This Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup is simple and DELICIOUS!! With potatoes, ham, cheese, scallions, and yummy spices, this soup is FULL of flavor!
We tend to have leftover ham after holidays like Christmas and Easter, which is perfect for using in this soup! We also use leftovers for ham and bean soup, or cheesy ham chowder.
hearty ham potato soup
It’s no surprise that my family LOVES soup. It’s just something us Lunas have always enjoyed, which means we LOVE trying out and finding new soup recipes that we love.
For the longest time, we’ve been making this Crock pot Cheesy Potato Soup, because it’s easy and ALWAYS a hit!! I wanted to try another Potato Soup recipe, but thought I’d try one that had ham in it, hoping it would be just as good as our old potato soup recipe.
I’m happy to report that this Ham and Potato soup really is delicious!
It takes a little more time than our other Potato soup, but it tastes PHENOMENAL. I feel like this one was a little more cheesy and hearty with the ham chunks, so if you love hearty, warm soups, I suggest trying this one.
For only having a handful of simple ingredients, this ham soup really is sooo flavorful! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
How to make Ham Potato Soup
Not only does it have simple ingredients, but the process for making it is just as simple! It only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. I’m all about having quick soup recipes on hand for weeknight dinners!
COOK. Combine potatoes, ham and water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes (or until potatoes are tender). Add chicken bouillon cubes, salt, and pepper then mix.
THICKEN. In another pan, melt butter on medium heat. Whisk in flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute. Slowly add milk and continue whisking until sauce thickens (about 3-4 minutes). Add the milk mixture to your pot and cook soup until heated through.
SERVE. Add cheese right before serving, and top with scallions. Serve immediately.
Variations and Toppings
CHANGE IT UP:
- Throw in some diced carrots and celery
- We used russet potatoes, but red or gold potatoes will work too
- Use 4 c chicken broth in place of water and bouillon cubes
- Try smoked sausage in place of ham
MORE TOPPINGS TO ADD:
- Sour cream
- Green onions
- Chives
- Bacon
- Cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
Tips and Troubleshooting
How to thicken/thin potato soup?
- Potatoes: If you used russet potatoes, go ahead and smash a few of the cooked cubes and stir.
- Flour: In a separate bowl mix one tablespoon of flour with 1 cup of liquid from the soup. Once smooth pour the liquid back into the soup.
- Cornstarch: In a separate bowl mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Then pour into soup.
- Milk: If you accidently make it too thick, just add a little milk to thin it out.
FAQ
How to store? Store leftover soup in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat very gradually over low heat stirring frequently.
How to freeze? FREEZING the soup requires a little bit of planning ahead. Follow the recipe except for adding the cheese Also, keep in mind that due to the potatoes it may unthaw with a grainier texture than the original soup. To help remedy this, undercook the potatoes before freezing.
To freeze, allow the soup to cool and store in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 6 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat over low heat. A double boiler works great as does a crockpot or a large non stick skillet. Stir constantly to make sure the milk doesn’t separate from the soup. You can also add a little more fresh milk. Once heated, and well combined, add the cheese and enjoy!
For more potato soup recipes, check out:
- Baked Potato Soup
- Parmesan Potato Soup
- Bacon Potato Corn Chowder
- Cheesy Potato Soup
- Chicken and Potato Florentine Soup
Ham and Potato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes peeled and diced
- 12 oz ham cooked and cubed
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt (with parsley flakes) (with parsley flakes)
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 5 TB butter
- 5 TB all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 c milk
- 1 c cheddar cheese
- scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Combine potatoes, ham, and broth in a large pot.
- Bring to a boil, then cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes (or when potatoes are tender).
- Add chicken bouillon cubes, salt and pepper. Mix.
- In another pan, melt butter on medium heat. Whisk in flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute. Slowly add milk and continue whisking until sauce thickens (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the milk mixture to your pot and cook soup until heated through.
- Add cheese right before serving. Top with scallions and extra cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
Video
Recipe adapted from All Recipes.
Well, then, I’m about to join you Luna’s for din din!! 😀 The soup looks fantastic!
Thanks, Katerina!!
My family is also a soup family! This is going into my rotation for sure!
Aren’t soups the best?! Thanks for stopping by!
We love soup too – especially when it looks like this! Comfort food at it’s best!
For sure!! 😀
Wow this soup looks so thick and creamy. Just how I like them. I need to start cooking some soups soon!
You mention bullion cubes in the directions but not in the ingredients. How many?
As the weather starts to cool down, I begin craving nothing by soups! Yes, that photo totally makes me hungry!
I’m right there with you! Still waiting for it to col down in Houston!
Ham, cheese, potatoes! I am all about this soup. No wonder it’s a hit at your house!
You really can’t go wrong with ham, cheese and potatoes. 😉
I love this soup recipe. It looks absolutely perfect.
Made this with the leftover Christmas ham and it was a HUGE HIT!! Made a huge batch and froze what was left, added corn to half of it for a little added treat 🙂 So simple and so yummy. Thank you!
