Creamy Tortellini, Ham & White Bean Chowder Recipe Fills You Up Soups Dinner Pasta Lunch Pork

Don't let the long list of ingredients scare you off from trying this ham and bean chowder recipe. This creamy chowder recipe is really quick and easy to make – and a great way to use up leftover ham from the holidays or a big family meal.

This tasty chowder recipe has ham, creamy beans, vegetables and cheese tortellini in a flavorful, creamy broth. This creamy pasta, ham and bean chowder is a hearty, filling, comforting and satisfying lunch or dinner, especially during colder months when you need a stick-to-the-ribs meal.

To make this chowder recipe you will need to gather the following ingredients from your fridge and pantry: olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, flour, low-sodium chicken broth, cornstarch, leftover ham, cannellini beans, Dijon mustard, parsley flakes, dried oregano, dried thyme, ground cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, chicken bouillon, cheese tortellini and half and half.

Serve this bowl of comfort for lunch or dinner with your favorite side dishes. The soup is filling, so a crisp garden salad would be a nice side dish.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 2 - 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/3 cup flour
• 48 ounces (1 box) low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 cups cubed ham
• 15 ounces (1 can) cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
• 1/2 of a 1-pound bag frozen cheese tortellini
• 2 cups half and half

Recipes Notes

• You could omit the tortellini and add another can of white beans, or omit the beans and add the entire bag of frozen tortellini. 

• Cubed red potato would be a great addition to the celery and onions instead of using tortellini.

• Don't have leftover ham? Use chicken or turkey instead. So many options with this tortellini chowder.

Here's how to make it:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot. Add the onion, carrots and celery and cook about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, about 1 more minute. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes. 
2. Add all but 1/2 a cup of the chicken broth to the pot. Stir the cornstarch into the 1/2 cup of broth and add to pot (this prevents lumps). Add beans, ham, mustard, bay leaves, bouillon and herbs/spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook about 20 minutes. 
3. Add tortellini and cook about 3 minutes, or until al dente. Add half and half and warm through. Taste and adjust seasonings. 

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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