This Creamy Slow Cooker Ham & Cheese Soup is a rich, comforting Crockpot dinner filled with tender chunks of ham, soft potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, cream cheese, and plenty of melted cheddar.
It is especially useful when you have leftover holiday ham, but you can make it any time of year with fully cooked ham from the grocery store.
Everything cooks slowly until the potatoes are tender and the broth develops plenty of savory flavor. Cream cheese, cheddar, and a touch of cream are added near the end so the finished soup stays smooth, thick, and creamy.
It’s a great recipe for busy family dinners, cold-weather meals, meal prep, leftover ham, potlucks, or an easy slow-cooker comfort meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy slow-cooker meal. Most of the work is simply adding ingredients to the Crockpot.
Perfect for leftover ham. Holiday ham gets transformed into an entirely different dinner.
Creamy and cheesy. Cream cheese and cheddar create a rich, smooth finish.
Budget-friendly. Potatoes and vegetables stretch a smaller amount of ham into several servings.
Family-friendly. Mild cheddar, potatoes, and ham create familiar comfort-food flavors.
Meal-prep friendly. Leftovers reheat well with a small splash of broth or milk.
Easy to customize. Add broccoli, corn, bacon, ranch seasoning, or extra cheese.
Ingredients
Ham & Vegetables
- 3 cups diced fully cooked ham
- 1½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Soup Base
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
Creamy Cheese Finish
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons butter
Optional Thickener
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Optional Garnishes
- Extra cheddar
- Green onions
- Chopped parsley
- Crumbled bacon
- Black pepper
Ingredient Notes
Best Ham to Use
This recipe works with:
- Leftover baked ham
- Spiral ham
- Ham steak
- Fully cooked diced ham
Avoid heavily sweet-glazed ham if you do not want noticeable sweetness in the soup.
Best Potatoes
Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal because they become creamy while still holding their shape.
Russet potatoes can also be used, but they break down more easily and naturally thicken the soup.
Cheddar Cheese
Sharp cheddar provides more flavor than mild cheddar.
For the smoothest sauce, shred cheese from a block rather than relying entirely on pre-shredded cheese.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese adds body and richness.
Softening it before adding helps it incorporate into the hot soup more smoothly.
Heavy Cream
Heavy cream gives the richest texture.
Half-and-half is a good alternative if you prefer a slightly lighter soup.
How to Make Creamy Slow Cooker Ham & Cheese Soup
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Dice the potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion into relatively even pieces.
This helps everything cook at roughly the same rate.
Step 2: Add Vegetables to the Slow Cooker
Place in the Crockpot:
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Garlic
Spread them evenly across the bottom.
Step 3: Add the Ham
Add the diced fully cooked ham.
Stir gently with the vegetables.
Step 4: Add Seasonings
Sprinkle in:
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
Add Worcestershire sauce if using.
Step 5: Add Chicken Broth
Pour in:
4 cups chicken broth.
Stir gently.
Step 6: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on:
LOW for 6–7 hours
or
HIGH for 3–4 hours
until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
Step 7: Make the Soup Creamier
For a thicker texture, mash some of the cooked potatoes directly in the slow cooker.
You only need to mash about:
1–2 cups.
Leave plenty of potato chunks intact.
Step 8: Add Cream Cheese
Cut the softened cream cheese into small pieces.
Add it during the final:
20–30 minutes.
Stir until mostly melted.
Step 9: Add Cream
Pour in the heavy cream or half-and-half.
Stir gently.
Step 10: Add Cheddar
Gradually add the shredded cheddar.
Stir between additions until melted.
Keep the slow cooker on LOW or WARM rather than allowing the dairy to boil aggressively.
Step 11: Add Butter
Stir in:
2 tablespoons butter.
This adds a little extra richness and gives the broth a smoother finish.
Step 12: Thicken if Needed
If you want a thicker soup, combine:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Stir until completely smooth.
Add the slurry gradually to the hot soup.
Cover and cook another:
10–15 minutes.
Step 13: Serve
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Ladle into bowls and top with:
- Cheddar
- Green onions
- Bacon
- Parsley
- Black pepper
Expert Tips for the Best Ham & Cheese Soup
Cut the potatoes evenly. Similar-size pieces cook more consistently.
Don’t add dairy at the beginning. Cream cheese, cream, and cheddar have a better texture when added toward the end.
Use freshly shredded cheddar. It generally melts more smoothly.
Mash some potatoes before using cornstarch. Potatoes can naturally thicken the soup.
Watch the salt. Ham, broth, and cheddar are already salty, so taste before adding extra.
Use softened cream cheese. It incorporates much more easily.
Keep the heat gentle after adding cheese. High heat can cause cheese sauces to become grainy.
