Vegetable Clam Chowder
A hearty vegetable clam chowder with tender potatoes, fresh herbs, and tender clams, perfect for cozy gatherings and seafood lovers seeking comforting, flavorful soup.
Ingredients
- 6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced ⓘ
- 6 stalks celery, diced ⓘ
- 6 medium carrots, sliced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley ⓘ
- 2 medium onions
- 1/2 box Velveeta cheese ⓘ
- 2 cans baby clams ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon basil ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon marjoram
- 1 teaspoon thyme ⓘ
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except cheese and clams in a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are soft, approximately 1 hour.
- Remove from heat and add Velveeta cheese and canned baby clams.
- Reheat until cheese is melted and ingredients are heated through.
- Serve hot. Can be frozen for later.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier chowder, consider adding a splash of heavy cream or milk after melting the cheese. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, you can substitute the clams with mushrooms or skip them entirely. Fresh herbs can elevate the flavor; try using dill or chives alongside the parsley. Season to taste as you go for the best results.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chowder with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Jim Fankhanel's Oyster Stew for a delightful seafood-themed dinner. For an extra touch, garnish with additional fresh parsley or a sprinkle of paprika before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the chowder to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a little water or milk to maintain creaminess.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Vegetable Clam Chowder contains roughly 369 calories, with 12g protein, 59g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (194% of the Daily Value), iron (84% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (61% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 17g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 use fresh clams instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh clams! Just make sure to steam them until they open, then add them to the chowder along with the cheese. This will give your chowder a more pronounced seafood flavor and a great texture.
How can I make this chowder spicier?
To add more heat, increase the amount of hot pepper flakes or add a diced jalapeño when cooking the vegetables. You can also serve it with a dash of hot sauce on the side for those who prefer an extra kick.
Is this chowder suitable for freezing?
Yes, this chowder freezes well. Just make sure to leave out the cheese when initially preparing it. Add the cheese when reheating after thawing to ensure it doesn’t separate or become grainy.
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).