Broccoli Cheese Soup with Ham

Our family loves soup in the fall.  My husband likes all soups to have the consistency of stew and this recipe reflects just that.  It has lots and lots of vegetables and meat!

Chop up some veggies.  I love to add as many veggies as I can get away with into all of my dishes!  Dice a medium onion and two medium carrots.

Throw them into a stock pot with 6 tablespoons of butter and led them cook down on medium heat.  The onions should be transluscent and the carrots tender. 

Add 1/3 cup flour and cook for a minute or two. Make sure to keep that spoon moving!  Add 2 cups of milk and 1 can of chicken broth all at once.  Whisk out any lumps.  Continue to cook on medium high heat until the soup thickens.

Add tons and tons of broccoli; 3-4 cups.  I use fresh broccoli crowns and chop them up fine.  Cook the soup until the broccoli is tender.

Dice up some ham, any type of ham that your family likes.  You can even buy the pre-diced ham to save a little time.  8oz will do the trick.

Add in some cheese.  Today I used american cheese slices; eight of them.  I also like to use Velveeta cheese but I didn't have any on hand.  You can use what ever type of cheese your family likes.  If you go for cheddar or something similar, make sure that the soup does not boil after you add it because it will make the soup stringy and wierd.  Season your creation with salt and pepper.  I wait until the end for this because the salt in the ham and cheese can vary by type.

Serve it in a bowl.  Garnish it with some cheese, bacon, sour cream or our family favorite, Goldfish!

Broccoli Cheese Soup with Ham

1 medium onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
6 Tbsp butter
1/3 cup flour
2 cups milk
1 can chicken broth, about 2 cups
3-4 cups broccoli crowns, chopped
8 oz ham, diced
8 slices american cheese
salt and pepper

Combine onion, carrot and butter in a stock pot on medium high heat.  Cook until the onions are translucent and the carrots are tender.  Add flour and cook until lightly brown and nutty, stirring constantly.  Add milk and broth all at once. Whisk out any lumps.  Cook until bubbly and thickened.  Add broccoli and continue to cook until it's tender.  Add ham and stir in cheese.  Add salt and pepper to taste.



Printable Recipe Here