Easy Taco Soup with Ranch Seasoning (The World’s Easiest Supper)
Let me introduce you to the world’s easiest supper. This taco soup is ground beef, beans, corn and Ro-Tel simmered with a packet of taco seasoning and a packet of ranch dressing mix, and you dump every can into the pot without draining a single one. If you love chili or tacos, this is the bowl for you.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Taco Soup
- Serves: 4
- Main Ingredients: ground beef, chopped onion, kidney beans, corn, Ro-Tel tomatoes (15-ounce), tomato sauce (15-ounce), packet taco seasoning mix, packet ranch dressing mix
- Why You'll Love It: Taco Soup is so incredibly quick and easy but the flavor alone will win you over. You're just not going to believe how great this tastes!
This recipe has the family seal of approval, and I keep the ingredients on hand all the time since nearly all of them are pantry staples. If you’d like to see how I keep shelf-stable meals like this one organized, take a look at my Bags to Dishes meal kits.
How do you make taco soup?
Brown 1 pound of ground beef with a chopped onion. Add it to a pot with 2 cans of kidney beans, a can of corn, a can of Ro-Tel, a can of tomato sauce, a packet of taco seasoning, a packet of ranch dressing mix and 1 1/2 cups of water. Don’t drain the cans. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Supper’s ready in about 45 minutes.
Why the Ranch Packet Matters
Taco seasoning alone makes a good soup, but the ranch dressing mix is what gives this one its savory, slightly tangy depth and keeps folks asking what’s in it. The two packets season everything at once, so there’s no measuring spices.
Leaving the cans undrained matters too. The liquid from the beans, corn and Ro-Tel becomes the broth, along with a cup and a half of water, so the soup ends up thick and hearty instead of watery.
Ingredients for Easy Taco Soup
- Ground beef: About a pound, browned with a chopped onion. I brown beef ahead of time and freeze it in meal-sized portions, so most nights I just grab a bag from the freezer. When I want the whole recipe shelf-stable, I dehydrate ground beef instead.
- Kidney beans: Pinto or black beans work in their place, or use a mix.
- Ro-Tel: Original Ro-Tel adds a little heat. Use the mild version if you’re feeding young kids.
- Taco seasoning and ranch dressing mix: One packet of each.
You’ll find the exact amounts in the recipe card below.
Helpful Tips Before You Start
- Don’t drain any of the cans. That liquid is the broth.
- If your beef is already cooked, the soup is ready as soon as it has simmered for 15 minutes.
- Ground turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken can stand in for the beef.
- For the crock pot, brown the beef and onion first, then cook everything on low for 5 to 6 hours.
How to Make Easy Taco Soup
1Brown the Beef
Brown the ground beef with the chopped onion in a skillet or right in your soup pot, and drain off the fat.
2Dump Everything in the Pot
Add the kidney beans, corn, Ro-Tel and tomato sauce without draining any of the cans, then stir in the taco seasoning, ranch dressing mix and 1 1/2 cups of water.
3Simmer and Serve
Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Ladle it into bowls and add your favorite toppings.
What to Serve with Taco Soup
I like mine with a dollop of sour cream and a handful of shredded cheese, and a bag of tortilla chips on the side never hurts. For a bigger spread, set out a bowl of copycat Chipotle guacamole or a batch of cinnamon tortilla chips for dessert.
On a game night, it’s great next to a pan of layered Tex Mex dip or a platter of easy taco pizza. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, and I store them in glass containers so the tomato-based soup doesn’t stain.
More Easy Soups and Taco Night Favorites
Taco Soup FAQs
Do you drain the beans and corn for taco soup?
Leave every can undrained. The liquid from the beans, corn and Ro-Tel is a big part of the broth, and draining them leaves you with a thin, bland soup.
Can I make taco soup in a slow cooker?
It works well in a slow cooker, it just takes longer. Brown the beef and onion first, add everything to the crock pot and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.
How do I make taco soup thicker?
Let it simmer uncovered for an extra 10 minutes, or mash a few of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon before serving.
Easy Taco Soup with Ranch Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large chopped onion cooked with beef
- 2 cans kidney beans
- 1 can corn
- 1 can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and green chilies (10-ounce), undrained
- 1 can tomato sauce (15-ounce)
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- If needed, brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet.1 lb ground beef, 1 large chopped onion
- Combine all ingredients into a large pot, bring to a boil, and then simmer for 15 minutes.1 lb ground beef, 1 large chopped onion, 2 cans kidney beans, 1 can corn, 1 can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and green chilies (10-ounce), undrained, 1 can tomato sauce (15-ounce), 1 packet taco seasoning mix, 1 packet ranch dressing mix, 1 1/2 cups water
- Serve with the toppings of your choice.
I tried this. recipe and it was delicious.
Thank you for giving it a try Shonda, I am so glad you like it and hope you will find a few other recipes here to try!!
Good Morning! How many does this serve? Thanks!
My family of four has enough for supper with maybe enough for one lunch the next day. Hope this helps!
Are you sure the can of Ro-tel is 15 oz. ? I have one that looks like what you have in the picture above, but it is only a little over 10 ounces.
Oh my gosh, I just made this wonderful pot full of heaven! I love it! Actually, I made it the consistency of chili, little thicker without all of the water called for, probably used about a half cup. Since I didn’t have any canned corn, I used a small 16 oz. bag from freezer and cooked it, then added the whole bag to the pot. (I love love corn!)..Now, to finish supper, I have a big cast iron skillet full of golden cornbread to go with! <3
Hey Joyce!!! I am so glad to hear you liked it!!!!
How much does it serve? I need to serve 80 people!!
Christie, I finally made this soup last night and it was delicious! It made a ton and we love it so much. I will be making it again and again. It’s my new favorite soup. Thank you!
I am so glad to hear that you liked it Samantha!!!
Ah! Christy, so sorry I spelled your name wrong in my last comment. I typed it from my phone, so that must have been an auto-correct fail.
By the way, the reason I’ve had to visit your site from my phone lately is that I’m having terrible problems with it ever since the Yum button was added. I’ve been on your site nearly every day ever since I first found it about a year and a half ago. I never had any problems until last week.
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I’m not complaining at all; I just wanted to let you know in case others might be experiencing the same issues. I’m still hoping I can figure it out because I’d prefer to visit your site from my laptop, not my phone. But, hey, it might just be the excuse I need to get that iPad I’ve been thinking about.
I love this! Quick easy and hearty! I have a dear friend that made this for me before and I am so glad I found the recipe! I served it like she always did with shredded cheese and fritos on top. Yummy! I am so glad I found your website, so many fantastic recipes for good food on a tight budget!Thank you for sharing
Thank you so much for this great easy soup recipe. I really enjoy your recipes and yours “words of wisdom” too! Keep your recipes coming – You’re the best!