Good, hearty soup. I used ham broth instead of chicken bouillon, dried onion flakes, threw in some tasty corn, garnished with fresh parsley. Good way to use leftover Christmas ham and broth! Made a big pot and will freeze leftovers.
I did the same thing with the ham broth. I added some red pepper and threw in a bay leaf.
So you do not drain off the water used to boil potato and ham, right?
No, potatoes will absorb most. Hope that helps!!
Thanks for the recipe! I added to it by sautéing onions and garlic with the cubed ham before adding potatoes and water. I also used about a cup of stock instead of bullion just because I didn’t have any on hand. Cooked a little longer than recommended for the consistency I wanted, but followed everything else you have here.
Yum!
Those sound perfect!! Thanks for sharing those changes! I’m so glad that you liked it 🙂
Look it very delicious! I like it! I will make it follow instrction in your post. Thanks your post!
– google mail
You are welcome!! Thank you! Let me know what you think 🙂
I asked the hubby which one he liked better and he couldn’t decide since they are both so good!
They are!! Thank you for letting me know!
Wow.
awsome soup, looks tasty
It is super tasty 🙂 I’d love for you to try it! Thank you!
made this soup tonight & my husband & i give it 5 ⭐️‼️
Woohoo!! Thank you so much!
Love,love your website, so happy I found you. Signed up for your emails. Making your Tomato soup Sat for a gathering at friends house.
Yay!! I am so glad!! Thank you so much & I hope you like what you try 🙂
Wow this soup looks so thick and creamy. Just how I like them. I need to start cooking some soups soon!
Oh, it is 🙂 I can’t wait for soup season!! Thank you!
I made this for my son and he absolutely loved the soup.
Yay!! I am glad he did! Thank you for letting me know!
This soup was so creamy. My kids who normally don’t like soup ate it right up.
Your site has quickly become one of my favorite places to find new, easy and most importantly yummy recipes.
This is MY kind of soup. Creamy and cheesy and easy to put together. Thanks for another simple recipe that tastes great!
This soup was fantastic!! I love the pieces of ham & potato chunks!! It was filling & my family loved it!!
i TRIED THIS soup tonight and loved it! Lots of flavor. Can’t wait for leftovers tomorrow!
I am so glad you liked it! Thank you so much for sharing that!
We love soups. Especially ones that take no effort. Soups are designed to trow in a crockpot and leave. Great for a cold winter night.
Very delicious soup! I added gouda. Have you frozen with success?
Great idea!! I have not tried freezing, but I would think it should be ok 🙂
Just want to say that yesterday i tried potato soup and it was actually amazing.
I am so glad you think so! Thank you for sharing that!
i never tries soups in general but this seems like a good one and a definite try at least once
It is!! I Hope you try it soon & like it!! Thank you 🙂
I am just in love with this soup…i often try it on week ends.
That makes me happy to hear! It’s a good one 🙂 Thank you!
Looks. Good
Thank you so much!!
I used ham broth instead of chicken bouillon, dried onion flakes, threw in some tasty corn, garnished with fresh parsley. Good way to use leftover Christmas ham and broth! Made a big pot and will freeze leftovers.
Sounds great!! Thank you for sharing that!
Could this be made in a crockpot?
I have not done this specific recipe in the crock pot, but you sure could. Here is also a link for a crock pot version, you can just add the ham…https://lilluna.com/cheesy-potato-soup/
Best recipe ever! This is delish! And super easy to make!! Thank you
You are so welcome!! Glad you liked it! It’s one of our favs!
Soups are a staple in the fall and winter for us. They are so simple to throw together. This soup is going to be one that will be made over and over. The kids LOVED it!
Any soup with chunks of potatoes is the best! The ham is a great option & adds delicious flavor!
My family loves the recipe! We had another cheesy ham and potatoe soup we used for years but have bow switched to this one. So quick and easy. We are a family of 6, we double the recipe and have a little left over.
This recipe is a keeper! Delicious, thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome!! So glad you enjoyed the soup!
Excellent soup.
Potato soup is a favorite our house, and my whole family LOVED the additions of ham and cheese in this one! So hearty, filling, and perfect for lunch or dinner on cold days!
This recipe is awesome! I have made it 2 times and it’s always delicious. This is better than any restaurant I’ve tried! Thank you so much.
Yum such a delicious recipe. I want to make this again the week it is soup weather around here!
Always a hit with my family!
The best recipe ever! Hubby and I each had two delicious bowls before we couldn’t eat any more due to filled bellies. We used leftover Easter Ham and used the ham bone broth instead of chicken.
Such a great way to use that leftover ham. Thanks for sharing and I’m so glad you enjoyed the soup!
I used the basic recipe with a few changes. 1tsp celery seed. Did not use any salt. As ham has salt in it. 4 Oz velveeta cheese. Used flour with my onions and ham and I put more flour in the milk to make the soup thicker. That is all the changes. I also chopped my carrots. My husband otherwise won’t eat them. Excellent soup.
It says add chicken bouillon cubes in the directions but I don’t see them in the ingredient list. How many? Thanks!
It was changed to 4 cups chicken broth
You can do it!! Let me know how it turns out! 🙂