Turkey Tuesday: Cheesy Taco Soup

I am completely obsessed with soups right now. (Just ask Teacher Man – I’ve been making soups all winter.) When I found this Cheesy Taco Soup I knew I had a winner!

Considering I live in the North Country, otherwise known as Minnesota, I suppose that makes sense. I am all about comfort food in the winter – and I’m not sure there is anything better than a hardy soup and some crusty bread for a meal when the temperatures dip well below freezing.

I came across this Cheesy Taco Soup recipe from a favorite blogger of mine, Iowa Girl Eats, a while ago. I make the soup often and have shared it a couple of times on my Facebook page. It’s exactly what I love for a weeknight soup recipe – easy preparation, fast cooking, and full of flavor. I whipped this up last Friday night in under 30 minutes.

The original recipes calls for ground beef but I substitute ground turkey and it’s a completely easy switch.

What’s your go-to comfort food in the winter?

– Lara –

Cheesy Taco Soup (source: Iowa Girl Eats)

Ingredients:
1 (20-ounce) package JENNIE-O® Lean Ground Turkey
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2-1/2 cups milk, divided
salt & pepper
1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
1 package taco seasoning
10oz can Rotel, undrained
15oz can black beans, drained & rinsed
Chili Cheese Fritos (or Regular Fritos or crushed tortilla chips would work)

Directions: 

1. Brown ground turkey in a large soup pot over medium-high heat, seasoning with salt and pepper, until no longer pink. Drain and return to pot.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat then whisk in flour and cook for one minute. Slowly whisk in 1 cup milk, season with salt and pepper, then switch to a wooden spoon and stir mixture until thickened, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat then stir in shredded cheese until smooth. Set aside.
3. Add taco seasoning, rotel, black beans, cheese sauce, and remaining 1-1/2 cups milk into cooked ground turkey then stir well to combine. Bring to a heavy simmer then turn heat down to medium and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Top with Fritos and more shredded cheese, if desired.

Disclaimer: I am part of Jennie-O’s Switch Circle of bloggers, but I do not get paid to write about Jennie-O products. I do receive some complimentary turkey products, such as the lean ground turkey I mentioned above, to try. Opinions are entirely my own.