Cream Cheese Turkey Taco Soup

If you need to stretch a pack of ground turkey into a full meal, this soup is for you! With simple pantry ingredients like taco sauce and seasonings, this cream cheese turkey soup comes together in a pinch and gets dinner on the table quickly, kind of like my taco spaghetti skillet recipe.

While it may not look it, this easy soup recipe is one of our house favorites. Mainly because it’s simple, but also because of its thick, creamy texture and cheesy flavor, my kids actually devour it. Between this recipe and my cheesy salsa meatloaf with stuffing mix, dinners come together without much effort.

What Makes It Different💭

Double cheese: The turkey soup uses both cream cheese and is sprinkled with regular cheese on top to maximize savory flavor.

Adjustable: Scale the taste of the soup depending on what you have on hand and your own personal preferences, just like this 4-ingredient salsa chicken.

Items and Substitutions

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Here’s what you’ll need to make turkey taco soup:

• Ground turkey: This cut of meat tends to get its flavor from whatever it’s paired with, making it simple to work into soups. You can, of course, use another ground meat; just make sure to drain any excess grease.
• Cream cheese: Cubing the cream cheese will help it blend into soup a bit easier.
• Rotel diced tomatoes and chilies: Any canned tomatoes will work, but these ones are pre-seasoned, so they add a ton of flavor. I use them in crockpot cowboy casserole with ground beef, too.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Flavor Variations

Here are some easy ways to customize this turkey taco soup recipe:

1. Add beans: Bulk up the soup a bit more by stirring in black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans.
2. Include corn: A handful of frozen or canned corn adds some bulk to it but also more of a fiesta-style feel.
3. Adjust the heat: Add jalapeños, hot sauce, or spicy taco seasoning for a bolder kick.
4. Make it dairy-free: Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative or coconut cream for a similar texture.

How To Make Cream Cheese Turkey Taco Soup

Step 1: In a large pot, brown the ground turkey and cook the diced onion until clear.

Step 2: Add the cream cheese and let it melt before stirring in the remaining ingredients.

Step3: Mix until everything is combined and warmed through. Serve.

Helpful Hints

• Use a nonstick or heavy-bottomed pot to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
• Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. You can add more taco sauce or spices if you like a bolder flavor.
• Double the recipe and freeze half for an easy future meal.
• Stir occasionally while simmering to keep the soup from sticking or scorching on the bottom.
• Garnish right before serving so the cheese stays melty and the cilantro stays fresh.

Ways To Enjoy It

This cream cheese turkey soup can be used as a light lunch, full-on dinner, or simple appetizer. We personally enjoy having it for dinner and setting toppings like extra cheese, toritlla chips, and sour cream on the table for everyone to style their own.

You could also serve this recipe with chicken roll-ups or air fryer steak tips for a bigger meal.

Cream Cheese Turkey Soup FAQs

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Can I freeze turkey taco soup?

Yes, it freezes well. Let it cool completely, portion it into airtight containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

What can I use instead of cream cheese?

You can substitute it with dairy-free cream cheese, sour cream, or a splash of heavy cream for a similar creamy texture, though the flavor may vary slightly.

How do you make the soup thicker?

Adding in some cooked rice, cooked quinoa, or diced potatoes is a great way to thicken the taco soup recipe.