Golden Cheese Soup
Golden Cheese Soup offers a creamy, cheesy comfort with tender vegetables and ham, perfect for cozy family dinners or casual gatherings craving rich flavors.
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped potatoes ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped or sliced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup carrots, chopped or sliced ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon parsley flakes ⓘ
- 1 chicken bouillon cube ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- dash of pepper ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups milk ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons flour ⓘ
- 1/2 pound Velveeta cheese ⓘ
- 1 cup diced ham ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine potatoes, water, celery, carrots, onion, parsley flakes, chicken bouillon cube, salt, and pepper; mix well.
- Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- In a separate bowl, blend flour into the milk until smooth.
- Add the milk mixture and Velveeta cheese to the vegetable mixture, stirring until cheese melts and soup is heated through.
- Stir in diced ham before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker soup, you can blend a portion of the cooked potatoes before adding the cheese. If Velveeta isn't available, use another melty cheese like cheddar, but adjust the salt since cheddar can be saltier. To enhance the flavor, consider adding garlic powder or using vegetable broth instead of water for cooking the vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Golden Cheese Soup with crusty bread or crackers for a comforting meal. It pairs beautifully with Easter Potatoes for a delightful brunch. For added freshness, consider garnishing with chopped green onions or croutons before serving. A simple side salad can also complement this rich dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so slowly on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent the cheese from separating. You can add a splash of milk if the soup thickens too much during storage.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Golden Cheese Soup contains roughly 1363 calories, with 28g protein, 215g carbohydrates, and 46g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (123% of the Daily Value), and potassium (106% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2632mg per serving (114% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the soup in advance. However, it’s best to add the ham just before serving to maintain its texture. Reheat gently to avoid curdling the cheese.
What vegetables can I add to this soup?
You can customize this soup by adding vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or even frozen corn for extra flavor and nutrition. Just be sure to adjust cooking times accordingly.
Can I freeze Golden Cheese Soup?
While it's possible to freeze the soup, the texture may change upon thawing. If you plan to freeze it, consider omitting the cheese and ham initially, then adding them after reheating to maintain the best quality.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).