Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup is a hearty and delicious comfort food, perfect for using up leftover ham. Here’s a simple recipe for you:

 

Slow Cooker Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

 

Ingredients:

 

3-4 cups diced potatoes (about 4-5 medium potatoes)

2 cups diced cooked ham

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3-4 garlic cloves, minced

4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

1 cup diced carrots (optional)

1 cup diced celery (optional)

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves)

1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Salt to taste

Chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish

 

Instructions:

 

1.Preparation: In the slow cooker, combine the diced potatoes, ham, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, thyme, black pepper, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.

2.Cooking: Cover and set your slow cooker to LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the potatoes are tender.

3.Make the Roux: About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve the soup, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth and cook for 1-2 minutes until the roux turns a light golden color. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream or half-and-half until smooth and thickened.

4.Cheese: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheese until smooth.

5.Combine: Pour the cheese mixture into the slow cooker and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if necessary. If the soup is too thick, you can add a little more broth or milk to reach the desired consistency.

6.Serving: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley or chives. Serve hot with crusty bread or a green salad on the side.

 

Tips:

 

-If you prefer a smoother soup, you can use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup before adding the cheese mixture.

-You can also add some diced bell peppers or corn for additional flavor and color.

-For an added kick, you could include a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chopped jalapeños.

 

Enjoy your creamy, cheesy ham and potato soup! It’s sure to warm you up on a cold day.