Following their shock Copa del Rey exit at the hands of Celta Vigo in midweek, Zidane made three changes to his side with goalkeeper Keylor Navas, Raphael Varane and Lucas Vazquez returning to the fold.
Mateo Kovacic and Cristiano Ronaldo struck either side of half-time to put Zinedine Zidane's side in control, after they'd seen title rivals Barcelona and Sevilla both drop points earlier in the day.
Sociedad could have moved above Atletico Madrid and into the top four with a win, but any chance of a comeback was quashed late on as Inigo Martinez was sent off, before Alvaro Morata came off the bench to net a third.
Real Madrid started shaky with the visitors steaming with confidence in the opening exchanges of the game until they scored with their first real chance of the game in the 38th minute with Ronaldo providing the assist for Kovacic's first La Liga goal of the season, it was Ronaldo's time to score six minutes into the second half with Kovacic turning the provider. Morata wrapped things up late on to ensure the win.
A speculative left-footed effort from the four-time Ballon d'Or winner drew a predictably mixed response as it skidded wide in the 33rd minute, with Toni Kroos in space screaming for the pass in vain.
More nervy defending followed from the hosts but they sprung into life seven minute prior to the interval – Ronaldo emerging from his malaise to place a delicate pass into the path of Kovacic, who coolly slotted past Geronimo Rulli.
Ronaldo almost teed-up Benzema for a boo-boy silencing second but Madrid were still brittle at the back and Juanmi burst through their ranks again to thrash wide on the stroke of half-time.
The breathing space Madrid needed came six minutes into the second half, with Kovacic returning the earlier favour by threading a brilliant pass for Ronaldo to dink an exquisite finish as Rulli went to ground.
Despite the relative comfort Zinedine Zidane's side enjoyed as the match passed the hour, Benzema still contended with some whistles when Morata was introduced in his place.
The comparatively popular Spain international headed home Ronaldo's 72nd-minute free-kick only to be correctly flagged for offside.
Rulli then landed his team in hot water with a clearance straight to Lucas Vazquez, recovering to save from the Madrid forward, but the sense Sociedad were unravelling was heightened as Martinez untidily clattered into Casemiro to earn his marching orders.
Morata stooped to head the counter-attacking goal Madrid had threatened for much of the second period eight minutes from time, meaning Zidane and his squad can head to Vigo in search of revenge next weekend with more of a spring in their step.
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