Hearty Cheesy Ham and Potato Chowder
This Hearty Cheesy Ham and Potato Chowder is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for using up leftover holiday ham. The richness of the creamy cheddar blends beautifully with tender potatoes and succulent chunks of ham, creating a satisfying, hearty meal. Simmered to perfection and finished with a luscious cheese sauce, this chowder is guaranteed to warm your soul and delight your taste buds. Just ask my son, who claimed it's the best soup he's ever had!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
4 cups (Boiling for stock)
ham bone
1 large (For making stock)
potatoes, diced
2 1/4 cups (Diced)
medium potatoes, halved
2 (Halved, to be boiled until soft)
ham, cubed
2 1/4 cups (Cubed)
onion, diced
1 medium (Diced)
garlic cloves, minced
3 (Minced)
butter
5 tablespoons (Melted)
flour
5 tablespoons (For making a roux)
milk
2 1/2 cups (Added to cream sauce)
shredded cheddar cheese
1 3/4 cups (Added to cream sauce)
salt
to taste (For seasoning)
pepper
to taste (For seasoning)
Instructions
1
In a large covered stock pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil with the ham bone. Allow it to simmer for approximately 1 hour to create a rich stock. (If you prefer, you can skip this step and use 4 chicken bouillon cubes or 4 cups of chicken broth instead.)
2
Once the stock is ready, carefully remove the ham bone and strain the liquid to eliminate any debris, setting aside the clear stock.
3
Return the strained stock to the pot and add the two halved medium potatoes. Cook until soft, then remove and place in a separate bowl.
4
In the same pot, add the diced potatoes, diced ham, onion, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the diced potatoes are tender.
5
Mash the reserved halved potatoes with a small amount of milk until smooth, then stir this mixture back into the chowder to help thicken it.
6
In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Gradually add the flour, one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously to create a smooth roux.
7
Once the roux is formed, slowly pour in the milk while stirring constantly until well blended and thickened. Let this cream sauce simmer for about 2 minutes before removing from heat.
8
Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the cream sauce, mixing until the cheese is fully melted and smooth.
9
Pour the cheese sauce into the soup, gently stirring to combine, and let the chowder simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors together. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Cheesy Ham and Potato Chowder?
It is a rich and comforting soup made with a creamy cheddar base, tender potatoes, and succulent chunks of ham, often using leftover holiday ham.
How do I make the stock for this chowder?
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil with a large ham bone and simmer for approximately 1 hour to create a rich stock.
Can I make this soup without a ham bone?
Yes, you can skip the bone-simmering step and use 4 chicken bouillon cubes or 4 cups of chicken broth instead.
How many potatoes are needed for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 medium potatoes halved and an additional 2 1/4 cups of diced potatoes.
How is the chowder thickened?
It is thickened in two ways: by stirring in mashed boiled potatoes and by adding a roux-based cheese sauce.
What type of cheese is used?
The recipe uses 1 3/4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
How much ham is required?
You will need 2 1/4 cups of cubed ham.
What aromatics are used in the base?
One medium diced onion and three minced garlic cloves provide the aromatic base.
How do I make the roux for the cheese sauce?
Melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and gradually whisk in 5 tablespoons of flour until smooth.
How much milk is needed for the sauce?
The recipe requires 2 1/2 cups of milk for the cream sauce.
How long should the cream sauce simmer?
Let the cream sauce simmer for about 2 minutes before removing it from the heat to add the cheese.
When do I add the cheese to the recipe?
Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the cream sauce after it has thickened and been removed from the heat.
How long does the final chowder need to simmer?
After combining the cheese sauce with the soup, let it simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors.
Is this a good recipe for holiday leftovers?
Yes, it is specifically described as the ultimate comfort food for using up leftover holiday ham.
What seasonings are recommended?
The recipe suggests seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
What should I do if my stock has debris?
Once the stock is ready, remove the ham bone and strain the liquid to ensure you have a clear stock.
How do I prepare the halved potatoes?
Boil them in the stock until soft, then remove them and mash them with a small amount of milk before adding them back to the soup.
Can I add the milk all at once to the roux?
It is best to slowly pour in the milk while stirring constantly to ensure the sauce is well blended and thickened.
What is the serving temperature?
This chowder should be served hot.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 minced garlic cloves.
What kind of pot is best for this recipe?
A large covered stock pot is recommended.
What is the total amount of butter used?
The recipe uses 5 tablespoons of butter.
What is the total amount of flour used?
The recipe uses 5 tablespoons of flour.
Is this chowder considered a hearty meal?
Yes, the description labels it as a satisfying, hearty meal that is guaranteed to warm your soul.
How much water is needed for the stock?
The recipe starts with 4 cups of water.
Can I use different types of potatoes?
While the recipe specifies medium potatoes, you can use any variety suitable for boiling and mashing, like Russet or Yukon Gold.
Does the recipe contain any fiber?
While not specified in the data, the potatoes and onions provide some dietary fiber.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
No added sugar is listed in the ingredients.
How do I prepare the onion?
The onion should be diced before being added to the pot.
What makes the texture luscious?
The combination of mashed potatoes and a butter-flour-milk cheese sauce creates a luscious texture.