35+ Delicious Leftover Ham Recipes (2024)

Have you been wondering what to do with leftover ham? If you’ve served a big ham for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, you no doubt have leftovers.

If you have leftover ham, you have a good problem. You can make tons of delicious recipes with leftover ham, but you can also freeze your ham in recipe portions. To do this, just put 1-2 cups of ham into zip-top freezer bag and label it. Then, you have ham for future recipes.

And that’s a good thing because few things are more delicious and versatile than leftover ham.

Leftover ham is a common occurrence after festive celebrations or large family gatherings. Many households find themselves with ample amounts of this versatile protein, pondering how to transform it into delicious new meals. Fear not, as there are countless creative ways to repurpose this tasty ingredient that will turn your leftovers into mouth-watering dishes.

One of the key reasons leftover ham is so adaptable is its ability to be incorporated into various cuisines and meal types. From breakfast casseroles to hearty pasta dishes, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to reinventing your post-celebration ham. Moreover, employing these recipes can reduce food waste, save time and money, and provide your family with satisfying meals.

Some popular leftover ham recipes include combining it with eggs in a frittata or quiche, tossing it into a flavorful fried rice, or layering it in a warm and comforting casserole. Regardless of which route you choose, these simple yet satisfying combinations are sure to delight the palates of your loved ones and turn your excess ham into delectable creations.

In fact, one of the best things about making a baked ham is the leftovers that can be used in delicious casseroles, comforting and hearty pots of beans, and satisfying sandwiches.

We scoured the internet for the best 32 ham recipes for dinner, lunch, and breakfast. Read on for the best leftover ham recipes online.

Source: Thekitchenmagpie.com

1. Monte Cristo Sandwich

No list of leftover ham recipes would be complete without this classic sandwich.

The Monte Cristo sandwich is a ham and cheese sandwich that is dipped in batter and deep-fried or pan-fried to a golden crunchiness.

This sandwich first became popular in the 1930s, but its popularity peaked in Southern California in the 1960s.

Traditionally, this is a savory sandwich, but you will usually see it sprinkled with some powdered sugar.

This recipe is a copycat recipe from the famous Monte Cristo sandwich sold at Disneyland.

White bread is a must for this sandwich, and it’s layered with Swiss cheese, ham, and turkey.

Source: Fivehearthome.com

2. Ham and Cheese Grits Casserole

For many families, holiday mornings spent together mean there’s going to be a breakfast casserole coming out of the oven.

If you want a delicious breakfast casserole that is even heartier than usual, you will appreciate this recipe because the casserole has grits, along with eggs, diced ham, and cheese.

The grits are cooked before the casserole is mixed together, and you can use regular grits or quick grits.

This recipe calls for cheddar cheese, but you could use Colby or mozzarella cheese, too.

Source: Joyousapron.com

3. Ham and Cheese Croissant Casserole

One of the things we love to make ahead of time is a hearty breakfast casserole.

When you have company spending the night, it’s so nice to get up the next morning and pop this ham and cheese casserole in the oven for breakfast.

To make this breakfast casserole, buttery croissants are soaked in an egg mixture, then combined with your leftover ham and some creamy cheese.

You can make this recipe with whatever cheese you have on hand, but it’s delicious with shredded cheddar cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese.

Source: Thenovicechefblog.com

4. Leftover Ham Casserole

One of the first things most cooks think of when they have leftover meat is a soul-soothing and comforting casserole.

And why not? Casseroles are easy to put together and pretty much universally loved by everyone.

This is one of the leftover ham recipes that you can freeze. Simply assemble the casserole and wrap it thoroughly with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Then, stick it in the freezer for up to three months.

To give this leftover ham casserole a crunchy topping, sprinkle it with panko breadcrumbs before putting it in the oven.

Source: Dinnerthendessert.com

5. Leftover Ham and Potato Soup

This leftover ham soup that is cooked in the slow cooker or Crock Pot is the perfect meal for the day after a holiday.

To make this potato soup, use russet potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes.

The onions, celery, and carrots add plenty of depth to this stick-to-your-ribs soup, and the only seasonings you need are Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper.

This potato soup is extra creamy because it’s made with chicken broth, heavy cream, and sour cream.

While the recipe doesn’t call for cheese, feel free to sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on top if you want.

Source: Sidewalkshoes.com

6. Bread Pudding

When one thinks of bread pudding, we don’t usually pair it mentally with ham and cheese. However, it’s surprisingly delicious and oh so hearty.

One thing that sends this bread pudding over the top is the Dijon mustard, an unexpected flavor that delights.

