Ultimate Hearty Ham and Potato Cheese Chowder Recipe

Hearty Potato, Ham, and Cheese Chowder 🥔🧀🥣

Cook Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Description

We all hated potato soup, until I came up with this combination. It is a hearty meal on a cold winter’s day. Extra ham and bacon make it even more filling. It is a large batch, but freezes well. I sometimes bake the potatoes the night before to save time.

Category

Chowders

Keywords

• Ham
• Pork
• Meat
• Stove Top
• Less than 4 Hours

Ingredients

Optional Add-ins

• Bacon (cooked and crumbled)

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 920.9 kcal
• Fat: 44 g
• Saturated Fat: 19.4 g
• Cholesterol: 110.8 mg
• Sodium: 972.4 mg
• Carbohydrates: 94.9 g
• Fiber: 9.1 g
• Sugar: 4.3 g
• Protein: 38 g

Instructions

1. Bake the Potatoes

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). 🕒⏳
   • Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake until they are tender when pierced with a fork, about 60 minutes. 🥔🔥
   • Allow the potatoes to cool slightly once done. 🌬️

2. Prepare the Potatoes

   • Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them. 🥔🔪
   • Cut four of the potatoes into small cubes. 🥔📏
   • Mash the remaining four potatoes with a fork until smooth. 🥔🍴
   • Set the cubed and mashed potatoes aside. 🥔📦

3. Saute Vegetables

   • In a large soup pot, melt 4 tablespoons of margarine or butter over medium heat. 🍳🧈
   • Add the chopped onion and celery, sautéing until the celery is tender and the onion is translucent. This should take about 5-7 minutes. 🌰🍃🍳
   • Remove the sautéed vegetables from the pot and set aside. 🍲🍴

4. Make the Roux

   • In the same pot, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of margarine or butter over low heat. 🍳🧈
   • Add the flour to the melted butter, stirring constantly to form a smooth paste. Cook this roux over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. 🍲🥄

5. Add Milk

   • Gradually add the milk to the roux, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and to blend smoothly. 🍲🥛
   • Continue to cook and stir until the mixture begins to thicken. 🍲🥄

6. Season the Soup Base

   • Add the chicken bouillon cubes to the milk mixture, stirring until they are completely dissolved. 🍲🧂
   • Season with black pepper to taste. 🌶️

7. Combine Vegetables and Potatoes

   • Return the sautéed celery and onions to the pot. 🍲🥕
   • Add the mashed potatoes to the pot, stirring to combine thoroughly. 🍲🥔
   • Cook over medium heat until the soup is heated through, stirring occasionally. 🍲🔥

8. Add Ham and Cubed Potatoes

   • Stir in the cubed ham and the cubed potatoes. 🍲🥩🥔
   • Continue to cook over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. 🍲🥄

9. Add Cheese and Optional Bacon

   • Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese to the soup, stirring until it is melted and well combined. 🧀🍲
   • If using, add cooked and crumbled bacon at this stage. 🥓🍲

10. Adjust Consistency

    • If the soup is too thick for your liking, you can add more milk, a little at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. 🍲🥛

11. Serve and Enjoy

    • Ladle the hot chowder into bowls and serve immediately. This hearty chowder pairs wonderfully with a crusty loaf of bread or some oyster crackers. 🍲🥖🍽️

Tips for a Perfect Chowder

• Make Ahead: Baking the potatoes the night before can save you valuable time when preparing this chowder.
• Freezing: This chowder freezes beautifully. Simply cool the soup completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: When ready to enjoy, thaw the chowder overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a bit more milk if needed to adjust the consistency.
• Variations: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as Gruyere or Monterey Jack, for a different flavor profile.

This Hearty Potato, Ham, and Cheese Chowder is a delightful way to warm up on a cold day, combining the creamy richness of potatoes and cheese with the savory depth of ham and optional bacon. It’s sure to become a family favorite, bringing comfort and joy with every spoonful. 🍲😊