Taco Soup

I was inspired to create this favorite blend of seasonings when my family raved about a Taco Soup served at a church potluck one Sunday afternoon. After asking my friend for the recipe, I realized it was one that used so many packaged seasoning blends and canned goods that one recipe could feed an army.  I rose to the challenge and set out to dissect the ingredients for each of those seasoning packets and set out to create a recipe that made just enough soup for one family at a time. 

This is still a favorite of my pickiest eater!

MAKE IT A MIX

Using quart sized zip lock bags or small containers, package up the dry ingredients to stock your pantry with several (or a bunch!) of mixes that you can grab on a busy day. Add a few fresh or liquid ingredients and your meal or side dish is served.

I love to stock my pantry with several of these at a time because they provide such a quick, simple and easy meal solution on busy days.

GOT KIDS? Bring them into the kitchen to help make up a batch of these homemade mixes.

• Set it up like an assembly line, assigning 1 person to each ingredient and pass the bags around the table, OR…
• Set it up as a round table process. Line up all of the ingredients with their measuring utensils, place a stack of bags at the front of the ingredient line and let each person go down the line to make a full mix.

GET THE KIDS COOKING

This is a PERFECT soup recipe for kids to help with or take over a meal time preparation. Younger kids will need some adult supervision, but they can feel ‘big’ as they pour the canned ingredients into the pot and stir until ready.

When my kids were 10 and older, this was a meal I could ask them to pull together even if I wasn’t there to get it started. Having the mix in the pantry made it so easy for them to grab it and the canned goods and stir up a quick and delicious meal.

MAKE IT A GIFT

The ingredients of this soup mix layer beautifully in a small jar. When gifting it, throw in a gift bag the seasoning mix, the recipe card from this post printed out and the canned goods required. You’re now giving them the gift of a quick, delicious and easy meal around the family table!

To make it easy for you, here are some printable recipe cards with all of the ‘make a mix’ tips and variation suggestions.

MAKE IT A MEAL TRAIL

Leftovers of this soup make a great baked potato topper!  For this reason I like to make a double batch and plan a meal trail that week.  Split open the baked potato and use a slotted spoon to scoop out the reheated taco soup, getting a generous portion of the vegetables and optional meat, but very little of the broth. Top with a generous portion of shredded cheddar and some sour cream and enjoy a delicious meal with the family!

Enjoy!

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