Easy Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup {30 Minute Recipe}

This super Easy Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup warms you up on a chilly day. The potatoes simmer right in chicken stock soaking up all the delicious flavor. Heavy cream, sour cream, plenty of Colby Jack cheese and smoky ham make this soup rich and hearty.

Why you'll love this recipe

During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I'm always looking for easy and quick to make lunch and dinner recipes. This Beef and Butternut Squash Chili, Triple Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells and Reuben Casserole are favorite make ahead recipes.

I'd rather mix and mingle with family and friends than spend long hours in the kitchen. But I don't want to skimp on lots of delicious flavors. That's when I make a big pot of this creamy and Easy Ham and Potato Soup.

You'll love having a batch of this velvety stick-to-your-ribs soup in the refrigerator for easy lunches and dinners.

Ingredient & substitutions

Here are the ingredients you need to make this soup recipe. I've included some substitutions too. Scroll to the recipe card for full quantities of all the ingredients.

• Yukon gold potatoes ~ Substitutes for the yellow flashed and buttery flavored potatoes include russet potatoes or new potatoes.
• reduced sodium chicken stock ~ Regular chicken stock can also be used. Just be sure to cut back on the amount of kosher salt. Vegetable stock is also an option.
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Kosher salt ~ The larger grain salt enhances the flavor of food without making it overly salty.
• Fresh ground black pepper ~ It's more flavorful than already ground pepper.
• Sour cream ~ Plain yogurt can be used as a substitute.
• Heavy cream
• Colby Jack cheese ~ This combo of colby and Monterey Jack cheeses melts beautifully resulting in a silky soup. Other cheeses to try include cheddar, Monterey Jack, Fontina and Gruyere.
• Smoked ham ~ I use the packaged thick cut ham slice. Or have the the deli counter slice 1-2 (1-inch thick) slices of your favorite ham. Leftover holiday ham is also delicious in this potato soup recipe.
• Scallions ~ Chives are an alternative.

Recipe instructions

Gather the simple ingredients and everyday kitchen tools to make this cheesy ham and potato soup. This is a brief overview of the flavorful soup recipe. Scroll to the recipe card for the complete instructions.

This soup is EASY to toss together. With just a few steps, this simple potato soup recipe is ready in about 30 minutes.

Cook the peeled and cubed potatoes in reduced sodium chicken stock until tender. Mash the potatoes.

Stir in the garlic and onion powders, kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.

Add the sour cream, heavy cream, shredded cheese and diced ham. Stir to combine.

Serve in deep bowls. Top with more sour cream, shredded cheese, ham and thinly sliced scallions.

Hint: Sour cream can curdle when added to hot soup. Allow it to come to room temperature before stirring it into the soup to avoid this unpleasant appearance.

Storage and heating

Follow these tips for storing the soup in the refrigerator or freezer.

• Refrigerator ~ Completely cool the soup and store in an airtight container (I use these meal prep containers) in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, microwave on 60 percent power for 1-2 minutes. Continue heating at 30 second intervals until heated through. Alternately heat in sauce pan over medium low heat stirring occasionally.
• Freezer ~ Completely cool the soup and store in an airtight container (I use these meal prep containers) or in gallon size resealable freezer bags in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge. To reheat, microwave on 60 percent power for 1-2 minutes. Continue heating at 30 second intervals until heated through. Alternately heat in sauce pan over medium low heat stirring occasionally.

Expert tips

• To control the amount of salt in the soup, use reduced sodium chicken stock. You can always add more salt, but it's difficult to remove a salty taste from soup.
• Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the cooked potatoes. The soup will continue to thicken as it cools.

What to serve with this dish

This cheesy ham and potato soup is so hearty that it eats like a meal. Simple sides are tasty with the hearty soup.

A mixed green salad with red wine vinaigrette and a loaf of bread are perfect accompaniments. Another tasty side is sliced tomatoes, cucumber, onion and fresh basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette.

Finish the meal with something for your sweet tooth. My faves are these delicate shortbread cookies or chocolatey Texas sheet cake.

Frequently asked questions

To prevent the soup from being gluey, use Yukon Gold or russet potatoes when making potato soup. Skip waxy potatoes like Red Bliss or fingerling. They have a low starch content and often become sticky and gluey when mashed.

Yes. Add shredded cheese in handfuls to the hot soup and stir after each addition. As the cheese melts it will thicken the soup.

Soups can thicken after they are refrigerated. If your soup is too thick, stir in some chicken or vegetable stock while it is reheating.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

• Hearty Split Pea Soup with Ham and Potatoes
• Vegetarian Broccoli Cheddar Soup {30 Minute Recipe}
• Manhattan Clam Chowder Recipe {Grandma's Favorite}
• Hamburger and Potato Soup {Hearty}

Get all my soup recipes here.