The Ultimate Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

The Satisfaction of Sipping on a Bowl of Steaming The Ultimate Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights Soup on Cold Days

On days when the weather becomes chilly and nasty, people are normally covered in warm blankets and one thing can be perfect for the evening: a bowl of steaming soup. Cheesy ham and potato soup take the cake as the entrenched number one dish in the sounds that bring comfort. It melts in your mouth, is rich in texture, and is full of flavors that warm you.

Whether you are looking for a recipe for a family dinner, a simple meal after a busy day at work, or something you intend to serve to your friends and family at a potluck, this recipe will have you covered.

What Makes This Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup Stand Out

This isn’t just any conventional soup, this is more of an experience. The smoothness of the potatoes, the richness of the ham, and the smokiness of the cheese make for a bright and bold dish that’s unequivocally comforting. Added to that, everybody has their preferences when it comes to eating soup. That’s what makes it great, its universality— if you like chunky, smooth, or even spicy there is one for everyone.

Key Ingredients for the Best Taste Possible

The key to everything lies beneath the ingredients. Yukon Gold potatoes lend the soup a nice creaminess and the soup gets a delicious flavor with the use of good-quality smoked ham. As for cheese, sharp cheddar does the trick perfectly and provides a punching flavor that pairs well with the mild sweetness of the potatoes.

Advice for Picking the Best Ham and Potatoes

Make sure you pick ham with sufficient lean meat and some fat to get the best taste. Avoid blemished potatoes and use only the firm ones so they can cook evenly and also improve the soup.

Optional Add-Ins for Customization

Would you like to make this recipe your own? For a different touch, add some crispy bacon bits, diced carrots, or a handful of fresh spinach.

Prepping Ingredients Like a Pro

The best way to go about cooking is to make sure you require as little effort as possible once the process has started. Cut the potatoes and dice them properly so they cook evenly. To get the needed texture, it is recommended to shred the cheese yourself instead of buying pre-shredded cheese.

Devices You Will Need for Easy Cooking

Get a heavy-based pot, a large chef’s knife, and a thick wooden spoon. When the recipe’s texture is reached, a potato masher or immersion blender is sometimes quite handy.

Ingredient

For The Soup:
4 cups potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes (preferably Yukon Gold or Russet)
1 cup individual ham, cube a bunch of pieces
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced; mashed
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken stock (or vegetarian soup stock)
2 cups of cream (or heavy cream)
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon salt (or as required)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/25 teaspoon smoked paprika – optional

Optional Add-Ins:

½ a cup of carrots, diced
1/2 cup of chopped celery
1/4 cup of green onions or parsley for garnish

How to Cook it Step by Step

1. Preparing the Ingredients

Firstly, peel and lower the potato tubers into small cubes uniformly.

The 2nd step is dicing and shredding the cheese. It is advisable to work with freshly grated cheese.

2. Sauté The Aromatics

Use a large, heavy saucepan and place over a medium flame. On that, pour melted, unsalted butter and allow it to dissolve first.

Once everything is ready, add the cut onions and garlic. Sauté onion for about 3-4 min, or until the onion becomes soft and translucent looking.

3. Make The Roux

Sift the flour over the onion and garlic. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to make the roux and combine it with the onion.

4. Introduction of Liquids

Add the chicken broth and stir at the same time to avoid the forming of lumps.

Next, milk (or cream) is introduced and the mixture is stirred and allowed to simmer for 2-3 minutes.

5. Prepare Le Patate

Now, that the potatoes are diced into smaller cubes, add them to the pot. Place it over moderate heat, allowing for a soft boil, reduce the temperature, and let the potatoes simmer till they are soft enough to be pierced with a fork approximately fifteen to twenty minutes.

6. Introduction of Ham and Cheese

The next step will be to include the diced ham and cheese. Do not raise the flame as this will bring about curdling of the cheese even before it has melted completely.

7. Add, If Necessary, Salt and Pepper and Focus on Smoked Paprika

If necessary spice it with salt and pepper and possibly smoked paprika. Taste the mixture and if considered necessary add seasoning.

8. Optional: Blend to make cream thick

Use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup, creating a creamier texture. Using a potato masher, ‘mash’ a few potatoes to make the soup more rustic.

9. Presentation of the soup and sprinkles

The soup is portioned out into bowls and further decorated with green pieces of onions, fresh green leaves of parsley, or more cheese. Crusty bread and crackers are ideal for serving.

Spicy Kick with the Highs of Jalapeños or Chili Flakes

If you get cold easily and want to make it hot, then add diced jalapeños or sprinkle a few red chili flakes. The heat enhances the flavor profile of the dish because the coolness is cut by the spice.

Making It Vegetarian but Still Sustaining the Heaviness

Replace the ham with roasted mushrooms instead of chicken stock use vegetable broth. To the soup, add a little bit of smoked paprika to replace the smoked ham’s taste.

Diving Deep into the Regional Variation

Go for culturally-based ingredients such as corn and green chiles for Southwestern variations or dill and sour cream for European variations.

Firm Side Dishes that Should Go with This Soup

Serve this soup with crusty sourdough loaves, garlic toasts, or just a simple green salad. The variety of textures makes for a great enhancement to the overall experience of the meal.

My Frequently Asked Questions Section

1. Can I prepare this soup a few days in advance?

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. This soup can be prepared up to 48 hours ahead of time and refrigerated. It can be kept in an airtight container and put in the refrigerator. The heat can be done with low heat on the stovetop and adding a modest amount of milk or broth will replenish the creaminess.

2. Is it possible to freeze cheesy ham and potato soup?

Yes, the soup can be frozen, however, the texture will likely be somewhat different because of the dairy. Store it in a container that is freezer-safe for up to three months. Before reheating the soup, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator for one day.

3. Is it possible to create a gluten-free version of this recipe?

Sure thing! Instead of using all-purpose flour, use cornstarch or a blend of gluten-free flour.

4. What other cheeses can I use?

In addition to sharp cheddar which many people use, Gruyere, Monterey Jack or a smoked gouda can also be used to add some unique flavors.

---

Creative variations :

Spicy twist: Incorporating khirlio or injecting some cayenne pepper provides a sharp and fragrant kick.

Vegetarian version: Instead of ham, use roasted mushrooms and for chicken stock, vegetable broth can be used.

Southwestern flair: For a Tex-Mex feel, include corn dust, black beans, and a hint of cumin in the use.

Related recipes

Those who love this cheesy ham and potato soup will also like the best:

Creamy Broccoli and Cheddar Soup.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup.

Hearty Chicken with Wild Rice Chowder.

Traditional Clam Chowder.

Christmas prime roast ribs dinner.

Storage and Reheating.

Storage: Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge not exceeding 3 days.

Reheating: Warm on the stove or microwave on low settings and add some milk or broth for fragmentation. Do not use high temperatures to reduce the risk of collaring.

This cheesy ham and potato soup recreates all reasonable advice regarding the attainment of hearty meals. A creamy taste, rich flavors, and all go perfectly making it a recipe to come to in cold weather. Accompanied with crusty bread the delectable soup warms up the entire table.

Perhaps you might like to alter the recipe by incorporating ingredients that suit your taste and feel free to showcase your special niche variations to friends and family (click here). A bowl of soup does not only quench hunger. It soothes, brings back memories, and is packed with love.