Santa Fe Soup Recipe
Santa Fe Soup is a hearty and flavorful southwestern-style soup featuring lean ground beef, beans, corn, and a cheesy Velveeta finish. This one-pot meal combines bold spices like taco and ranch seasoning to create a comforting dish perfect for chilly days or casual gatherings.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering and Browning
- Cuisine: Southwestern American
- Diet: Low Fat
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
Canned Goods
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes & green chilies, rinsed and drained
- 15 ounces whole kernel corn, rinsed and drained
- 15 ounces black beans, rinsed and drained
- 15 ounces pinto beans, rinsed and drained
Liquids and Seasonings
- 4 cups chicken broth (one 32-ounce carton)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
Dairy
- 16 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add a little oil and brown the lean ground beef. Season lightly with salt and black pepper as it cooks to enhance flavor.
- Add Onions and Rotel Tomatoes: Once the beef is cooked through, add the diced yellow onions and the rinsed and drained Rotel tomatoes with green chilies. Cook until the onions become translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate Beans and Corn: Add the cans of corn, black beans, and pinto beans that have been rinsed and drained. Stir these into the mixture for even distribution.
- Add Seasonings and Broth: Pour in both the taco seasoning packet and the ranch seasoning packet. Mix everything together thoroughly for about 10 seconds to evenly coat the ingredients. Then, pour in the 4 cups of chicken broth.
- Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Let the soup cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to blend flavors.
- Add Velveeta Cheese: Turn off the heat and add the cubed Velveeta cheese to the soup. Allow the cheese to sit for a few minutes to warm up and melt into the soup.
- Combine and Serve: Stir the melted cheese thoroughly into the soup until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90% lean or higher) to reduce fat content.
- Rinsing canned beans and corn reduces sodium levels.
- Velveeta cheese adds creaminess—substitute with processed cheese or mild cheddar for similar results.
- Adjust seasoning packets according to taste or use homemade blends for a fresher flavor.
- Simmer gently to prevent burning and to meld flavors properly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Santa Fe Soup, southwestern soup, ground beef soup, cheesy soup, bean soup, easy dinner recipe