10+ Leftover Ham Recipes to Make Delicious Meals Easily
Leftover ham is honestly a lifesaver when you’re tired of the same old meals. If you’ve got extra ham from a holiday or big dinner, you’re probably wondering what to do with it that isn’t just another sandwich.
You can turn leftover ham into all sorts of easy, delicious dishes. Whether you’re into soups, casseroles, or sandwiches, there’s a way to make ham exciting again.
Ingredients
- Leftover ham
- Basic pantry staples (varies by recipe)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Cut your leftover ham into cubes or small pieces.
Step 2: Follow the steps for the recipe you choose and cook with the other ingredients.
Step 3: Serve and enjoy—no more boring leftovers.
1) Ham and Potato Casserole
Ham and potato casserole is a classic, no-fuss way to use up leftover ham. You’ll mix diced ham with potatoes and a creamy cheese sauce for a cozy, filling meal.
It’s easy to throw together and feeds a crowd. Use fresh or frozen potatoes—whatever you’ve got works fine.
The creamy sauce keeps everything nice and moist. Honestly, it’s a solid way to make leftovers feel brand new.
You don’t need a ton of ingredients, either. Switch up the cheese and spices if you want to keep things interesting.
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced cooked ham
- 4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 small onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Boil potatoes until just tender—about 10 minutes—then drain.
- Melt butter in a saucepan and cook the onion until soft.
- Stir in flour, cook for a minute, then slowly add milk, stirring until thick.
- Take off the heat and mix in the cheese until melted.
- Combine potatoes, ham, and cheese sauce in a baking dish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
2) Creamy Ham and Broccoli Rice Bake
This creamy ham and broccoli rice bake makes quick work of leftover ham. You’ll toss in tender broccoli, cooked rice, and chopped ham with a creamy sauce.
It’s super simple to prep. You can even assemble it ahead, stash it in the fridge, and bake later.
The sauce usually uses cream of celery or mushroom soup. Add cheese or sour cream if you want it extra rich. One pan means less cleanup, which is always a win.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped leftover ham
- 10 ounces frozen broccoli
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 (10-ounce) can cream of celery or mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
- ½ cup sour cream or milk
Cooking Instructions
- Set oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a big bowl, mix ham, broccoli, rice, soup, and sour cream or milk.
- Pour it all into a baking dish.
- Sprinkle cheese on top if you want.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until hot and bubbly.
3) Leftover Ham Pasta with Parmesan Sauce
You can whip up a creamy ham pasta with Parmesan sauce in no time. It’s fast, comforting, and honestly feels a little fancy for a leftover meal.
Throw in peas or zucchini for some color and extra nutrition. Garlic and peppers add a nice kick without much work.
Just cook the pasta, warm up the ham, and toss everything in the sauce. Any pasta shape works—use what you have.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked leftover ham, chopped
- 12 oz pasta (rigatoni, spiral, or whatever’s handy)
- 1 cup peas or chopped zucchini
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package, then drain.
- In a pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add ham and peas or zucchini. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Pour in cream and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in Parmesan until the sauce thickens.
- Toss in the pasta and mix to coat.
- Season and serve warm.
4) Ham and Cheese Quiche
Ham and cheese quiche is one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” ways to use leftover ham. Grab a store-bought pie crust if you’re in a hurry.
This dish works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Eggs, cheese, and ham make it hearty and tasty with hardly any effort.
Add your favorite cheese or toss in a few veggies if you’re feeling wild. Baking at 350°F (175°C) gives you a golden top and a creamy, soft inside.
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup diced leftover ham
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Swiss)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Put the crust in a pie pan, then add ham and cheese.
- Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Pour the egg mix over the ham and cheese.
- Bake 35-40 minutes until set and lightly browned.
- Let it cool a bit before slicing.
Want an easy recipe? Here’s a quick guide.
5) Honey-Glazed Ham Sandwiches
Leftover ham makes a killer honey-glazed sandwich. The honey’s sweetness just works with the salty ham, and Brie cheese adds that creamy touch.
Soft potato rolls hold everything together. Baby arugula gives a little peppery bite, and a swipe of strawberry jam on the roll? Trust me, it’s good.
Great for lunch or a light dinner, and you don’t need to overthink it.
Ingredients
- 8 potato rolls
- 8 slices honey-glazed ham
- 8 slices Brie cheese
- A handful baby arugula
- Strawberry jam
Cooking Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Slice rolls and spread jam on the bottoms.
- Layer ham, Brie, and arugula.
- Set sandwiches on a baking sheet and bake 8-10 minutes until cheese melts.
