Step 1: Mix the main ingredients together.
Put the chopped ham, chicken broth, potatoes, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, salt, and pepper in your slow cooker. Mix everything well to combine all the flavors. Put your slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Cooking everything together slowly lets the flavors blend and become more delicious.
Next, put in some milk and cheese.
Around 30 minutes before finishing cooking, mix in the milk and grated cheddar cheese. Let it cook until the cheese is completely melted and the soup is hot. This step is important to get a smooth, cheesy texture.
Step 3: Serve and enjoy!
Once the cheese is melted and the soup is hot, pour it into bowls and serve right away. To add a special touch, decorate with extra cheese, some fresh chives, or a bit of black pepper.
Useful advice for cooking without any problems.
Tip #1: Use Pre-Cut Ingredients – To save time, you can purchase pre-cut ham and pre-chopped vegetables.
Tip #2: Pick starchy potatoes such as Russet or Yukon Gold. These types of potatoes will make the soup creamier and hold it together better.
Tip #3: Take Your Time Cooking – Cooking slowly helps flavors mix together, so try not to open the lid too often because it can make the cooking process less effective.
Tip #4: Try the soup to check the saltiness. Ham can have different levels of salt, so add salt according to your taste after the soup is done cooking.
Tip #5: Make your soup creamier by blending a part of it and mixing it back in for a smooth texture.
Tip #6: Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and tastes better in the soup.
Tip #7: Decorating Ideas – You can decorate with a bit of sour cream, crunchy bacon pieces, or freshly ground black pepper to give it a special touch.
Tip number 8: To make cleaning up easier, use a liner in your slow cooker.
Tip #9: Making More Food - This recipe works well if you need to cook for a lot of people or if you want to have extra food for later.
Tip #10: Save Dairy for the End – Put milk and cheese last to prevent it from curdling while cooking.
Tip #11: Change the Cheese - You can try using different cheeses, such as Gouda or mozzarella, to create a new taste.
Tip #12: Use herbs like thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves to add more flavor to your dishes.
Tip #13: To make a thicker soup, put a spoonful of flour in the milk before adding it to the soup.
Tip #14: Keep an eye on the Potatoes – Slice the potatoes in the same size for them to cook evenly.
Tip #15: Prevent Cheese Clumping – Sprinkle some cornstarch on the cheese to make it melt smoothly.
Tip #16: Use Paprika for Flavor - Adding a bit of paprika or chili powder can make your dish warmer.
Tip #17: Cook Garlic in a Pan for Better Taste – Cooking garlic quickly in a pan before putting it in the slow cooker makes it taste better.
Tip #18: Don't cook cheese for too long. It can become grainy, so put it in towards the end of cooking.
Tip #19: Warm Up Leftovers Carefully – When heating up leftovers, gently warm the soup on the stove using low heat to maintain the cheese's smooth texture.
Tip #20: Keep leftovers fresh by storing them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days.
Tips for storing and warming up food.
To save leftover soup, let it cool down and then put it in containers that close tightly. It can be kept in the fridge for 3 days.
You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months. Simply omit the cheese and milk for now, and include them when you reheat the dish.
To warm up again, heat gently on the stove on low heat or in the microwave, stirring often to keep the cheese from separating.