Creamy Beef Taco Soup

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (680 g)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (14 g)
• 1 yellow onion, diced (180 g)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (9 g)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste (32 g)
• 2 teaspoons chili powder (5 g)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (2 g)
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (400 g)
• 4 cups beef broth (960 g)
• 3 cups cauliflower rice (300 g)
• 6 ounces cream cheese (170 g)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice (30 g)
• 3 scallions, sliced (45 g)
• 1 teaspoon fine salt (6 g)

Instructions

1. Brown in two batches. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high. Add half the beef in broad clumps and leave it untouched until the underside develops a deep brown crust. Break it apart, finish cooking, and transfer it to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining beef so the pot stays hot instead of steaming.
2. Build the red base. Cook onion in the rendered fat until its edges soften. Add garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, and cumin. Stir until the paste turns brick red and leaves a thin coating on the pot. Pour in tomatoes and broth, scraping every browned patch into the liquid.
3. Reduce before dairy. Return the beef and bring the soup to a vigorous simmer. Cook uncovered until the broth looks slightly thicker and a spoonful shows beef suspended rather than sinking through watery liquid. Add cauliflower rice and simmer only until its pieces are tender but still individually visible.
4. Emulsify and garnish. Lower the burner completely. Whisk softened cream cheese with a ladle of hot broth in a bowl until smooth, then stir that mixture into the pot. Add lime juice and salt to taste. Divide into six bowls and scatter scallions and avocado over each portion after the soup stops bubbling.

Notes

• Ingredient size affects timing, so favor even cuts while allowing naturally irregular arrangement.
• The decisive finished cue is deep beef browning and a concentrated red broth before the cream cheese enters; wait for it before adding the final garnish.
• Refrigerate for 4 days and reheat portions gently, keeping fresh scallions separate until serving.

Nutrition Facts