Description
This Canadian Cheese Soup is a rich, creamy, and comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Made with tender potatoes, fresh vegetables, and a velvety sharp cheddar cheese sauce, it combines savory ham and aromatic leeks for a hearty, satisfying bowl of warmth and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup:
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 medium potatoes, cubed
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- ½ cup onions, diced
- 1 leek, green top removed, thoroughly washed and sliced
- 2 tsp. sea salt or kosher salt
- ½ tsp. pepper
- 2 cups cooked, cubed ham
For the Cheese Sauce:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup gluten-free or regular all-purpose flour
- 1 quart whole milk (or half-and-half or cream for extra richness)
- 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (feel free to mix and match cheese varieties)
Optional Substitutions:
- Vegetarian Option: Replace ham with smoked tofu or a plant-based alternative
- Dairy-Free Option: Substitute milk with almond or oat milk, and use dairy-free cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: In a large Dutch oven or stockpot, combine the chicken broth, cubed potatoes, chopped celery, sliced carrots, diced onions, and sliced leeks. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: While the vegetables are simmering, melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the flour, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Slowly add the milk or cream, about ¼ cup at a time, whisking continuously until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
- Add Cheese to the Sauce: Once thickened, stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese has fully melted and combined into a creamy sauce, about 5 minutes.
- Combine the Cheese Sauce with the Soup: Pour the cheese sauce into the pot with the simmered vegetables and stir well to combine. Add the cubed ham and heat through on low to medium heat for another 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once heated thoroughly, ladle the Canadian Cheese Soup into bowls. Serve warm to enjoy the rich, cheesy comfort in every spoonful.
Notes
- Use fresh vegetables, especially fresh potatoes, leeks, and carrots, for the best natural sweetness and texture.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties such as Gouda or Swiss to customize the flavor profile.
- Adjust soup thickness by either reducing broth quantity for thickness or adding more flour to the cheese sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering, Sauce Making
- Cuisine: Canadian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 245g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Canadian cheese soup, creamy cheese soup, cheddar soup, comfort food, potato cheese soup, ham and cheese soup
