Easy Cheesy Ham & Potato Chowder
Easy Cheesy Ham & Potato Chowder is a simple, down-home bowl of comfort! If you like having a little leftover soup in the fridge, you might want to double this recipe.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soups
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 medium red potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2″ dice
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3–1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces shredded cheese or other favorite cheese or combo
- 1–1/2 cups cubed fully cooked ham, diced
- salt & pepper to taste
- Minced chives or green onion
Instructions
Place potatoes and salt in a large saucepan. Add water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce to a good simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, 6 to 10 minutes or so. Drain in colander.
In the still hot pan, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion and saute until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking for about two more minutes.
Add the milk, bit by bit, whisking constantly. Stir in milk and cook until thickened, whisking often. Dip a spoon in the mixture & run a finger over the back of the spoon. The line should remain distinct when it’s thick enough.
Turn off heat and add cheese in small handfuls, stirring after each. Add ham and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with green onion or chive.
Notes
Any good melting cheese works well in this soup. We liked a combo of diced Velveeta & Sharp Cheddar.
Change up this soup by adding, before the cheese, to heat through:
- 1 1/2 cups frozen, thawed & drained chopped broccoli
- 1 1/2 cups cooked frozen and thawed or canned and drained corn
- For more depth of flavor, add chopped garlic right after sauteeing the onion.