The Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Ham Soup is your go-to recipe when you’re craving warmth and comfort in a bowl. It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tender potatoes and savory ham – all cooked to perfection in the crockpot while you go about your day. Whether you’re prepping dinner for a busy weeknight or looking to impress guests with minimal effort, this soup delivers bold, homestyle flavors with every spoonful. It’s a rich, satisfying meal perfect for chilly evenings, and it pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a light salad for a balanced bite.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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6 cups diced potatoes (peeled)
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1½ cups cooked ham, diced
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1 cup chopped onion
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1 cup shredded carrots
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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4 cups chicken broth
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1½ teaspoons salt
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1 teaspoon black pepper
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¾ teaspoon dried thyme
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1 cup heavy cream
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2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
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2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
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Chopped green onions and extra cheese for garnish (optional)
Directions:
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In a slow cooker, combine diced potatoes, ham, onion, carrots, garlic, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and thyme.
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Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until potatoes are tender.
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Mash some of the potatoes directly in the crockpot using a potato masher for a creamier texture.
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Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until cheese is melted and soup is creamy.
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If you prefer a thicker soup, stir together cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Add to the soup and cook on HIGH for an additional 15-20 minutes until thickened.
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Serve hot, garnished with green onions and extra cheese if desired.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 7 hours (LOW) or 4 hours (HIGH) | Total Time: 7 hrs 15 mins
Kcal: 365 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Ham Soup: The Ultimate Comfort in a Bowl
As the seasons shift and colder weather sets in, nothing soothes the soul quite like a warm, hearty bowl of soup. Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Ham Soup is more than just another comfort dish it’s the epitome of homestyle cooking, combining simple ingredients with deep, satisfying flavors. This soup brings together tender potatoes, savory ham, creamy broth, and melty cheddar cheese for a bowl that delivers on all fronts: flavor, texture, and warmth.
What makes this dish particularly appealing is its ease of preparation and the comforting familiarity of its ingredients. It’s the kind of meal that tastes like a hug in a bowl perfect for family dinners, weekend gatherings, or a make-ahead meal to simplify your weeknight cooking routine.
Why This Soup Stands Out
The appeal of this recipe is rooted in its nostalgic ingredients and minimal-effort cooking method. Using a slow cooker, you allow the flavors to meld beautifully over hours of gentle simmering. The result is a soup that tastes like it simmered all day because it actually did without requiring constant supervision.
The creamy base, enriched by melted cheddar and thickened with just the right amount of starch, creates a luxurious texture that balances perfectly with the heartiness of the potatoes and the saltiness of the ham. The slow cooking process allows the potatoes to soften and slightly break down, helping to naturally thicken the broth while enhancing the soup’s overall richness.
The Power of Slow Cooking
One of the standout aspects of this dish is how well it leverages the slow cooker, an appliance that continues to be a kitchen staple for busy families and home cooks alike. The beauty of a slow cooker lies in its ability to tenderize and deepen flavors without any fuss.
You simply add the ingredients to the pot in the morning, set the temperature, and walk away. By dinnertime, the soup is ready fragrant, hot, and fully developed in flavor. It’s an ideal solution for those who want home-cooked meals without having to stand over the stove.
Another advantage? Minimal cleanup. Most slow cookers are easy to clean and often dishwasher-safe, making them perfect for busy households.
A Versatile Recipe for Any Occasion
Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Ham Soup is incredibly versatile. It works as a:
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Main dish for a simple dinner
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Appetizer for a multi-course meal
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Lunch prep option when stored in portions
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Potluck favorite that travels and reheats well
Additionally, it’s easy to customize. You can bulk it up with vegetables like corn, celery, or peas. Want more protein? Add leftover rotisserie chicken or swap ham for bacon. Prefer a smokier flavor? Use smoked gouda instead of cheddar.
You can even adjust the consistency to your liking. For a thicker chowder-like experience, mash some of the potatoes or add a cornstarch slurry. If you prefer a thinner, brothy texture, reduce the cheese or add more broth or milk.
A Family-Friendly Favorite
This recipe appeals to all ages, making it an ideal choice for families with kids. The mild flavors of cheese and potatoes are usually a hit even with picky eaters, and the ham adds just enough savory richness to elevate the dish.
It’s also a wonderful way to use up leftovers. Got leftover holiday ham or mashed potatoes? They can be easily incorporated into this soup, reducing food waste while creating a new and exciting meal.
If you’re serving a crowd or want leftovers for the week, it’s easy to double the recipe most slow cookers can handle a larger batch. The soup stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months with minimal loss of quality.
Nutritional Insights
Although this soup leans into indulgent comfort, you can easily modify it to suit your dietary preferences. Use reduced-fat cheese, swap heavy cream for milk or evaporated milk, and add extra veggies for fiber and nutrients.
Ham is a great source of protein and essential minerals like zinc and iron, but it can be high in sodium. If you’re watching your salt intake, choose a low-sodium broth and go light on added salt during cooking. You can also substitute the ham with shredded chicken or turkey for a lower-sodium, leaner alternative.
If you’re following a gluten-free diet, make sure your broth and thickening agents are certified gluten-free. And if you’re dairy-free, there are some great alternatives like oat milk or coconut cream, plus plant-based cheeses that still yield a creamy result.
Tips for the Perfect Bowl
Here are some expert tips to make your Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Ham Soup shine:
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Use Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes – they break down nicely in the soup and help create a creamy base.
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Grate your own cheese – pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting.
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Stir in cheese slowly – do this at the end on low heat to avoid curdling or graininess.
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Mash some potatoes in the pot – for a thicker, chowder-like texture without needing flour or heavy cream.
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Garnish wisely – chopped green onions, a sprinkle of extra cheese, or a dollop of sour cream can elevate presentation and flavor.
Make It Your Own: Popular Variations
Looking to switch things up? Here are some tasty variations:
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Bacon & Leek Twist – Replace ham with crisp bacon and add sautéed leeks.
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Broccoli-Cheddar Fusion – Add broccoli florets in the last hour of cooking for a veggie boost.
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Spicy Kick – Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
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Vegetarian Option – Replace ham with sautéed mushrooms and use vegetable broth.
Each of these adaptations maintains the creamy, comforting base while letting you experiment with flavor profiles that suit your mood or what’s in your pantry.
Conclusion:
In a world where time is short and good food is more important than ever, Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Ham Soup is a shining example of how simple ingredients, when treated with care, can become something truly special. It’s the kind of dish that encourages gathering around the table, warming not just your body but your spirit as well.
This soup isn’t just a recipe it’s a moment of calm in a busy day, a reminder of home-cooked meals from childhood, or the centerpiece of a cozy dinner shared with loved ones. Whether you stick with the classic version or put your own spin on it, this is one soup that’s sure to become a treasured favorite in your kitchen.