Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

Name: Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 cup yellow onion (diced ); 1 cup celery (diced ); 1 cup carrots (diced ); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 4 cups golden potatoes (peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes (5-6 small)); 2 cups cooked ham (cut into ½-inch pieces); 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth (1 ½ quarts low-sodium ); ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste); ½ teaspoon cracked pepper (plus more to taste); 5 tablespoons unsalted butter; ⅔ cup all-purpose flour (80g ); 2 ½ cups milk (whole or 2%); 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded )

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A comforting way to use up leftovers, this Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup comes together in just 35 minutes. Packed with potatoes, veggies, and real cheddar cheese, this ham soup recipe is a meal in itself and great for busy weeknights.

A creamy bowl of cheesy ham and potato soup on a table with cheese scattered around.

📌 Soup Summary

😋 Flavor Profile: Rich, savory, and comforting.
🕒 Total Time: 35 Minutes
🥄 Texture: Thick, creamy, and chunky with tender potatoes and bits of ham.
👩‍🍳 Best For: Cozy weeknight dinners, cold weather meals, or feeding a hungry crowd.
💡 Pro Tip: Shred your own cheese and add it off heat to keep the soup silky and prevent graininess.

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Simmered to perfection, this ham potato cheese soup is perfect for cold weather, along with my cheesy potato broccoli soup, of course. Made savory with leftover ham, broth, and an easy cheese roux, the soup is a hearty meal all on its own (as most ham soup ideas are).

I personally love curling up with this quick ham and potato soup (paired with one of my cheddar cheese biscuits for total warmth ) through the winter months. Its creamy, cheesy flavor, and knowing it's packed with vegetables, make it so getting a balanced dinner on the table doesn't seem so challenging.

Why This Recipe Works

Picture of Lyn in front of a red background.

Cheese Roux: This cheesy ham potato soup uses a separate cheese roux, which keeps the soup creamy rather than grainy.
Creamy Texture: In addition to adding the roux separately, the soup is cooked at a controlled simmer rather than a boil. This helps create the perfect texture, which you can adjust to suit your preference.
Minimal Prep Time: The soup is on the table in 35 minutes with just 10 minutes of prep, making it ideal for hectic, busy nights.

Lyn

Ingredients + Substitutions

Ingredients to make this soup on a table.

Golden Potatoes: These potatoes hold their shape when cooked in broth, meaning they don't dissolve, keeping the soup creamy.
Cooked Ham: Any ham will work for the cheesy potato ham soup. Cut it into half-inch pieces so you get some protein with each bite. I like to use leftover ham! I'd recommend skipping ham deli meat as it won't have the same meaty texture.
Sharp Cheddar: This brings the best flavor to the soup, and freshly shredded will melt the smoothest.
Milk: Both whole milk and 2% will work for the soup, giving it a smooth texture. Using cream or half and half would make the soup too thick.
Broth: Chicken broth and homemade vegetable broth add a great flavor to the soup. If you choose a store-bought soup, opt for low-sodium so you can better control the saltiness.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Dietary Modifications & Variations

Extra Veggie-Packed: In the final moments of the soup simmering, add some frozen peas or corn to the pot for an extra sprinkle of veggies.
Cheese: Different cheeses will bring new flavor to the cheesy potato and ham soup. Fiesta cheese or smoked cheddar are subtle swaps to start with.
Other Proteins: Though ham is the main focus here, this soup also works with leftover turkey from a large meal, just like this turkey barley soup.

How to Make Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

The best part about easy leftover ham recipes is that they normally come together quickly, as the biggest prep work is done, and this potato soup is no exception.

Onion, celery, and carrots sauteing in a large pot.

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables. Sauté the onion, celery, and carrots in a large Dutch oven with olive oil until the onion is translucent, then add the garlic.

Ham, potatoes, broth, and salt added into the veggie mixture.

Step 2: Make the Base. Mix the leftover ham, potatoes, broth, and salt into the veggie mixture, then increase the heat to a simmer until the potatoes are tender. Stir in the pepper.

Step 3: Prep the Roux. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and whisk in the flour. Cook for a couple of minutes until it starts to sizzle.

Step 4: Add the Milk. Pour the milk into the roux and cook for another 5 minutes until it thickens. Remove it from the heat.

Cheddar cheese added to the milk mixture.

Step 5: Thicken the Roux. Add the cheddar cheese to the milk mixture and whisk until it's completely smooth.

The cheese roux poured into the ham soup.

Step 6: Mix in the Roux: Pour the cheese roux into the ham soup and stir until mixed and smooth, allowing it to cook for 3-4 minutes until thickened.

The ham and potato soup cooked in the Dutch oven.

Step 7: Taste Test. Give the soup a taste, then season with salt and pepper as needed.

Lyn's Top Tips

Timing: Try to time it so that after the ham soup has been simmering for 5 minutes, you start the roux. This will make it so that nothing is overcooked and the texture stays creamy.
Roux texture: When you're cooking the flour in the butter, you don't want to add the milk until the mixture begins to sizzle loudly and looks puffy. This is how you know it's ready.
Thickening: The cheese roux will thicken even more after adding the cheese.
Storing: Once cooled, store the creamy potato soup in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop over lower to medium heat. It will have thickened a bit as it cools, so you may want to add a splash or two of milk as it reheats.

A spoon scooping some cheesy ham potato soup.

Soup-er Toppings & Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this easy potato soup as a meal all on its own or pair it with some of our favorite toppings or sides.

Topped with cornbread croutons for more heartiness.
Serve a bowl of soup with a simple garden or Cesar salad. For a heartier option, try a ricotta toast topped with sliced tomato.
Paired with your favorite crunchy baguette and an easy dessert bar to finish off the meal. I love these crusty dinner rolls.

Recipe FAQs

How do I thicken potato and ham soup?

This soup has a naturally thick consistency thanks to the cheesy roux. However, if you want the soup even thicker, simmer it in the pot a little longer to allow some of the liquid to evaporate and thicken the soup. If you're definitely looking for a chowder-like consistency, only use 5 cups of broth instead of 6.

Can I make cheesy ham potato soup ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this soup ahead of time. Once cooked, let the soup cool fully before storing it in an airtight container. Reheat it the next day on the stove or in the slow cooker and add an extra splash of milk or broth if the mixture seems too thick.

Can I freeze ham and potato soup?

Though you can freeze this soup, the texture may be different on thawing and reheating, as the cheese may separate somewhat. For me, I found it to freeze and reheat pretty well with only a slight bit of graininess, but the flavor was still amazing. To freeze it, let it cool and store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove.

Cheesy ham and potato soup with crackers on the table.

More Hearty Winter Soup Recipes

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