Creamy Cheesy Ham and Potato Delight
Indulge in this rich and creamy Cheesy Ham and Potato Delight, the perfect comfort soup for chilly nights or as a way to utilize leftover ham. Loaded with tender potatoes, hearty vegetables, and a velvety cheese sauce, this soup is a hug in a bowl. Feel free to customize it by adding garlic or swapping in your favorite vegetables—for example, corn or peas—for added flavor and color. This delicious soup not only warms the soul but is also a crowd-pleaser that your family will love. Serve it with crusty bread for a complete meal!
8
Servings
360
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Potatoes, peeled and diced
3 1/2 cups (peeled and diced (peel can be left on if desired))
Celery, diced
1/3 cup (diced)
Onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup (finely chopped)
Carrot, chopped
1 cup (chopped)
Ham, diced and cooked
1-2 cups (diced and cooked)
Chicken broth or Ham stock
3 1/4 cups (or use 3 1/4 cups ham stock)
Chicken bouillon granules
2 tablespoons (omit if using chicken broth)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
1 teaspoon
Butter
5 tablespoons
Flour
5 tablespoons
Milk
2 cups
Cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups (shredded)
Instructions
1
In a large stockpot, combine the diced potatoes, celery, chopped carrots, finely chopped onion, and diced ham.
2
Pour in the chicken broth or ham stock, bringing the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
3
Stir in the chicken bouillon granules, salt (if needed), and black pepper, allowing the flavors to meld.
4
In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Gradually whisk in the flour, cooking while stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes.
5
Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Increase the heat to medium and continue to stir until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, approximately 4-5 minutes.
6
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it is completely melted and smooth.
7
Pour the cheese mixture into the stockpot with the cooked vegetables and ham. Stir well to combine, and cook for an additional 5 minutes over low heat until heated through.
8
For a thicker consistency, gently break up some of the potatoes using a wooden spoon. The soup will thicken more as it cools and can be even more flavorful the next day.
Nutrition Information
18g
Fat
34g
Carbs
20.25g
Protein
3g
Fiber
3g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Cheesy Ham and Potato Delight?
It is a rich and creamy comfort soup featuring tender potatoes, hearty vegetables, and a velvety cheese sauce, often used to utilize leftover ham.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 8 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving of this soup contains approximately 360 calories.
Can I use leftover ham for this soup?
Yes, this soup is an excellent way to use 1-2 cups of diced, cooked leftover ham.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
The recipe suggests peeling the potatoes, but the peel can be left on if you prefer a more rustic texture.
What vegetables are included in the recipe?
The soup includes potatoes, celery, carrots, and onions.
Can I add other vegetables to the soup?
Yes, you can customize the soup by adding vegetables like corn or peas for extra flavor and color.
How do I thicken the soup base?
The base is thickened using a roux made of 5 tablespoons of butter and 5 tablespoons of flour mixed with milk.
Can I make the soup even thicker?
For a thicker consistency, you can gently break up some of the cooked potatoes using a wooden spoon.
How long do the potatoes need to simmer?
The potatoes and vegetables should simmer in the broth for about 15 minutes until they are tender.
What kind of broth should I use?
You can use either 3 1/4 cups of chicken broth or 3 1/4 cups of ham stock.
Is chicken bouillon necessary?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of chicken bouillon granules, but you should omit them if you are already using chicken broth.
How much cheese is added to the recipe?
The recipe requires 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 18g of fat in each serving.
How much protein is in this soup?
Each serving provides 20.25g of protein.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 34g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber does this soup have?
This recipe contains 3g of fiber per serving.
Is there sugar in this soup?
Yes, there is approximately 3g of sugar per serving.
How do I prepare the cheese sauce?
Melt butter, whisk in flour, gradually add milk until thickened, then stir in shredded cheese until smooth.
How long does it take to cook the roux?
The butter and flour mixture should be stirred constantly for about 2-3 minutes until lightly golden.
Can I add garlic to the recipe?
Yes, garlic can be added for additional flavor.
What should I serve with this soup?
This soup is best served with crusty bread for a complete meal.
Does the soup taste better the next day?
Yes, the soup can be even more flavorful the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
How much milk is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of milk to create the creamy base.
What are the primary seasonings used?
The soup is seasoned with chicken bouillon, salt to taste, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 13 ingredients in this recipe.
What is the final step of cooking?
After combining the cheese mixture with the vegetables and ham, cook for an additional 5 minutes over low heat until heated through.
How much butter is used?
The recipe uses 5 tablespoons of butter.
What type of cheese is best?
Shredded cheddar cheese is recommended for the best flavor and melting consistency.
How much potato is needed?
The recipe requires 3 1/2 cups of peeled and diced potatoes.