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Hearty 7-Can Taco Soup Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners

Taco soup is the ideal quick dinner for busy families. If you want a flavorful, no-fuss meal, this one-pot recipe is for you. Made with seven cans plus a little ground beef, an onion, and two seasoning packets, it requires almost no measuring and minimal cleanup.

Comfort food at its finest, this taco soup is sure to become a family favorite! This one-pot meal requires little effort, minimal clean up but is ridiculously good. All you need are ground beef, seven canned goods, two seasoning packets and an onion.

Soup is one of my favorite meals—warm, comforting, and easy to stretch for a crowd or leftovers. Living in Minnesota, a hot soup is appreciated much of the year, and this taco soup is a delicious twist on classic tacos that’s simple enough for any weeknight. The flavor comes together quickly and it’s the perfect comfort food when you need something hearty without the fuss.

A hearty taco soup with ground beef, corn, beans and diced tomatoes

This taco soup uses seven canned ingredients and a few fresh items to make a filling, family-friendly meal. Browning the ground beef and chopping an onion are the only real prep steps—then it’s a matter of dumping the rest into the pot and simmering. It’s forgiving, adaptable, and cleans up fast.

Ingredients for taco soup including ground beef, onion, ranch dressing seasoning, taco seasoning and 7 cans.

7 Can Taco Soup Ingredients

All you need are seven cans plus ground beef, an onion, and two seasoning packets. Here’s what to gather:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 envelope ranch salad dressing & seasoning mix (1 oz)
  • 1 envelope taco seasoning mix (1.25 oz)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with chiles, undrained
  • 1 can (15.25 oz) whole kernel corn, undrained
  • 1 can (16 oz) chili beans, undrained
  • 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, drained & rinsed
  • 1 can (16 oz) pinto beans, drained & rinsed
  • Optional garnishes: shredded cheese, sour cream, green onion, jalapeños, avocado, diced tomato, cilantro, black olives, tortilla chips or strips

If you prefer homemade seasonings, swap the packets for 3 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning and 4 tablespoons homemade ranch seasoning. You can also mix and match beans—kidney beans work well—and add another can of broth for a thinner soup.

Chopped onion for a soup recipe

How to Make 7 Can Taco Soup

This recipe can be ready in about 45 minutes. Follow these simple steps:

  1. Brown the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat; drain any excess grease.
  2. While the beef cooks, open the cans. Drain and rinse the black and pinto beans—rinsing reduces excess sodium and can reduce gas.
  3. Add the ranch and taco seasoning packets, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Rotel, corn, chili beans, black beans, and pinto beans to the pot.
  4. Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
  5. Serve hot with your favorite taco toppings, or keep warm on low. The recipe doubles easily for a larger crowd.

Browning hamburger and onion in a pot

Taco Soup Toppings

This soup is delicious on its own, but toppings add texture and creaminess. Popular options include:

  • Shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, pepper jack)
  • Sour cream
  • Diced green onion
  • Sliced jalapeños or canned green chilies
  • Diced avocado
  • Fresh diced tomatoes
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Sliced black olives
  • Tortilla strips or chips

This delicious taco soup is packed with flavor and only takes 7 cans to make! This recipe requires minimal effort and is great for busy families. Load it up with your favorite taco toppings!

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

For an even easier method, use a slow cooker. Brown the ground beef and onion, drain the grease, then add all ingredients (except garnishes) to the crockpot. Cook on low for 6–8 hours and keep warm until serving. This is perfect for busy days or make-ahead meals.

A hearty taco soup with tortilla chips, sour cream and shredded cheese.

Is This Taco Soup Spicy?

The base recipe is mild and not spicy, making it suitable for all tastes. If you want more heat, add diced jalapeños, a can of green chilies, or a few dashes of hot sauce to taste. The ranch packet gives a subtle tangy flavor you might not expect, and the taco seasoning provides the classic taco profile.

Beef taco soup recipe that is a delicious and easy one pot meal! Top with your favorite taco toppings.

Recipe Card

Taco Soup

This delicious taco soup is packed with flavor and only takes 7 cans to make. Minimal effort and great for busy families.

Prep Time: 10 minutes • Cook Time: 45 minutes • Serves: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 envelope (1 oz) ranch salad dressing & seasoning mix
  • 1 envelope (1.25 oz) taco seasoning mix
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with chiles, undrained
  • 1 can (15.25 oz) whole kernel corn, undrained
  • 1 can (16 oz) chili beans, undrained
  • 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, drained & rinsed
  • 1 can (16 oz) pinto beans, drained & rinsed
  • Optional garnishes: shredded cheese, sour cream, green onion, jalapeño, avocado, diced tomato, cilantro, black olives, tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Brown ground beef and onion over medium heat; drain grease.
  2. Add seasoning packets, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Rotel, corn, chili beans, black beans, and pinto beans.
  3. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Reduce heat and simmer at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Serve warm with desired toppings.

Notes

For a thinner soup, add another can of chicken broth. Substitute beans as desired. For homemade seasonings, use 3 tbsp homemade taco seasoning and 4 tbsp homemade ranch mix. Slow cooker: brown beef and onion, drain, combine everything in the slow cooker and cook on low 6–8 hours.

Taco Recipes

If you enjoy taco flavors, try other taco-inspired dishes for variety. These ideas take the spirit of tacos in new directions and are perfect for sharing with family and friends.

  • Taco egg rolls for a fun appetizer or snack
  • Taco stuffed pasta shells for a comforting casserole-style meal
  • Walking tacos (tacos in a bag) for parties or easy lunches
  • Mexican taco pizza when you can’t decide between pizza and tacos
This delicious taco soup is packed with flavor and only takes 7 cans to make! Packed with flavor, this recipe requires minimal effort and is great for busy families. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream or other favorite taco toppings.
This taco soup recipe is a twist on traditional tacos, and it's super easy to make. The perfect comfort food! Just ground beef, onion, 7 canned goods and two seasoning mixes are required to make this minimal effort dinner recipe!