Taco Soup

This is one of the easiest and quickest meals you can prepare and it is super tasty.  When I was living in Portland I heard about Taco Soup from a girl I worked with and knew this was something I was going to like.  Every year for Halloween I prepare Taco Soup because you can make it early in the day and grab a quick bowl in between trick-or-treaters.  Taco Soup is like a very light chili and is a great inexpensive way to feed a crowd. I always prepare this in a crock pot, but I have included stove top directions too. 

Taco Soup

•  1lb ground beef-browned
•  1 can Ro-tel tomatoes, with liquid
•  1 onion coarsely diced
•  1 can beans (black or pinto), drained
•  1 cup corn (frozen, fresh or canned)
•  1 qt stock (chicken or veggie) 
•  Water, about 2 cups, but can use more if you want more servings
•  1 packet taco seasoning
•  1 packet ranch dressing seasoning

Garnish before serving with: Tortilla chips, shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, sliced black olives




Crock pot instructions: Brown ground beef, drain off excess oil, and then transfer to crock pot.  Add remaining ingredients.  Cover and set on low for 6-8 hours.  Soup will be ready in about two hours, but I usually let it simmer away all day.

Stove top instructions:  In a large stock pot brown ground beef, drain off excess oil and then return to pot.  Add remaining ingredients.  Bring all ingredients up to a boil and then reduce to low.  Simmer for 1-1-1/2 hours.