Delicious Variations
Loaded Ham & Potato Soup
Top each bowl with:
- Bacon
- Extra cheddar
- Green onions
- Sour cream
This gives the soup a loaded baked potato flavor.
Broccoli Ham & Cheese Soup
Add 2–3 cups small broccoli florets during the final 30–45 minutes.
Ham & Corn Chowder
Add:
1½ cups corn
during the final hour.
The corn adds sweetness and turns the recipe into a hearty chowder-style soup.
Bacon Ham Cheddar Soup
Add cooked crumbled bacon along with the cheddar.
Reserve some for serving.
Ranch Ham & Cheese Soup
Add approximately:
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning.
Because ranch seasoning can be salty, reduce any additional salt.
Garlic Parmesan Ham Soup
Increase garlic to 5 cloves and stir in:
½ cup Parmesan
with the cheddar.
Spicy Ham Cheese Soup
Add:
- Jalapeños
- Cayenne
- Pepper Jack
- Red pepper flakes
Ham & White Bean Soup
Add one can of drained white beans for extra protein and texture.
Extra-Cheesy Ham Soup
Increase cheddar to:
2–2½ cups
and add Monterey Jack for an even creamier finish.
What to Serve With Creamy Ham & Cheese Soup
This rich soup pairs best with simple sides such as:
- Crusty bread
- Garlic bread
- Dinner rolls
- Cheddar biscuits
- Green salad
- Roasted broccoli
- Green beans
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
For an easy family dinner, warm bread and a fresh salad are usually enough.
Make Ahead & Meal Prep
The vegetables can be chopped ahead and refrigerated separately.
The ham can also be diced in advance.
For the smoothest meal-prep results, prepare the soup through the broth, vegetables, ham, and seasonings, then add the cream cheese, cream, and cheddar closer to serving.
Divide cooled leftovers into airtight meal-prep containers.
Keep toppings such as green onions and bacon separate.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store cooled leftovers in airtight containers.
The soup will become thicker after refrigeration because the potatoes continue absorbing liquid.
Freezer
Potatoes and dairy can change texture after freezing.
For the best freezer results, freeze the ham, vegetable, potato, and broth base before adding cream and cheese.
After thawing and reheating, stir in the dairy ingredients fresh.
Stovetop Reheating
Warm gently over medium-low heat.
Add a splash of:
- Chicken broth
- Milk
if the soup becomes too thick.
Microwave
Reheat in short intervals and stir between each one.
Avoid overheating the dairy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover holiday ham?
Yes. This is one of the easiest recipes for using leftover ham.
Can I use ham steak?
Yes. Dice fully cooked ham steak into bite-size pieces.
Can I add broccoli?
Absolutely. Add it near the end so it doesn’t become too soft.
Can I add corn?
Yes. Corn works particularly well with ham and potatoes.
Why is my soup too thin?
Mash some potatoes or add a small cornstarch slurry.
Why is my soup too thick?
Add extra chicken broth or milk until it reaches the consistency you prefer.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
Yes, although the soup will be less rich.
Can I use Velveeta-style cheese?
You can, but cheddar provides a more traditional cheese flavor. You can also combine the two.
Why did my cheese become grainy?
The soup may have been too hot when the cheese was added.
Can I freeze Ham & Cheese Soup?
Yes, but the best texture comes from freezing it before adding the cream and cheese.
Printable Creamy Slow Cooker Ham & Cheese Soup Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Slow Cook Time: 6–7 hours on LOW
Servings: 6–8
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced fully cooked ham
- 1½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Add potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Add diced ham.
- Sprinkle in thyme, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
- Pour in chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Mash some potatoes for a thicker soup if desired.
- Add softened cream cheese during the final 20–30 minutes.
- Stir until smooth.
- Add heavy cream.
- Gradually stir in cheddar.
- Add butter.
- Adjust thickness with additional broth or a cornstarch slurry if necessary.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve with cheese, green onions, bacon, or parsley.
Final Thoughts
Creamy Slow Cooker Ham & Cheese Soup is a simple way to turn ham, potatoes, vegetables, and cheese into a rich Crockpot dinner with very little hands-on work.
Tender potatoes and vegetables create the hearty base, while ham adds smoky savory flavor and cream cheese, cheddar, and cream give the broth its smooth, comforting finish.
It is especially useful after holidays when you have leftover ham, but it works just as well as an everyday family dinner, meal-prep recipe, or cold-weather slow-cooker meal.
For the best results, use evenly diced potatoes, avoid adding dairy too early, mash a few potatoes for natural thickness, soften the cream cheese first, use freshly shredded cheddar, and keep the heat gentle once the cheese is added.