Cheesy Taco Soup

Since, it's been rainy and cold lately, I decided it was time to try a new soup, Cheesy Taco Soup.  I usually make Paula Deen's Taco Soup, but I was looking for something different and I didn't want to make that big of a batch.  I'm not that big on leftovers!

Brown ground beef in a large soup pot over medium-high heat, seasoning with salt and pepper (I add Tony's to mine), until no longer pink. Drain and return to pot.

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat then whisk in flour and cook for one minute.

Slowly whisk in 1 cup milk, season with salt and pepper, then switch to a wooden spoon and stir mixture until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.

 Remove from heat then stir in shredded cheese until smooth.

Add taco seasoning, rotel, black beans, cheese sauce, and remaining 1-1/2 cups milk into cooked ground beef then stir well to combine. Bring to a heavy simmer then turn heat down to medium and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cheesy Taco Soup

 Serves 4-6

Adapted from The Recipe Critic via Pillsbury

Ingredients:

1lb lean ground beef

2 Tablespoons butter

2 Tablespoons flour

2-1/2 cups milk, divided

salt & pepper (and Tony's)

1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for topping

1 package taco seasoning

10oz can Rotel, undrained

15oz can black beans, drained & rinsed

Crushed tortilla chips or cornbread

Directions:

Brown ground beef in a large soup pot over medium-high heat,seasoning with salt and pepper, until no longer pink. Drain and return to pot.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heatthen whisk in flour and cook for one minute. Slowly whisk in 1 cup milk, seasonwith salt and pepper, then switch to a wooden spoon and stir mixture untilthickened, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat then stir in shredded cheeseuntil smooth. Set aside.

Add taco seasoning, rotel, black beans, cheese sauce, andremaining 1-1/2 cups milk into cooked ground beef then stir well to combine.Bring to a heavy simmer then turn heat down to medium and simmer for 10 minutes,stirring occasionally. Serve with crushed tortilla chips and more shreddedcheese, if desired.