Cheesy Ham & Tortellini Soup combines savory ham, creamy ingredients, and cheese-filled tortellini to create a dish that satisfies both hunger and taste. With a variety of flavors and textures, it stands out as a warm and delicious choice for chilly days!
The rich base of this ham vegetable soup results from a mix of milk and chicken broth, enriched with cooked bacon and fresh vegetables. Each ingredient adds depth, from the diced onion and carrots to the tender corn and the chunks of ham. The addition of cheddar cheese enhances the flavor, making this cheese tortellini soup an indulgent treat that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Check out these other great ham soup recipes- SLOW COOKER HAM & BEAN SOUP and HURST 15 BEAN SOUP. These soups are great for cold weather & when you want a heartier soup in your bowls!
Simple & Filling Meal- Cheesy Ham Soup
Cheesy Ham & Tortellini Soup is a comforting dish that satisfies hunger with its rich flavors and hearty ingredients. The combination of ham and cheese offers a savory profile that appeals to many.
The preparation of this dish is straightforward, making it an excellent option for both busy weeknights and leisurely weekends. With simple steps and easily accessible ingredients, anyone can bring this delightful soup to their table, ensuring a delightful mealtime experience!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS TASTY SOUP RECIPE
- It’s easy to make. While there is some effort involved, this soup is really a simmering soup. Convenience is a key feature of this recipe. By using left over ham, frozen corn, and refrigerated tortellini, this cuts down on the prep work.
- It goes well with just about anything. We like to serve this soup with some hard crusty bread like EASY NO KNEAD ARTISAN BREAD, but you could serve it with some sliced French bread or HOMEMADE CORNBREAD if desired!
- Versatile dish. This soup recipe is so versatile. It allows for adjustments, such as adding vegetables or varying the types of cheese. It’s perfect for family gatherings or a comforting meal on a chilly day!
Ingredients for Cheesy Ham & Tortellini Soup
Bacon: You will need about 8 bacon strips, cooked. We use the bacon grease for cooking the vegetables in, but you can also try our method of cooking bacon in the oven to save time.
Onion: Use ½ of a yellow onion, diced.
Carrots: This recipe calls for 1 cup carrots, diced.
Flour: Just 3 TBSP of all-purpose flour will thicken the soup.
Milk: You need 3 cups of milk for a creamy soup base.
Chicken broth: Add in 2 cups of chicken broth.
Ham: Using 2 cups of fully cooked and diced ham ensures plenty of savory chunks throughout the soup.
Corn: Add one 12-ounce bag of frozen corn to the mixture.
Black pepper: Just ¼ tsp of pepper adds the right amount of seasoning to the recipe.
Cheese tortellini: Use one 20-ounce bag of refrigerated cheese tortellini.
Cheddar cheese: Adding 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese gives the soup great flavor.
How to make Cheesy Ham and Tortellini Soup
Prep
Cook the bacon in a Dutch oven or large stockpot, over medium-high heat, until it is crispy. Remove bacon from pot and set aside.
While the bacon is cooking, dice the onion and chop the carrots. Once the bacon is cooked, don’t drain the bacon grease, add the carrots and onions to the pot and cook for a few minutes until tender.
Add in the flour and stir. Gradually add the milk and chicken broth, stirring frequently.
Simmer
Reduce the heat to medium, then add in the ham, corn, and black pepper. Simmer the soup for 10-15 minutes.
Then add the tortellini and shredded cheddar cheese, cook until the noodles are tender, stir occasionally.
Serve warm topped with crispy bacon and more cheese, enjoy!
Cheesy Ham & Tortellini Soup
Ingredients
- 8 bacon strips cooked and diced
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- 3 TBSP all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups ham fully cooked and diced
- 12 oz bag frozen corn
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 20 oz bag of refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Prep: Start by cooking the bacon in a Dutch oven or large stockpot, over medium-high heat, until crispy. Remove bacon from pot and set aside.
- Dice the onion and chop the carrots while the bacon is cooking. Once the bacon is done, don't drain the bacon grease, add the carrots and onions to the pot and cook for a few minutes until tender.
- Then add in the flour and stir. Proceed to gradually add the milk and chicken broth, stirring to combine the ingredients well.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium, then add in the ham, corn, and black pepper. Simmer the soup for 10-15 minutes.
- Now add the tortellini and shredded cheddar cheese, cook until the noodles are tender, stir occasionally. Serve warm topped with crispy bacon and more cheese, enjoy!
Notes
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HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER HAM SOUP
This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container. The soup can easily be reheated on the stove or in the microwave.
Can you freeze this ham & veggie soup?
Yes, this soup can be frozen for up to 3 months if stored properly. It is best to freeze it without the cheese, as dairy can change in texture when thawed. After cooking, let it cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers for freezing
Additional add ins for Ham & Tortellini soup
There are many options for adding extra ingredients. Vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms can enhance the flavor and nutrition. Herbs such as thyme or parsley can also be included for additional taste.
Is it necessary to cook bacon before incorporating it into a soup?
Cooking bacon beforehand is recommended. It allows for better flavor infusion as the bacon grease used for sautéing vegetables adds depth to the soup. Raw bacon may not render enough fat or flavor when simply added to the mixture.
CROCKPOT INSTRUCTIONS
If you want to make this soup in the crockpot, that is a great idea too! Start by prepping the bacon and veggies per the instruction above. Once you are ready to make the soup, add all of the ingredients into your crockpot, except for the cheese and tortellini. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 6 hours.
At this point, you have two options:
- Cook the tortellini in some boiling water and then add to the soup along with the cheese.
- Add the uncooked tortellini and cheese to the soup and cook on high in the crockpot for about 20 minutes or until noodles are tender. Every crockpot heats differently, so it make take a little shorter or longer for the noodles to cook. The refrigerated cheese tortellini only takes a couple of minutes to cook in boiling water, but if you are using boxed tortellini, it will take quite a bit longer.
This is a great option for a busy weeknight meal, you can get it started in the morning and come home to a delicious meal later on.
IT’S SOUP AND STEW SEASON. TRY MORE SOUP RECIPES HERE:
- CREAMY TOMATO SOUP WITH TORTELLINI
- CHICKEN POT PIE SOUP
- OLIVE GARDEN CHICKEN GNOCCHI SOUP
- THREE CHEESE SOUP
- TORTILLA SOUP WITH BLACK BEANS
- HOMEMADE BEEF BARLEY SOUP
- CHICKEN ALFREDO SOUP
- CROCKPOT CHEESEBURGER SOUP
- ZUCCHINI SAUSAGE SOUP
- COPYCAT CHICK-FIL-A CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
- EASY PUMPKIN SOUP
- EASY CROCKPOT HAM AND BEAN SOUP RECIPE
- PASTA FAGIOLI RECIPE
- LASAGNA SOUP
- SLOW COOKER FRENCH ONION SOUP
- GERMAN SAUSAGE SOUP
- CHEESY BROCCOLI POTATO SOUP
- 20 MINUTE LOADED BAKED POTATO SOUP
Cheesy Ham & Tortellini Soup made with chicken broth, cheese tortellini, ham and cheddar cheese. Easy ham soup recipe that is perfect for cold winter nights!
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