1-Start by pulling together all the ingredients to make your cooking process smooth and fun. Begin with 1 pound of lean ground beef, browning it in a large pot over medium heat until it’s fully cooked and crumbly. This step builds a solid, flavorful base for your soup, taking just a few minutes to handle.

2-Once the beef is ready, add 4 cups of chicken broth to the pot, along with 2 cans of diced tomatoes with green chilies, 1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 can of corn (drained), and the chopped half of a red bell pepper. Mix in the seasonings: 1/2 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, plus salt and pepper to taste. Bringing these elements together creates that rich, layered flavor everyone loves.

3-Turn up the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then lower it and let it simmer uncovered for about 8 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the ingredients to soften just right.

4-After simmering, add 8 ounces of softened cream cheese in small pieces, stirring gently until it melts completely and gives the soup its creamy texture.

5-At this point, your soup is ready to serve, topped with items like grated cheddar cheese, avocado, cilantro, or tortilla strips for extra flair.