Description
A hearty and creamy Cheesy Rotel Soup featuring smoky sausage, vibrant bell peppers, celery, and a flavorful blend of tomatoes with green chiles simmered in broth and finished with melted cream cheese and shredded cheddar. Perfect for a comforting meal in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 13.5-ounce package smoked sausage, sliced
Vegetables
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 small onion (about 1/2 cup), finely chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cups celery, finely chopped
Liquids & Canned Goods
- 1 32-ounce broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)
- 1 10-ounce can tomatoes with green chiles (undrained)
Dairy
- 6 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Smoked Sausage: In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, brown the sliced smoked sausage over medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even browning. Once browned, drain off any excess grease to keep the soup from becoming too greasy.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the minced garlic, finely chopped onion, orange and red bell peppers, and celery to the pot with the sausage. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, enhancing the soup’s flavor base.
- Add the Tomatoes and Broth: Pour the undrained can of tomatoes with green chiles along with your choice of broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable) into the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Soup: Lower the heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the soup to simmer gently for 25 minutes. This simmering step melds flavors together and further softens the vegetables for a rich, balanced taste.
- Add the Cheese: Just before serving, stir in the cubed cream cheese followed by the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until all the cheese has melted completely and the soup has a creamy, velvety texture.
- Serve Hot: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately to enjoy the warm, cheesy, and smoky flavors at their best.
Notes
- For a thinner soup, add additional broth or water while simmering.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by using mild or spicy Rotel tomatoes.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar for a lighter version.
- If preferred, substitute smoked sausage with smoked turkey sausage for a leaner protein option.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
