When it comes to whipping up delicious and straightforward meals, Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, is a trusted name in kitchens across America. Her taco soup recipe is a testament to her knack for creating family-friendly, flavorful dishes without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients. If you’re on the hunt for Pioneer Woman Easy Dinners, this taco soup should be at the top of your list. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights when time is short but the craving for something tasty is high.
One of the best things about The Pioneer Woman taco soup recipe is its simplicity. Just like her popular beef stew, the ingredient list might seem extensive at first glance, but a closer look reveals that it’s all pantry staples and easily accessible items. This recipe truly shines in its efficiency. Ree Drummond cleverly avoids lengthy simmering times by utilizing the liquids from canned goods, adding both flavor and body to the soup. Instead of draining and rinsing the canned beans and corn, you simply pour everything right into the pot. This not only intensifies the taste but also naturally thickens the soup to a comforting, rich consistency. The flavorful drippings from the browned beef are retained in the pan, and the quick flavor boosters like taco seasoning and hot sauce ensure a vibrant and zesty final product.
For anyone seeking quick and comforting weeknight dinners, The Pioneer Woman’s recipes are a goldmine. And this taco soup perfectly embodies her approach to easy, delicious cooking.
The Pioneer Woman Taco Soup Recipe: A Quick and Flavorful Guide
This recipe is broken down into easy-to-follow steps, ensuring even novice cooks can achieve a fantastic result.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds ground beef
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 heaping tablespoon taco seasoning
- One 15-ounce can black beans, undrained
- One 15-ounce can fire-roasted corn, undrained
- One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- Hot sauce, to taste
For Serving and Garnishing:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- Yellow corn chips or tortilla chips, for serving
Step-by-Step Directions to Taco Soup Perfection
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics – Onions and Garlic
Begin by heating the olive oil in a large, sturdy pot, such as a Dutch oven, over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook these aromatics until they begin to soften and become fragrant, approximately 5 minutes. Giving them a little extra time to soften at this stage really builds a flavorful base for the soup.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef to Build Flavor
Add the ground beef to the pot with the softened onions and garlic. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Break up the beef with a spatula or spoon and cook until it is fully browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Ensure you crumble the beef well for an even texture in the soup. Once browned, add the tomato paste and taco seasoning to the beef. Stir everything together thoroughly to coat the beef and let the spices bloom in the heat for about a minute, enhancing their flavor.
Step 3: Combine All Ingredients for Flavorful Soup
Now it’s time to create the soup! Stir in the undrained black beans, undrained fire-roasted corn, and undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles into the pot with the beef mixture. Pour in the vegetable stock and add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce – remember, you can always add more later to adjust the spice level to your preference. Stir all the ingredients well to combine everything evenly.
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the soup simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes. This simmering time is crucial as it allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully and the soup to thicken slightly. As Ree Drummond herself advises, letting it reach a “violent” boil initially helps to quickly integrate the flavors. After simmering, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add more salt, pepper, taco seasoning, or hot sauce to reach your desired taste.
Step 4: Serve and Garnish Your Hearty Taco Soup
Ladle the Pioneer Woman taco soup into bowls and let everyone customize their own serving with the array of garnishes. A dollop of cool sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, and fresh cilantro leaves are classic choices. For added texture and a satisfying crunch, crumble yellow corn chips or tortilla chips over the top just before serving. Don’t forget to have extra hot sauce on the table for those who like an extra kick!
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Image: A vibrant bowl of Pioneer Woman taco soup garnished with cheese, sour cream, and cilantro, showcasing a delicious and easy weeknight dinner.
My Thoughts on Pioneer Woman’s Taco Soup Recipe
Just like The Pioneer Woman lasagna, this taco soup recipe is incredibly satisfying and perfect for feeding a hungry family quickly. It truly lives up to the promise of easy dinners. The entire process, from prep to serving, is remarkably straightforward, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.
If I were to tweak this recipe, much like my experience with making it, I might suggest allowing the onions and garlic a bit more time to soften and develop color at the beginning. Sautéing them for around 5 minutes instead of just one will deepen the flavor base of the soup. Similarly, browning the tomato paste slightly in the pot before adding the canned tomatoes can add an extra layer of richness.
The quality of your taco seasoning also plays a significant role in the overall flavor profile of the soup. Consider using a high-quality store-bought brand or even making your own homemade taco seasoning to control the spice levels and ingredients. When buying pre-made packets, check the ingredient list to ensure it’s primarily spices rather than just salt, allowing you to season with salt to taste as you cook.
Lastly, while the recipe suggests corn chips for garnish, I would strongly recommend sticking to classic yellow corn chips as Ree suggests. I learned the hard way that corn tortilla chips aren’t quite the same in this context!
In conclusion, The Pioneer Woman taco soup recipe is a winner for easy weeknight dinners. It’s quick, flavorful, customizable, and uses readily available ingredients – everything you could want in a go-to family meal. Give it a try and experience another Pioneer Woman triumph in your own kitchen!
