Ham and Potato Cream Soup with Cheddar (Slow-Cooker)

slowcookerhampotatocreamsoupcheddar In the world of comfort food, nothing beats a warm and hearty bowl of Ham and Potato Soup in the slow-cooker. When it comes to comfort and convenience, the slow cooker is the ultimate kitchen tool. If you’re looking for a delicious and satisfying soup recipe that will please the whole family, look no further than this tasty cheesy ham and potato soup. Made with hearty pieces of ham, diced potatoes, healthy veggies and a creamy base, this soup is perfect for cool nights and lazy weekends.

4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
3 cups ham, diced
4 stalks celery, diced
3 large carrots, diced
1 onion, diced
1 Tbsp. garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. chicken bouillon
¼ tsp. ground smoked paprika
1 bay leaf
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup butter
½ cup cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

To Serve:
sliced green onions
parsley

Add the potatoes, ham, celery, carrots, onion, garlic, chicken bouillon, ground paprika and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir in the broth, milk and heavy cream. Add pats of butter to the top. Set on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours.

When the potatoes are tender, the soup is ready to serve.

Sprinkle with cheese and let sit with the lid on for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Serve with a sprinkle of onions and parsley.

Makes 6 servings.

Cook's Notes:

Use freshly shredded cheese for best results. Pre-shredded bagged cheese is coated and doesn’t melt very well.
You can omit the butter if you wish. It just adds more flavour and deliciousness to the soup.
This is a great way to use your leftover holiday ham. But, if you don’t have any, you can grab a bag of chopped ham.
Storage: Allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.