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Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup with Ham and Potatoes


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  • Author: Lisa
  • Total Time: 55 minutes

Description

This soup is so comforting and flavorful.  It was based on my instant pot loaded potato soup, but with a few tweaks.  The evaporated milk is the key ingredient, so if you substitute it out for regular milk, you will be disappointed.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 oz package of frozen broccoli, chopped
  • 56 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
  • 5 cups shredded colby jack cheese
  • 1 pound diced ham

Instructions

  1. Turn on the sauté function on your instant pot.  Add olive oil and onions.  Cook for 5 to 6 minutes.  Add granulated garlic, salt and pepper and cook another minute.
  2. Add broccoli, potatoes, ground thyme, bay leaves and chicken broth.
  3. Place lid on the instant pot and cook for 8 minutes on high pressure.
  4. While soup is cooking, melt butter in a saucepan.  Add flour and cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly.  Add evaporated milk and whisk until thickened, about 5 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and add cheese.  Stir until cheese is melted.
  6. Once instant pot is done cooking, quick release and remove bay leaves.
  7. Add cheesy roux and stir to combine
  8. Add diced ham and stir.
  9. Turn on sauté function and cook for 3-4 more minutes to make sure everything is heated through.
  10. Top with more cheese and/or crackers if desired. 

Notes

  • You can definitely use fresh broccoli in this recipe.  I just used frozen when I created it because I didn’t have fresh broccoli.
  • You can substitute regular milk for the evaporated milk, but I encourage you not to do that.  This is the best soup I have created, and I think it’s because of the evaporated milk.
  • This soup is perfect for freezing.  I often freeze it in individual portions so that my husband has a quick and easy lunch that’s already portioned out.
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 40 min
  • Category: soup