For seasoning, garlic, onion, black pepper, salt, and nutmeg are all you need.

This bread pudding is made with Hawaiian bread, so it’s nice and sweet, and the ham and cheese add a savory flavor.

The eggs and Swiss cheese give you some awesome protein.

Source: Nelliesfreerange.com

7. Leftover Ham and Stuffing Frittata

After Thanksgiving, most of us have plenty of leftover stuffing.

Everyone loves it, but what to do when you have too much to eat up the next day?

It’s not easy to find recipes that use up leftover stuffing. Well, now you can use your leftover stuffing to make this creative and delicious frittata.

What makes this so wonderful is how the stuffing soaks up all of the delicious flavors in this dish.

This recipe uses a dozen eggs, so it will feed plenty of people. Just substitute the breakfast sausage in the recipe for chunks of ham.

Source: Inspiringsavings.com

8. Leftover Ham Sandwich

Making ham sandwiches with leftover ham is a time-honored holiday tradition.

But how do you make the perfect ham sandwich? We may have found it.

These sandwiches are baked and we love that they’re the size of slider sandwiches.

The size of this ham sandwich makes it perfect for kids to carry for lunch. Also, these sandwiches make excellent appetizers or snacks for tailgate parties.

Load these ham sandwiches up with plenty of cheese, including provolone cheese, American cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

Source: Wellplated.com

9. Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Pinwheels are insanely addictive. Who can resist these little disc-shaped gems of cheese, crispy bread, and ham?

This recipe has only four ingredients, believe it or not. Nevertheless, they look like something baked in a gourmet bakery.

These pinwheels take advantage of frozen puff pastry. The cheese is grated gruyere, but you can use sharp cheddar, fontina, or any other cheese that melts well.

Once they are baked, you can freeze these pinwheels individually and then pull them out of the freezer for busy mornings.

Source: Spendwithpennies.com

10. Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Scalloped potatoes serve as a time-honored side dish, but you can make this cheesy comfort food a full meal casserole when you add ham.

This is a super filling casserole and it makes a great dish to carry to potlucks and family gatherings.

To start this dish, you will need to make a roux, but don’t be intimidated by that. It’s just flour and fat that produces a white sauce.

To make this delicious dish a comfort food meal, serve it with a salad and some garlic bread or rolls. Slow cooker ham is also great with this recipe.

Source: Cookingclassy.com

11. Leftover Ham Chowder

Something about the word chowder just makes people feel cozier.

Chowders are famously hearty soups, and when you make one with ham, potatoes, and bacon, you’ve got something magical in a pot.

This creamy soup is loaded with sweet corn, potatoes, real bacon bits, and bite-sized chunks of salty ham.

Carrots and celery add tons of nutrition to this chowder. Spices like thyme and oregano flavor it beautifully.

To make it nice and creamy, you can use heavy cream or sour cream. Alternatively, fat-free half and half will work just fine in this dish.

Source: Thesaltymarshmallow.com

12. Ham and Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Muffins are a popular go-to breakfast and brunch food, but they don’t have to be sweet.

In fact, these savory ham and cheese breakfast muffins are as quick and easy as fast food, but they’re full of nutritious foods like eggs and broccoli.

Mix all of your ingredients together in a big bowl, then ladle the mixture into muffin tins. Before sticking the pan in the oven, sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.

These muffins only take 20 minutes to bake, and they’re absolutely delicious.

Source: Bellyrumbles.com

13. Ham Hash

If you’ve ever had corned beef hash and loved it, then make room for ham hash.

In this classic dish, diced ham is the superstar, but the potatoes are running a close second behind.

This easy recipe has a surprising flavor because it makes use of a granny smith apple, which adds an unexpected sweetness and tartness at the same time.

For seasoning, you will love the fresh thyme and garlic.

A classic way to serve ham hash is with a fried egg or some poached eggs.

Source: Thecountrycook.com

14. Leftover Ham Salad

We love that cooked ham is so incredibly versatile. You can use ham to make casseroles, sandwiches, soups, and even pasta dishes.

However, one of the best uses for leftover ham is a creamy ham salad.

Once you have your ham salad, you can use it for hearty sandwiches or serve it as an appetizer or snack with crackers.

Ham salad doesn’t require much prep work at all, and it’s just creamy enough without being so creamy that it makes your bread or crackers soggy.

Source: Damndelicious.net

15. Leftover Ham and Cheese Scones

Anytime you make scones, your friends and family are going to be thoroughly impressed.

