Creamy Cheesy Ham & Potato Delight
Indulge in the comforting warmth of our Creamy Cheesy Ham & Potato Delight, a hearty stew that combines tender chunks of potatoes with savory ham and a rich, cheesy broth. This recipe marries flavors and textures to create a soul-satisfying meal that your family will adore. With every spoonful, you'll relish the creamy base, the delightful crunch of fresh vegetables, and the smoky essence of crispy bacon. Perfect for chilly evenings, this stew is best enjoyed with a side of homemade cornbread and a fresh salad, making for a complete and hearty meal that will leave everyone asking for seconds! It's an excellent way to use leftover ham, turning it into a culinary masterpiece that shines in flavor and comfort.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Yukon gold potatoes
9 (Chopped into bite-sized pieces, skins left on if preferred)
Idaho russet potatoes
2 large (Chopped into bite-sized pieces, skins left on if preferred)
Sweet potatoes
2 (Peeled and mashed smooth)
Chicken broth
32 ounces (Combined with cheddar cheese soup)
Cheddar cheese soup
1 (8 ounce) can (Combined with chicken broth)
Sweet onion
1 large (Chopped)
Leeks
3 (Chopped)
Garlic cloves
3-4 (Minced)
Hot red chili peppers
2 (Minced)
Carrots
3 (Chopped)
Celery ribs
2 (Chopped)
Cooked ham
1 1/2 cups (Cubed)
Bacon
9 pieces (Cooked and chopped)
Half-and-half cream
1 pint (Added to stew)
Sweet corn
1 (8 ounce) can (Added to stew)
Cilantro
3 tablespoons (Chopped)
Cornstarch
1 tablespoon (Used to thicken stew)
Cheddar cheese
2 cups (Shredded and melted into stew)
Milk
as needed (To adjust stew consistency)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing all the vegetables and ingredients: chop the onion, leeks, garlic, carrots, and celery; cube the ham; and cook the bacon until crispy. Set everything aside.
2
In a large pot, add water and boil the Yukon Gold, Idaho russet, and sweet potatoes until fork-tender, about 40 minutes. Once cooked, chop the Yukon Gold and Idaho potatoes into bite-sized pieces, leaving the skins on if preferred. Set aside the chopped potatoes and peel and mash the sweet potatoes until smooth, then set them aside as well.
3
In the large pot, combine the chicken broth and cheddar cheese soup over medium to medium-low heat. Be cautious not to boil! Once warm, gently stir in the mashed sweet potatoes until it thickens.
4
In a separate pan, sauté the chopped onion over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add in the leeks, minced garlic, and minced hot red chili peppers. Cook until caramelized, then add these sautéed ingredients to the broth pot.
5
Stir in the chopped carrots and celery, then let the stew simmer for about 20 additional minutes, stirring occasionally, until all vegetables are tender.
6
Add the previously chopped Yukon and Idaho potato pieces, cubed ham, and crispy bacon to the pot. Heat everything through for about 15 minutes.
7
Now, stir in the half-and-half cream, canned sweet corn, and chopped cilantro, ensuring even distribution throughout the stew. Once everything is heated, mix in the cornstarch and shredded cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese melts smoothly into the stew.
8
If the stew is too thick, gradually add milk until you reach your desired consistency. Enjoy this delicious, creamy stew with fresh cornbread and a side salad!
9
Serve and savor each delicious bite!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Creamy Cheesy Ham & Potato Delight.
How would you describe this dish?
It is a hearty stew that combines tender chunks of potatoes with savory ham in a rich, cheesy broth, featuring crispy bacon and fresh vegetables.
What are the primary ingredients in this stew?
The main ingredients include three types of potatoes (Yukon Gold, Idaho russet, and sweet potatoes), cooked ham, bacon, chicken broth, and cheddar cheese.
What types of potatoes are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 9 Yukon gold potatoes, 2 large Idaho russet potatoes, and 2 sweet potatoes.
How long should the potatoes be boiled?
The potatoes should be boiled in water for about 40 minutes until they are fork-tender.
How are the sweet potatoes prepared?
The sweet potatoes are peeled and mashed until smooth before being added to the broth to help thicken it.
Do I need to peel the Yukon Gold and Idaho potatoes?
No, you can leave the skins on if you prefer when chopping them into bite-sized pieces.
What is the base of the stew broth?
The broth is made by combining 32 ounces of chicken broth with an 8-ounce can of cheddar cheese soup.
Which vegetables are sautéed before being added to the pot?
Sweet onion, leeks, minced garlic, and minced hot red chili peppers are sautéed until caramelized.
How long should I sauté the onion?
The chopped sweet onion should be sautéed for about 5 minutes over medium heat.
Does this recipe have a spicy kick?
Yes, it includes 2 minced hot red chili peppers for added flavor.
How long do the carrots and celery need to simmer?
They should simmer in the stew for about 20 minutes until they are tender.
How much ham is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 and a half cups of cubed cooked ham.
Is bacon used in this recipe?
Yes, 9 pieces of bacon are cooked until crispy and then chopped for the stew.
What type of cream is used to make the stew creamy?
One pint of half-and-half cream is stirred in toward the end of the cooking process.
Is there corn in this stew?
Yes, one 8-ounce can of sweet corn is added.
What fresh herb is used for seasoning?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro.
How do you thicken the stew further?
The stew is thickened using 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and the mashed sweet potatoes.
How much shredded cheese is added?
Two cups of shredded cheddar cheese are mixed in until melted smoothly.
What should I do if the stew is too thick?
You can gradually add milk until you reach your desired consistency.
What are the suggested side dishes?
This stew is best enjoyed with homemade cornbread and a fresh side salad.
Is this recipe good for using leftovers?
Yes, it is an excellent way to use up leftover ham.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 19 ingredients listed for this recipe.
What is the total preparation and cooking time for the potatoes?
The initial boiling process for the potatoes takes approximately 40 minutes.
At what temperature should the broth and soup be combined?
They should be combined over medium to medium-low heat, being careful not to let it boil.
When do you add the meats back into the pot?
The cubed ham and crispy bacon are added along with the chopped potato pieces and heated through for 15 minutes.
How many leeks are needed?
The recipe calls for 3 chopped leeks.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 3 to 4 minced garlic cloves.
What type of onion is best for this dish?
A large sweet onion is recommended.
Is this considered comfort food?
Yes, it is described as a soul-satisfying meal perfect for chilly evenings.