Creamy Cowboy Soup: Rich & Hearty Weeknight Meal (Print Version)

Creamy Cowboy Soup is a hearty meal for busy nights. Enjoy tender beef, potatoes, and a rich, creamy broth. Your family will love this comforting favorite!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Contains Beef

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 large Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
05 - 4 cups low-sodium beef broth

→ Flavor Boosters

06 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
07 - 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles, undrained
08 - 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Creamy Goodness

10 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)

→ Finishing Touches

13 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
14 - 1/4 cup crispy bacon bits
15 - 2 green onions, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, grab your biggest Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot and set it over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Brown it until it's no longer pink, then drain off any excess grease. Trust me, this step is important for flavor. Toss in your diced yellow onion and cook until it's softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it smells fragrant – don't let it burn, that's a mistake I've made once, and it tasted bitter, ugh!
02 - Now for the good stuff! Add your diced potatoes, canned diced tomatoes (undrained, remember!), diced green chiles, and dried Italian seasoning to the pot. Give it all a good stir to combine. Pour in your beef broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. This is where all those flavors really start to meld together, and the smell, oh my goodness, it’s just so inviting!
03 - Once your potatoes are fork-tender, it's time to make this Creamy Cowboy Soup, well, creamy! Uncover the pot and add the softened cream cheese in chunks. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is completely melted and smoothly incorporated into the soup. This might take a few minutes, and you might need to mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot with your spoon to help thicken it a bit. Don't rush this part; you want no lumps, hon!
04 - Next, pour in the heavy cream and milk. Stir everything together gently until it's all warmed through. You don't want to bring it to a rolling boil once the cream is in, just a nice, gentle simmer. Now, taste, taste, taste! This is where you adjust your seasonings. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Sometimes I add a pinch of smoked paprika here for an extra layer of depth. Just experiment a little; you know your taste best!
05 - Stir in about half of your shredded cheddar cheese directly into the Creamy Cowboy Soup until it's completely melted and gooey. This adds another layer of cheesy goodness and helps thicken the soup even more. The way it melts into the broth, creating those lovely strings, is just so satisfying. This step makes the soup so rich and comforting, it's a real game-changer.
06 - Ladle the hot Creamy Cowboy Soup into bowls. Now for the fun part – toppings! Garnish each serving generously with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits, and some freshly chopped green onions. The vibrant green against the creamy soup just looks so good. Serve it immediately and watch those smiles appear. The final result should be thick, rich, and utterly delicious, smelling absolutely divine!

# Notes:

01 - Always soften your cream cheese to room temperature; it melts so much more smoothly into the soup.
02 - For amazing leftovers, gently reheat this soup on the stovetop to keep the creamy texture intact.
03 - If you're out of heavy cream, a bit more whole milk and an extra ounce of cream cheese can work in a pinch.
04 - Serve with a warm, crusty bread for dipping; it just makes the whole experience extra special.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
02 - wooden spoon
03 - potato masher (optional)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 Calories
Total Fat: 30g
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 25g

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