While scones are usually sweet, these savory scones are hearty enough for breakfast or brunch.

The great thing is, you can serve these ham and cheese scones either cold or hot, and they’re tasty either way.

You can use honey-glazed ham to make these scones if that’s what you have, or you can use regular baked ham leftovers.

Besides breakfast and brunch, these scones make excellent snacks and appetizers. You can even bake them ahead and freeze them individually.

Source: Foodtasticmom.com

16. Ham and Pineapple Rice

What is it about ham and pineapple together? They just seem to completely complement each other.

For another meal that will bring the flavors of Hawaii to your kitchen, we recommend you check out this delicious recipe for ham fried rice made with pineapple and ham.

For this recipe, the ham is diced and the pineapple is cut into bite-sized chunks. A little bit of pineapple juice adds an even more delicate sweetness.

Garnish this meal with green onions and be sure to have some soy sauce on the table.

Source: Whatsfordinner.com

17. Ham Pot Pie Soup

Who doesn’t love a pot pie? Pot pies are the ultimate comfort food and people have been eating them for centuries.

We love the idea of pulling together all of the ingredients for a ham pot pie and making soup instead.

It’s almost like getting two comfort foods in one meal, isn’t it?

For this recipe, you will need egg noodles. The veggies in this soup are green beans, corn, celery, garlic, carrots, and onion.

Spices like fresh parsley, bay leaves, and black pepper add plenty of seasoning.

Source: Thelemonbowl.com

18. Leftover Ham Breakfast Sandwich

If you’re looking for a tasty breakfast sandwich that is packed with flavor and protein, you will love this recipe.

To make these yummy little breakfast sandwiches, you need eggs, thickly sliced ham or grilled ham, sliced cheddar cheese, and hearty wheat English muffins.

These sandwiches are cooked in the oven in batches. You can make up a big batch of these sandwiches and freeze them ahead.

When you’re ready to leave for work on a busy morning, just pull one out of the freezer and pop it in the microwave.

Source: Mybakingaddiction.com

19. Ham and Cheese Sliders

It seems like the whole world is in love with sliders.

Tiny sandwiches that can be eaten with your hands are always a lot of fun, and these cheesy leftover ham sliders hit the spot.

These sliders are made with sweet Hawaiian rolls, so you know they’re delicious.

But what sends them over the top is the butter topping that you brush on before you bake them.

They are baked in a large batch, so it’s super easy to pull together enough to feed a crowd of hungry kids.

Source: Damndelicious.net

20. Leftover Ham Pasta

If you’re craving something comforting and creamy, you can’t go wrong with this luscious pasta dish.

The cream sauce is garlic parmesan, so you know it’s as delicious as it is creamy.

You can use frozen peas or canned peas, but if you use canned, you will need to add them a little later.

This recipe gets its creaminess from half and half, but you can also use the fat-free version.

Chicken broth adds substance and the four cloves of garlic make this recipe super flavorful.

Source: Lucismorsels.com

21. Waffles with Leftover Ham

Most people love waffles, but the way we eat them in the U.S. makes them as sugary as candy.

How about adding some ham and cheese to your waffle batter to make that anticipated waffle breakfast much more substantial?

Besides adding some substance to the waffle batter, this recipe also uses lower-fat ingredients like nonfat milk and Greek yogurt.

Instead of shredded cheddar cheese, consider cheddar cheese chunks so that you’ve got these tasty little pockets of cheese in your waffles.

Source: Sallysbakingaddiction.com

22. Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets

Most people love the popular frozen food Hot Pockets, especially kiddos. However, you can make them at home for a fraction of what you pay for them at the grocery store.

But here’s the best part. They’re much tastier when you make them from scratch.

To make these delicious ham and cheese hot pockets, you can use homemade pizza dough or buy some at the store for a quick and easy breakfast or lunch.

The cheese can be sharp cheddar cheese, jack cheese, or mozzarella cheese.

Source: Thesourthernladycooks.com

23. Ham and Spinach Casserole

When you add spinach to a casserole, it automatically makes it a healthy meal, right?

Well, spinach certainly adds a healthy dose of greens to any dish.

One thing we love about this casserole is that you can assemble it the day before, like most casseroles.

This recipe calls for fresh spinach, but you can use frozen spinach if that’s what you have. Just be sure to thaw it and squeeze out the excess water before adding it to your casserole pan.

While the recipe specifies parmesan cheese, you can use whatever cheese you have.

Source: Aspicyperspective.com

24. Leftover Ham and Bean Soup

If you’ve ever had leftover ham or a ham hock, you’ve probably tossed it into a pot of beans at one time or another.

