Description
Creamy Queso Soup is a rich and hearty one-pot meal loaded with cheesy goodness, savory spices, and protein-packed meat—perfect for low-carb comfort food lovers and busy home cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground beef or sausage
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 32 ounces beef or vegetable broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- (3) 4-ounce cans mild green chiles
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water for thickening
Instructions
- Cook the Meat: In a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef or sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon. Once fully cooked, drain off the excess grease to avoid an oily soup texture.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for 5–6 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent, and the garlic is aromatic but not browned.
- Simmer with Broth and Spices: Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin. Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Incorporate the Cheeses: Remove the lid and add the softened cream cheese, canned green chiles, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir or whisk continuously until both cheeses are fully melted and the soup is creamy.
- Thicken if Desired: For a thicker soup texture, mix cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry. Stir this into the soup and let it simmer for a few more minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with toppings like avocado, green onions, diced tomatoes, or extra cheese. Serve hot with a side of low-carb chips or veggies.
Notes
- Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature before using for smoother melting. You can prepare vegetables ahead of time and store them in the fridge. For meal prep, portion soup into containers and refrigerate or freeze (add cheese later if freezing). Add cooked rice or beans to bulk up the dish if you’re not following a keto diet.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ¼ cups
- Calories: 422 kcal
- Sugar: 3.9g
- Sodium: 924mg
- Fat: 28.5g
- Saturated Fat: 13.2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 9.6g
- Fiber: 2.7g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 123mg