Creamy Cowboy Soup: Hearty Beef & Potato Bowl (Print Version)

Creamy Cowboy Soup: Warm up with this rich, hearty comfort meal! Packed with beef, potatoes, & a velvety broth. Easy & a family favorite.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Meat-based

# Ingredients:

→ Soup Base Essentials

01 - 1 lb ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
05 - 4 cups beef broth (low sodium)

→ Creamy Goodness

06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Flavor Powerhouses

08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp cumin
10 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Finishing Touches

12 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
13 - 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - Grab a big pot or Dutch oven, let it get nice and hot over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef and break it up with a spoon. You want it beautifully browned, no pink bits left! Drain off any excess fat – seriously, don't skip this, nobody wants a greasy soup. Then, add your diced onion and minced garlic. Stir 'em around until the onion softens and turns translucent, and that garlic starts smelling absolutely divine, about 5-7 minutes. This is the foundation of your Creamy Cowboy Soup, so take your time here!
02 - Next up, those lovely diced potatoes go into the pot. Pour in your beef broth, making sure everything is submerged. Now for the flavor powerhouses: stir in the smoked paprika, cumin, and dried thyme. Give it all a good stir, bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for those potatoes to be fork-tender. This is where all those spices really start to meld together, and the whole kitchen just smells incredible!
03 - Once the potatoes are tender, take about a cup or so of the soup mixture – mostly potatoes, a little broth – and transfer it to a separate bowl. Grab a fork or a potato masher and mash those potatoes until they're mostly smooth. This is my little trick for thickening the Creamy Cowboy Soup without needing a flour slurry, and honestly, it works like a charm! Stir the mashed mixture back into the pot. Look at that body!
04 - Now for the truly creamy part! Reduce the heat to its lowest setting. Stir in the softened cream cheese until it's completely melted and smooth – no lumps, please! Then, pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently until everything is wonderfully combined and warmed through. This is where you need to be careful; you don't want to boil the soup after adding the cream, or it might separate. I've had that happen, and it's a bit of a bummer, so keep it low and slow!
05 - Time for the cheese! Sprinkle in your shredded cheddar cheese. Stir it in slowly, allowing it to melt into the warm, luscious Creamy Cowboy Soup. You’ll see it get all gooey and delicious. Don't rush this part; let the cheese become one with the soup. Taste it now – does it need more salt? A little more pepper? Adjust to your heart's content. This is your soup, after all!
06 - Ladle generous portions of your beautiful, Hearty Creamy Cowboy Soup into bowls. Garnish with those fresh, sliced green onions. The vibrant green against the creamy backdrop just looks so inviting! Serve it immediately, perhaps with some crusty bread for dipping. Take a moment to appreciate the warmth, the aroma, and the comfort radiating from your kitchen. It’s a meal that truly warms you from the inside out, I promise.

# Notes:

01 - Never boil the Creamy Cowboy Soup after adding the heavy cream and cream cheese; it can cause the dairy to separate. Keep it on a low simmer!
02 - Mashing some of the cooked potatoes is key for a naturally thick, hearty texture without relying on flour. It makes a huge difference.
03 - Taste, taste, taste! Seriously, season your Creamy Cowboy Soup as you go. What works for me might not be enough for your palate.
04 - For an extra layer of flavor, crisp up some bacon and crumble it over your Creamy Cowboy Soup just before serving. It's a game-changer!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot or Dutch oven
02 - potato masher or fork

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

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

Back