- Serve warm.
6) Split Pea Soup with Ham
Split pea soup is probably the coziest way to use leftover ham. It’s hearty and comes together with just a few simple ingredients.
Toss in potatoes or celery if you want more veggies. Let it simmer so the peas get soft and the ham flavor really comes through.
A ham bone or diced ham both work. Just add water or broth, peas, and the veggies, and let it do its thing.
Ingredients
- 1 package (16-20 oz) dried green split peas, rinsed
- 1-2 cups diced leftover ham
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed (optional)
- 8 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Rinse split peas in cold water.
- In a big pot, combine peas, ham, onion, carrots, celery, potatoes (if you want), bay leaf, and water or broth.
- Bring to a boil, then lower heat to simmer.
- Cook uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring now and then.
- Take out the bay leaf.
- Season and serve.
Need more details? Here’s a Split Pea Soup with Ham recipe.
7) Ham and Pea Pasta Salad
Ham and pea pasta salad is super easy and honestly pretty refreshing. Mix pasta, peas, and ham with a creamy dressing, and you’re set.
Add cheese and onions for extra flavor. Elbow macaroni or shells hold the dressing nicely.
The dressing is usually just mayo and a little ranch or lemon for tang. It’s simple, but it works.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni or shells)
- 1 cup cooked ham, diced
- 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- ½ cup shredded cheese (Colby Jack or Cheddar)
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp ranch seasoning or 1 tbsp lemon juice
Cooking Instructions
- Cook pasta, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- If you use frozen peas, cook and cool them first.
- Mix pasta, ham, peas, cheese, and onion in a big bowl.
- In a small bowl, stir together mayo and ranch or lemon juice.
- Pour dressing over the salad and mix well.
- Chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
8) Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup
Cheesy ham and potato soup is honestly one of my favorite ways to use up leftover ham. It’s warm, filling, and you don’t need fancy ingredients.
Just toss in potatoes, ham, cheese, and maybe some onions or celery if you’re feeling it. The soup turns out creamy, with a nice cheesy kick that’s hard to resist.
I love making this on chilly nights or when I just want something easy. You can swap ingredients around depending on what’s in your fridge.
You’ll need about 30-40 minutes to throw this together. Cook the potatoes until they’re soft, then stir in the ham and cheese for that rich, melty finish.
Ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups peeled and diced potatoes
- ¾ cup diced cooked ham
- ⅓ cup finely chopped onion
- ⅓ cup diced celery (optional)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- In a large pot, cook onions and celery until they’re soft.
- Add diced potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are tender.
- Stir in ham, milk, and cheese until everything’s melted and creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper. Heat through, but don’t let it boil.
- Serve hot. Enjoy every spoonful.
Find more ideas at Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup Recipe – Food.com.
9) Ham and Mushroom Casserole
This ham and mushroom casserole is just a cozy way to use leftover ham. It’s creamy, with that rich mushroom flavor that goes so well with noodles.
You really don’t need much effort here. The base is creamy mushroom soup and cheese, which keeps it moist and flavorful.
Peas or other veggies work if you want to toss them in. I usually just bake it till the top gets all golden and bubbly.
Honestly, it reheats great—leftovers are a win.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups uncooked egg noodles
- 2 cups cubed leftover ham
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1/2 cup peas (optional)
- 1/4 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook egg noodles according to the package, then drain.
- In a big bowl, mix noodles, ham, mushroom soup, milk, and peas.
- Stir in half the cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until it’s bubbly and golden.
10) Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
Scalloped potatoes with ham is such a classic, cozy way to use up leftover ham. You just layer thin slices of potatoes with chunks of ham in a creamy cheese sauce.
The whole thing bakes until the potatoes turn soft and the top gets all golden and bubbly. It smells incredible coming out of the oven.
This meal fills you up and honestly works for dinner or even brunch. If you want a little more flavor, toss in some onion or garlic—totally up to you.
The creamy sauce with melted cheese makes the potatoes super rich and smooth. I like to swap in whatever cheese I have on hand, but cheddar is always a safe bet.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked ham, diced
- 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar works well)
- 2 cups milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir in flour until smooth, then cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually pour in milk, stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Add salt, pepper, and half the cheese; mix it up.
- In a baking dish, layer half the potatoes, ham, and sauce.
- Repeat the layers and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Take off the foil and bake another 15 minutes until it’s bubbly and golden.
- Let it cool a bit before you dig in.
If you want more details or just need a little inspiration, check out Easy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham.