Hearty Creamy Cowboy Soup: A Weeknight Favorite (Print Version)

This creamy cowboy soup recipe brings smoky flavor and hearty goodness to your table. Simple to make, it's a comforting meal that feels like a warm hug.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Meat, Dairy

# Ingredients:

→ Base & Protein

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
02 - 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced

→ Veggies & Aromatics

03 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 cups diced potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
06 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
07 - 1 cup frozen or fresh corn

→ Liquids & Creaminess

08 - 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
09 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream

→ Seasonings & Finishing Touches

11 - 1 tbsp smoked paprika
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste
13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish
14 - 2 green onions, chopped, for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - Alright, first things first! Grab a big pot—my trusty Dutch oven is usually on duty for this creamy cowboy soup. Cook your bacon over medium heat until it’s wonderfully crispy. Pull it out with a slotted spoon and set it aside, but leave that glorious bacon fat in the pot! Now, add the ground beef and brown it up, breaking it into small pieces. This is where I used to forget to drain the fat, so don't be me! Drain it well, then return the beef to the pot. It should smell savory and delicious already, honestly.
02 - With the beef back in, toss in your chopped onion and let it soften for about 5-7 minutes. You want it translucent, not browned. Then, add that glorious minced garlic and the smoked paprika. Stir it around for just a minute until you can really smell that amazing aroma—don't let the garlic burn, that's a mistake I've made too many times! This step is key for the depth of flavor in our creamy cowboy soup.
03 - Pour in the chicken broth and the undrained diced tomatoes. Give it a good stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot—that's pure flavor! Add your diced potatoes and bring the whole thing to a simmer. Let it bubble gently for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. This is where the magic starts to happen; the potatoes soften, absorbing all those delicious flavors for our creamy cowboy soup.
04 - Once the potatoes are tender, stir in the cream cheese until it's completely melted and smooth. This takes a few minutes, just keep stirring gently. Then, pour in the heavy cream and the corn. Let it heat through for another 5 minutes, but don't bring it to a rolling boil once the cream is in, or it might separate—I learned that the hard way, oops! This is what makes it a truly creamy cowboy soup.
05 - Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Sometimes I add a pinch more smoked paprika here if it feels right. If you want it a little thicker, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot with a spoon. This helps release their starch and makes the soup even more luscious. It should be a beautiful, rich consistency now, ready for the final touches.
06 - Ladle the hot creamy cowboy soup into bowls. Crumble that crispy bacon you set aside over the top, then sprinkle with freshly grated cheddar cheese and chopped green onions. The cheese will get wonderfully melty from the heat of the soup. It's truly a sight to behold and smells absolutely incredible. Get ready for some serious comfort! Enjoy your homemade creamy cowboy soup!

# Notes:

01 - Always drain the ground beef thoroughly after browning; I once skipped this and the soup was just too greasy.
02 - Don't boil the soup vigorously once the cream cheese and heavy cream are added; it can cause separation. Keep it at a gentle simmer.
03 - Freshly grated cheese makes a huge difference in texture and meltability compared to pre-shredded. Trust me on this one.
04 - For an extra layer of flavor, try using a smoked cheddar cheese for the topping. It really enhances the "cowboy" feel.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife
04 - slotted spoon
05 - ladle

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

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

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