolve and create a smooth, creamy texture.
- For enhanced thickness, create a cornstarch slurry with cold water and gently stir into the soup, cooking until desired consistency develops.
- Garnish with additional cheese sprinkles, diced fresh tomatoes, sliced green onions, or creamy avocado chunks for a vibrant and textural finish.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier soup base.
- Swap meat with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
- Pat meat dry before browning to ensure perfect caramelization and develop deeper meaty taste.
- Grate cheese freshly instead of using pre-shredded varieties for smoother, more luxurious melting texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg