Prepare to fall in love with your leftovers with this deliciously speedy taco soup!
Today I’m partnering with Pacific Foods to turn one of their uber healthy soups into a hearty and nourishing meal, all while clearing the fridge of leftovers and kicking food waste in the face! BAM!
Can you tell I’m excited? I’m SO excited!
I’m a huge fan of revamping tasty leftovers into even tastier new dishes. It saves time, saves money, and makes crazy busy days just a little bit easier. There’s really only one rule: No boring leftovers!
Of course this soup couldn’t be boring if it tried, especially since it’s a glorified fiesta in a bowl! In fact, it’s the fiesta that never ends!
It all starts with taco night. As inevitable as breaking my tacos into a million pieces within the first bite, is the fact that we’re going to have some serious leftovers. I know how much I should cook for two, but honestly if I’m in the kitchen anyways, I might as well make enough for two or three meals, right? It’s a total lifesaver when lunch rolls around the next day and I’m still in stretchy pants and covered in neon pink paint, stickers, and copious amounts of peanut butter. Leftovers to the rescue!
Leftovers AND Pacific Foods to the rescue!
I’ve been a Pacific Foods junkie for years and seek out their handy little Tetra Pak cartons whenever I’m stocking the pantry. I love that they don’t have the metallic taste of canned soups and the packaging is gloriously sketch and BPA free! Their soups starters, veggie broth, and refried beans have always snagged top billing as my favorite pantry staples. Until now. A few weeks ago I picked up a carton of their Creamy Tomato Soup and basically died of yum. Hello new favorite! It was everything I wanted in a tomato soup and I didn’t have to break out the food processor to get it! Huzzah! Then of course the planets aligned and I got the most exciting offer to partner with the brand.
Yes! Yes! 100ox Yes!
So a mere few weeks after declaring the Creamy Tomato Soup my new favorite, the Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup comes into my life and changes everything. It’s a tomato love triangle guys, I’m obsessed with them both and I don’t care who knows it! Well, maybe don’t tell the soup… That could get awkward.
In all seriousness, these soups are flipping amazing. While great all on their own, they’re also the most brilliant base for a fridge full of leftovers. Have you ever saved leftover rice, pasta, meat, or veggies with zero clue what to even do with them? Or maybe you panic and toss them, knowing very well that the back of the fridge is where leftovers go to grow legs and googly eyes… Well I’m totally here to change that!
I hereby dub this leftover-rescuing superhero of a soup Taco Night 2.0 and it’s officially what I’ll be doing with all my taco night leftovers from here on out! Nachos were the old go-to (because YUM!) but this soup is a waaaaay healthier option plus I still get to let a few tortilla chips in on the action. Done deal!
Shortcut Taco Soup
This concludes my most epic of rambles, let’s eat!
Yields 2-4
5 minPrep Time
15 minCook Time
20 minTotal Time
Ingredients
- 1 quart Pacific Organic Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
- 2 cups black beans, rinsed [packaged or crock-pot]
- 1-2 cups leftover taco meat
- 1/2-1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- TOPPINGS:
- fresh cilantro
- shredded cheese
- tortilla chips
- greek yogurt or sour cream
- red pepper flakes
- fresh chopped avocado
- EXTRAS:
- Leftover salsa, tomatoes, chopped onions, jalapeños, and all your favorite taco toppings make great mix-ins for this soup. Prevent waste and clean out that crisper!
Instructions
- Bring a pot to medium heat with a quart of red pepper and tomato soup.
- Add black beans, taco meat, bell peppers, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper and simmer for 15 minutes or so until peppers have softened and the flavors have had a chance to mingle.
- Give it a taste and add any additional seasoning as desired. I added a little extra cayenne pepper for a kick! The amounts of cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder can all be amped up as desired, the above measurements were my idea of perfecto!
- Top with all your favorite taco toppings and dig in! It's great right away and fabulous the next day too!
Notes
Since we're going the super-speedy route for this recipe, the bell peppers will still be firm in this soup. Not a fan of the texture? No worries! You can sauté them in the pot first before adding the soup base for tender bell peppers, skip them, or simmer a little longer to soften the peppers. I love them any which way so you're good to go no matter which approach you take!
Recipe yields 4 small servings or 2 big bowls if you're hungry!
Much like it’s crunchy hand-held counterpart, taco soup is one of those super simple, easily customizable meals that can be made a million and one ways and taste great every time. When there’s a slew of leftovers in the fridge, or we can’t figure out what on earth to eat, this default dish has our back! With so many combinations possible, every night can be taco night! Or in this case, taco soup night!
So, what are you waiting for? Show those leftovers some love!
And while you’re at it, jump on instagram and tag your food-related photos with #NourishEveryBody and @PacificFoods to help feed a child in need. For every tagged photo you share, Pacific Foods will feed a hungry child. Read about it here.
What’s your favorite way to use up leftovers?
hungry for more?
Disclaimer: Biggest thanks ever to Pacific Foods for sponsoring this recipe and helping me prevent food waste with some leftover love! As always, all opinions and shenanigans are my own doing.
Kathryn Doherty says
Oh hello, my new favorite soup! Seriously, taco goodness and soup comfort all rolled into one? AND easy and fast? Do you think my family will notice if I serve this every 4th night? Hmmm… Great recipe! XO
Jenn says
We’re already clamoring to have it again – Hope y’all love it as much as we do!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
I love a good hearty soup and this Taco Soup is totally calling my name!! Yum!
Jenn says
Thanks Cyndi! <3 Hope you get your hands on a bowl soon!
Lauren & Hall Nesting says
I love using leftovers to make new meals! And we always have these ingredients to make this!!
Jenn says
Yay! Thanks Lauren!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
This looks and sounds wonderful! The perfect comfort food!
Jenn says
Thanks so much Kimberly! <3
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Oh hello! This is my kind of leftovers dinner idea! And Pacific’s red pepper soup is my fave!!
Jenn says
It’s totally my new favorite from them – SO GOOD!!! <3 Thanks Anna!
Michelle @ blackberry babe says
Genius use of packaged soup! Taco soup is always a hit and this makes it so easy!
Jenn says
Thanks Michelle! I already want another bowl
Sandra says
Taco anything…I’m in! Looks incredible yummy and creamy.
Sandra says
incredibly***
Jenn says
Sooooo yummy! Thanks Sandra!
Julia (@Imagelicious) says
Delicious soup and I love that it has a shortcut for a quick after work dinner
Jenn says
Thanks so much Julia! I always need a few shortcuts on crazy nights!
LindySez says
Waste not, want not…right? I love the idea of this soup, and using the Tomato Red Pepper soup as the base is really a kick-start great idea. I’ll bet this would also be yummy with left-over rotisserie chicken because like you we are only two anymore and always have left-over chicken. Cheers ~Lindy
Jenn says
Yes! Thanks so much Lindy! I think it’ll be marvelous with leftover chicken! Let me know if you get a chance to try it!
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
I love revamping leftovers! This soup looks delicious So good that maybe I might skip taco night and just have a bowl of this instead!!
Jenn says
Haha thanks Dini! I’ll join you!
Anna @ Sunny Side Ups says
You are my hero with this amazing soup!! I have to admit, a lot of leftovers go uneaten at my house, but if I can repurpose them into a whole new delicious meal, it’s a huge win! I’ve got that same box of Red Pepper and Tomato Soup in my pantry now, so I foresee your yummy recipe happening SOON! Can’t wait!
Jenn says
Ahhh so excited! Hope you adore it Anna! The red pepper tomato base totally MADE this soup! <3
Michelle @ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
We always use our taco leftovers for taco salad or nachos, but now you’ve inspired me to make this taco soup!
Jenn says
Yay! Thanks Michelle!
Maria says
Looks so yummy and easy to boot! I love taking shortcuts wherever I can and soups are perfect for them. I’m going to bookmark this!
Richard says
Printed, bookmarked, screen shot, and wife forwarded. If it’s easy and cheesy we’re all about it.
Thanks!!
Cathy Trochelman says
I love the idea of starting this soup with Pacific Red Pepper & Tomato Soup – my favorite! Sounds delicious!
Amanda {Striped Spatula} says
Beautiful soup! Looks bright and full of flavor. Sounds great for busy schedules!
Jenn says
Thanks Amanda!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
I LOVE having a couple of boxed soups lying around to make quick dinners. This shortcut taco soup looks like just what I need for weeknight dinners!
Jenn says
It’s so ridiculously satisfying too! I usually need a side dish with soups but this one stole the show all on it’s own!
Kimberly says
Oh my goodness … I never thought to use our taco leftovers to make soup! Totally trying this after our next Taco Tuesday night!
Jenn says
Super excited you’ll be making it! Hope you looooove it Kimberly! <3
Darlene @ Dip Recipe Creations says
This looks fabulous! I really love soups especially this time of year and especially easy ones. Awesome photos too!
Jenn says
Thanks Darlene!!! Soup is totally a must around here right now – total comfort food!
Tara says
three words… Delicious. Delicious. Delicious! They didn’t have to be different words did they? Please keep ‘Love your leftovers’ coming!
Jenn says
Bahaha thank you Tara! I’ll take a trio of deliciouses any day! 😉 I’m glad you’re loving the series because I have another installment on the way! Woot!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
I am crushing on this recipe, Jenn! I know it would be a big hit over the holidays and I love that you can use up leftovers. Brilliant idea! Fabulous photos, too