Heartwarming Pioneer Woman Ham & Potato Soup Recipe for Winter

Pioneer Woman’s ham and potato soup transforms ordinary ingredients into a symphony of comfort and warmth.

Hearty chunks of succulent ham dance with velvety potatoes in this soul-nourishing recipe.

Rustic flavors burst through each spoonful, creating a culinary embrace that whispers of home and tradition.

Robust vegetables add layers of texture and depth to this classic dish.

Simple yet elegant, the soup captures the essence of nostalgic home cooking with remarkable precision.

Creamy and satisfying, it promises to chase away winter’s chill and fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

Grab your ladle and get ready to savor a bowl of pure, homemade happiness.

Ingredients Used in Pioneer Woman Ham And Potato Soup

• Potatoes: Choose firm, starchy varieties like Russet for a creamy texture and better soup consistency.
• Carrots: Select bright orange, firm carrots with smooth skin for maximum sweetness and nutrition.
• Celery: Pick crisp stalks with vibrant green color and no wilting for fresh, clean flavor.
• Onion: Look for firm, heavy onions without soft spots to ensure robust taste and aroma.

• Diced Ham: Opt for pre-cooked, lean ham for convenient, smoky flavor and added protein.
• Chicken Broth: Select low-sodium versions to control salt content and enhance natural soup flavors.

• Butter: Use unsalted butter for precise seasoning control and richer taste.
• All-Purpose Flour: Ensure fresh flour without clumps for smooth roux development.
• Milk: Whole milk provides the richest, most luxurious creamy texture.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Choose sharp cheddar for intense, tangy cheese flavor.

• Chicken Bouillon Granules: Optional flavor enhancer for deeper savory notes.
• Salt: Use sparingly, allowing other ingredients to shine.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground offers more vibrant, aromatic taste.

Tools to Cook Ham And Potato Soup Comfortably

• Large Stockpot: Perfect for boiling and simmering the soup base with all ingredients.
• Saucepan: Essential for creating the smooth, golden roux and creamy cheese sauce.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions with ease.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise dicing and chopping of vegetables.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring soup and gently mashing potatoes.
• Whisk: Crucial for creating lump-free roux and smoothly blending cheese sauce.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure milk and other liquid ingredients.
• Ladle: Helps serve the hot, creamy soup into bowls with precision.
• Cheese Grater: Perfect for shredding fresh cheddar cheese for maximum flavor.

Cooking Guide for Ham And Potato Soup

• Prep Hearty Base

Chop potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions into a large stockpot. Add diced ham and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until vegetables soften, creating a rich foundation for your soup.

• Season With Love

Sprinkle in chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust flavors, ensuring each spoonful sings with deliciousness. The secret is balancing seasonings to wake up your taste buds.

• Craft Creamy Roux

Melt butter in a separate pan, whisk in flour until golden and fragrant. This magical mixture will transform your soup from simple to spectacular, developing a nutty, complex flavor.

• Build Silky Sauce

Slowly pour milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Let the sauce thicken and become luxuriously smooth, creating a velvety backdrop for your soup’s robust ingredients.

• Introduce Cheese Magic

Fold shredded cheddar into the sauce, stirring until it melts completely. Watch as the cheese creates a luscious, golden blanket that elevates the entire dish.

• Marry Flavors Together

Pour cheesy sauce into the vegetable pot. Gently crush some potatoes with a spoon to add extra creaminess. Stir thoroughly, allowing every ingredient to mingle and dance together.

• Serve With Joy

Warm the soup until steaming, then ladle into bowls. Garnish with green onions or extra cheese if desired. Enjoy this comforting creation that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day.

Variations and Tips for Ham And Potato Soup

Experiment with different cheese varieties like gouda, monterey jack, or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles and add exciting depth to your soup.

Toss in cooked bacon bits, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crispy pancetta for an extra protein punch that elevates the soup’s heartiness.

Swap or add vegetables like sweet potatoes, parsnips, or butternut squash to introduce new textures and nutritional variety to your classic ham and potato soup.

Replace all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to ensure everyone can enjoy this comforting soup without compromising on taste or texture.

Serving Bowl Suggestions for Ham And Potato Soup

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice and toast a rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the creamy soup, adding delightful texture and extra warmth.
• Top with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped chives, parsley, or green onions over each bowl for a burst of fresh flavor and vibrant color.
• Create a Side Salad: Prepare a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness of the cheesy ham and potato soup, providing a refreshing contrast.
• Elevate with Crispy Toppings: Crumble bacon bits, add crunchy croutons, or sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs on top to introduce an exciting crisp element to the creamy soup.

How to Store Leftovers of Ham And Potato Soup

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store leftover ham and potato soup in airtight containers, keeping them refrigerated for 3-4 days to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Quick Freeze Strategy: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion, and freeze up to 2-3 months for convenient future meals.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then gently warm on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and restore creamy consistency.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare soup ingredients in advance, chopping vegetables and dicing ham the night before, to streamline cooking process and reduce day-of preparation time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 5

Hearty Pioneer Woman Ham And Potato Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty pioneer woman ham and potato soup brings comfort on chilly days. Creamy broth, tender potatoes, and smoky ham create a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delicious spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 ½ cups (840 ml) potatoes, peeled and diced (about 2 lbs)
• 1–2 cups (240–480 ml) cooked ham, diced
• 2 cups (480 ml) cheddar cheese, shredded
• 3 ¼ cups (770 ml) chicken broth (or ham stock)
• 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (240 ml) carrot, chopped
• 5 tbsps butter
• 5 tbsps all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) celery, diced
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsps chicken bouillon granules (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine diced potatoes, sliced carrots, chopped celery, minced onion, and cubed ham in a large stockpot. Pour chicken broth over the ingredients and bring to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce to medium, simmering until potatoes become fork-tender (10-15 minutes).
2. Seasoning: Integrate chicken bouillon granules, salt, and black pepper to elevate the flavor profile. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed for optimal depth.
3. Roux Creation: In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat. Dust flour across the melted butter, whisking consistently for 2 minutes until the mixture transforms into a golden, fragrant base with a nutty essence.
4. Milk Integration: Slowly pour whole milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Increase heat to medium-high, stirring until the mixture thickens and develops a smooth, creamy texture (approximately 5 minutes).
5. Cheese Incorporation: Reduce heat to low, gradually adding shredded cheddar cheese. Stir meticulously until the cheese melts completely, creating a luxurious, silky consistency.
6. Final Fusion: Pour the cheese mixture into the stockpot with vegetable and ham base. Gently break some potato chunks with a wooden spoon to enhance texture. Stir thoroughly, ensuring even distribution of ingredients and heating throughout.
7. Serving: Remove from heat and ladle the rich, creamy soup into serving bowls. Garnish as desired and enjoy the comforting, hearty meal.

Notes

• Potato Perfection: Cut potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Roux Mastery: Whisk butter and flour continuously to prevent burning and develop a rich, golden base that enhances the soup’s depth of flavor.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pot from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency without graininess.
• Ham Selection Tip: Use leftover ham or high-quality deli ham with a smoky flavor to elevate the soup’s overall taste profile and add rich, savory notes.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 70mg