You can also use a ham bone to perfectly season your beans or black-eyed peas.

Ham and bean soup is an incredibly hearty meal and this recipe is completely versatile.

You can use navy beans as listed in the recipe, but you can substitute nearly any type of bean.

The ham is the star of the show in this soup, but the spices in this recipe are sublime: cumin, crushed red pepper, and six wonderful garlic cloves.

To make these beans even easier, cook them all day in the slow cooker. Crock Pot ham and beans are always welcome.

Source: Joaniesimon.com

25. Leftover Ham and Cheese Pizza

No matter how you slice it, pizza is yummy. Did you know that you can use your leftover ham to make a delicious pizza?

What we love about this recipe is the pineapple that comes together with the cheese and ham to make a sublime Hawaiian wonder.

Now, we are well aware of the battle between people who love pineapple on their pizza and those who don’t. However, even if you don’t normally want pineapple on your pizza, this pineapple pizza recipe is something to try.

Source: 40aprons.com

26. Ham and Potato Casserole

The creamy and rich cheese sauce in this ham and potato casserole is to die for.

This casserole has only a few ingredients, but that’s all it takes when you’re looking for this kind of cheesy perfection.

You can pull this meal together with just a few simple steps. It all starts with melted cheese sauce.

Then, you layer all of your ingredients into your casserole dish, bake this wondrous creation, and then get ready to enjoy a scrumptious meal.

You can even assemble your casserole the night before.

Source: Savorywithsoul.com

27. Leftover Ham and Leek Pies

This ham and leek pie has a golden, crispy brown crust, and underneath you will find vegetables, mushrooms, and tender pieces of delicious ham.

The veggies in these ham pies are potatoes and carrots, so you can just imagine how satisfying and hearty this recipe is.

However, the star of the show (besides the ham!) is the spice mixture of marjoram, black pepper, and nutmeg. The secret surprise ingredient is yellow mustard, but you can use Dijon for even more drama.

The decadent ingredients are smothered in a sauce that is creamy and savory.

Source: Stripedspatula.com

28. Split Pea Soup

Leftover ham has been used to make split pea soup for longer than we even know.

If you have ham pieces that are close to the ham bone, it’s even better. However, this recipe is just as good with chunks of ham or shredded ham.

Full of nutritional benefits, split peas are a low-fat food that is loaded with protein and fiber.

The great thing about cooking split pea soup is that you don’t need to soak the peas before you cook them.

This soup has celery, carrots, and onion.

Source: Barefeetinthekitchen.com

29. Leftover Ham and Cheese Biscuits

Have you ever thought of mixing creamy cheese and smoky ham right into your biscuit batter and baking it?

That’s what happens when you make these leftover ham and cheese biscuits.

How easy is this? You can cook up a huge batch of these little gems and freeze them. Then, breakfast is just a matter of grabbing it and going.

Kids love these because they’re quick and easy (not to mention super tasty!).

To make this even simpler, skip rolling out your dough and make drop biscuits.

Source: Spendwithpennies.com

30. Glazed Ham Loaf

Meatloaf is a classic American meal, but the fact is, meatloaf doesn’t have to be made from ground beef. Old-school cooks have been making ham loaf for generations.

This delicious ham loaf recipe makes use of a combination of pork and ground ham.

You can freeze leftover ham loaf in individual portions and it will keep in your freezer for as long as three months.

Serve this traditional recipe with a fresh salad, pasta salad, or mashed potatoes and you will find yourself with a new favorite on your list of family meals.

Source: Julieseatsandtreats.com

31. Baked Ham and Penne

Pasta and ham go beautifully together, so we were delighted to find this noodle casserole.

We love that this dish is a one-pot meal. The tender penne pasta and frozen peas are the perfect combination for a quick and easy dinner.

The spices are parsley, basil, oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

This recipe is made in a skillet, but there’s no reason why you can’t combine all of the ingredients and bake it as a casserole.

Source: Spendwithpennies.com

32. Linguine Carbonara

Does your family love spaghetti carbonara and other classic pasta dishes? If so, they will love this linguine carbonara made with leftover ham.

The recipe calls for peas, ham, and tender linguine noodles and the result is a creamy dish that everyone will swoon over.

What makes this leftover ham recipe so perfect is that it’s ready to serve in less than 20 minutes.

To round out this dish as a meal, serve it with buttery garlic bread and a tossed green salad.

Below, we’ve included a video showing how Martha Stewart makes leftover ham recipes.