CHEESY HAM AND CORN CHOWDER

Cheesy Ham and Corn Chowder image

Chowders always bring to mind a picture of a cozy, kicked-back, winter-time family meal; cuddled up around a roaring fireplace with plenty of warm food, good cheer and loving friends. This one is a Sunday night family favorite - easy on the cook (and the cook's pocketbook), yet sure to bring raves from the hubby and kids. Enjoy!

Provided by Geralyn Walters

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Chowders

Time 1h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

2 (15 ounce) cans chicken broth
½ cup sliced carrots
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
3 bay leaves
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon ground thyme
½ teaspoon dried marjoram
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup peeled and diced potatoes
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup sliced celery
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups milk
1 (15 ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup diced cooked ham

Steps:

Stir chicken broth, carrots, chicken bouillon, bay leaves, sea salt, pepper, thyme, marjoram, and garlic powder together in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 10 minutes. Add potatoes and onion; cook for 10 minutes more. Add celery; cook until all vegetables are fork tender, about 10 minutes more.
Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk flour into butter until smooth. Return saucepan to medium heat; gradually add milk to butter mixture, whisking constantly, and cook until mixture thickens, 6 to 7 minutes.
Stir milk mixture into vegetable mixture; add corn, Cheddar cheese, and ham, reduce heat to low, and simmer until ham is heated through and cheese melts, 10 to 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 408.3 calories, Carbohydrate 29.5 g, Cholesterol 75.7 mg, Fat 24.6 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 19.3 g, SaturatedFat 13.9 g, Sodium 2034.2 mg, Sugar 8.2 g