The cool air this time of year sure puts us in the mood for soup and one of our family’s favorite fall traditions is “Soup Sunday”. We try to make soup each Sunday and enjoy our day at home together. One of our favorite soups is Cheesy Potato Soup with ham and bacon. You can load this cheesy potato soup recipe up with lots of other things too! This creamy soup is pretty easy to make, delicious, and so filling!
Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe With Ham And Bacon
Simple Ingredients:
- 1 package of bacon
- 1 1/2 cups diced ham
- 2 1/2 pounds Idaho potatoes (russet potatoes are best for this loaded potato soup style but you can use yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes)
- 1/2 red onion diced
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour (we use gluten free)
- 2 cups whole milk
How To Make Cheesy Potato Soup:
Begin by cutting your bacon into small pieces and cooking over medium high heat until just crispy and thoroughly cooked. Add the diced ham to the bacon pieces and heat through. Remove the bacon and ham from the pan and set aside. Discard all but a small amount of the bacon grease (keep about 1 tablespoon in the large saucepan).
While the bacon is cooking dice your potatoes into bite sized pieces. After the bacon and ham have been removed from the pan, begin cooking the potatoes in the same pan with the reserved grease (you can use olive oil if you prefer). Cook the potatoes until they are not quite tender. Use a slotted spoon to remove potatoes and set aside.
Saute the onions in the same pan that the bacon and potatoes were cooked in. Combine the bacon, ham, potatoes, and onion in a large stock pot or dutch oven.
Pour the chicken stock over the potato mixture and turn on to simmer.
In another soup pot melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the flour and stir until smooth to begin creating a roux. This makes the base for the cheese sauce of the soup.
After the flour has been stirred in completely add the milk, cream cheese, and sharp cheddar.
Cook the cheese and milk mixture over low heat, stirring regularly until cheese has melted completely and the mixture is smooth.
Add the cheese sauce to the potato and broth mixture and stir well. Keep on low heat until ready to serve.
You can add a sprinkle of shredded cheese to the top or simply serve with a piece of homemade bread. Use salt and black pepper to taste.
I hope you enjoy this Easy Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe as much as my family does. It is so rich and filling- perfect for the cold weather.
Potato Hack: Chop your potatoes in smaller pieces for shorter cooking time.
I get asked a lot if it ok to freeze the leftovers.
Can you freeze potato soup?
You can freeze potato soup but I wouldn’t recommend it because the potato chucks end up rather mushy and it will separate out a bit. If that doesn’t bother you and you are going to freeze it anyway, be sure to wait for the soup to cool before you put the lid on and stick it in the freezer. Also, since liquids expand as they freeze, be sure to leave an 1/2 inch to an 1 inch worth of space under the lid.
Printable Cheesy Ham And Potato Soup Recipe Card:
Easy Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 package of bacon
- 1 1/2 cups diced ham
- 2 1/2 pounds Idaho potatoes, diced (red hold up nicely without getting mushy)
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour (we use gluten free)
- 2 cups milk
Instructions
- Begin by cutting your bacon into small pieces and cooking over medium heat until thoroughly cooked. Add the diced ham to the bacon pieces and heat through. Remove the bacon and ham from the pan and set aside.
- While the bacon is cooking dice your potatoes into bite sized pieces. After the bacon and ham have been removed from the pan begin cooking the potatoes in the same pan, removing all but a small amount of the bacon grease to cook the potatoes in. Cook the potatoes until they are not quite tender, about 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Saute the onions in the same pan that the bacon and potatoes were cooked in. Combine the bacon, ham, potatoes, and onion in a large stock pot.
- Pour the chicken broth over the potato mixture and turn on to simmer.
- In another pot melt the butter. Once the butter is melted at the flour and stir until smooth to begin creating the cheese sauce for the soup.
- After the flour has been stirred in completely add the milk, cream cheese, and sharp cheddar.
- Cook the cheese and milk mixture over low heat, stirring regularly until cheese has melted completely and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the cheese sauce to the potato and broth mixture and stir well. Keep on low heat until ready to serve.
- You can add a sprinkle of shredded cheese to the top for garnish when you serve.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe
Serves: 6
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 1141.15 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 83.4 g | 127.7% | |
| Saturated Fat 39.21 g | 195% | |
| Trans Fat 1.22 g | ||
| Cholesterol 227.16 mg | 75.7% | |
| Sodium 1892.17 mg | 78.8% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 49.28 g | 16.3% | |
| Dietary Fiber 4.41 g | 16% | |
| Sugars 9.78 g | ||
| Protein 48.41 g | ||
| Vitamin A 48.03 % | Vitamin C 42.45 % | |
| Calcium 67.71 % | Iron 15.55 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Family Focus Blog
This creamy potato soup is one of my favorite soups. It is the ultimate comfort food. What are your family’s favorite fall soup recipes?
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