Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup Recipe

Recipe posted in: Flex Meals & Snacks, Lunches & Dinners, Main Courses
Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup

As the winter chill begins to bite, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm, hearty soup to thaw your bones and nourish your soul. That’s why we’ve crafted this deliciously wholesome Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup recipe for you. Perfect for those frosty evenings, this soup is not only a delight for your taste buds but also a boon for your health.

Packed with nutrient-rich potatoes, lean ham and an array of vibrant vegetables, this soup is a testament to the fact that healthy eating does not mean compromising on flavor. The slow cooker does all the work, infusing every spoonful with a depth of flavor that will make your palate dance. Moreover, it’s a great way to use up leftover ham from your holiday dinners!

So, get ready to wrap your hands around a steaming bowl of this hearty soup. It’s time to embrace the winter season with good health, warmth and a touch of culinary magic from your slow cooker. Keep reading as we dive into the step-by-step process of creating this winter wonder below!

How to Make Ham and Potato Soup

Introducing the Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup recipe, a delightful blend of hearty flavors that not only warms you up but also keeps your health in check. This recipe serves eight, and each serving is only 207 calories. If you’re following the Nutrisystem plan, count each serving as one SmartCarb and one PowerFuel.

The Ingredients

The ingredients you’ll need are simple and nutritious. Start with one tablespoon of olive oil, three cloves of garlic and one leek. For the soup’s base, you’ll need three Russet potatoes (peeled and chopped into one-inch cubes), two sliced carrots and two sliced stalks of celery. Add in one pound of cooked ham for that comforting, smoky flavor.

Seasoning comes in the form of one teaspoon of fresh rosemary and half of a teaspoon of black pepper. You’ll also need four cups of low-sodium vegetable broth to create the soup’s flavorful base, and one and a half cups of nonfat milk to add a creamy texture.

The Cooking Process

The process for making this soup is straightforward and convenient. Begin by heating a skillet to medium heat and adding the olive oil. Once hot, toss in the garlic and leeks and cook for a few minutes. Transfer the cooked garlic and leeks to a slow cooker and add the potatoes, carrots, celery, ham, rosemary, black pepper and vegetable broth.

Secure the lid on the slow cooker and set it to LOW for a long, slow cook of six to eight hours. If you’re short on time, setting it on HIGH for three to four hours works just as well. After the cooking time, stir in the milk and let it cook for another 30 to 60 minutes.

How do You Thicken Ham and Potato Soup?

For a thicker consistency, scoop about one cup of potatoes along with some broth into a food processor. Blend until smooth, then stir this mixture back into the soup. This step gives you a soup with a richer, creamier texture.

And there you have it! A healthy, hearty Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup that’s perfect for the winter season. Enjoy it hot, right out of the slow cooker, for a comforting meal that’s sure to keep the cold at bay.

Customizing Your Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup

One of the great things about this Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup is its versatility. You can easily customize it to suit your palate or dietary needs. Here are a few suggestions that can inspire you:

  • Choose Your Protein – While this recipe uses ham, you could easily substitute it with other proteins like chicken, turkey or even tofu for a vegetarian version.
  • Vary the Vegetables – Feel free to get creative with the vegetables you add to this soup. You could include other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips, or even add some leafy greens like spinach or kale towards the end of the cooking time for an added nutrient boost.
  • Adjust the Herbs – If rosemary isn’t your favorite, switch it up with herbs like thyme, sage or basil. Each herb will give the soup a unique flavor profile, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
  • Dairy-Free Version – If you’re lactose intolerant or following a dairy-free diet, you can substitute the nonfat milk with a dairy-free alternative like almond or coconut milk. Just remember, coconut milk will add a distinct flavor to the soup.
  • Make it Creamier – For a creamier soup, you could add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end. Alternatively, blend more of the soup until you reach your desired consistency.

The best part about cooking is making a recipe your own, so feel free to play around with these customizations and create a Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup that’s perfect for you! Refer to the Nutrisystem Grocery Guide if you have any questions about counting various ingredients on your plan.

Servings: 8

Calories per Serving: 207

On Nutrisystem, Count As: 1 SmartCarb and 1 PowerFuel

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 leek, sliced
  • 3 Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 1 lb. cooked ham, chopped
  • 1 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • 4 cups vegetable broth low sodium
  • 1 ½ cups nonfat milk

Directions:

  1. Heat a skillet to medium heat and add olive oil. Once hot, add the garlic and leeks. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
  2. Place the cooked garlic and leeks into a slow cooker with the potatoes, carrots, celery, ham, rosemary, black pepper and vegetable broth.
  3. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  4. Once finished, stir in the milk and cook for another 30-60 minutes.
  5. To thicken, scoop about 1 cup of potatoes with some broth into a food processor. Blend until smooth, then stir back into the soup.
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