37 Leftover Ham Recipes to Make the Most of That Beautiful Roast
If you’ve found yourself with a lot of leftover ham, we’ve got some good news for you: There are countless ways to use it. These easy leftover ham recipes include creamy casseroles, family-friendly brunch dishes, and catchall soups and stews—and nobody will ever guess you started with a pre-loved roast.
Ham fits so seamlessly into so many different dishes and we’ve dreamed up ways to incorporate it into every meal of the day. Start the morning with a pillowy, savory Dutch baby or a hamand cheese quiche; make lunchtime sunny-side up with croque-madame for the whole family; then get a warm and cozy dinner stewing in the form of a hearty ham hock stew. Don’t say we didn’t warn you: These recipes for leftover ham might make you wish you’d bought a second roast.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Mindy Fox1/37Pasta With 15-Minute Ham, Pea, and Cream Sauce
This pasta dish is the best leftover ham recipe for folks who’ve been doing lots of holiday cooking for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter: The simple cream sauce takes only 15 minutes of prep time and uses a good amount of ham. The recipe calls for farfalle, but penne, macaroni, or any other short pasta would work well.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin2/37Monte Cristo With Apple-Hatch Chile Jam
This delightfully sweet-and-savory rendition of a breaded and fried Monte Cristo sandwich boasts an apple-chile spread so good, we’d eat it all on its own. Make it a soup-and-sandwich combo meal with a bowl of chowder.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson3/37Classic Eggs Benedict With Blender Hollandaise
Canadian bacon is tasty, but you can probably guess our move here. Top these post-holiday bennys with slices of leftover glazed ham; it’s a tasty swap that pairs just as well with the classic combination of buttered English muffins, perfectly poached eggs, and creamy Hollandaise sauce.
Photo by Bobbi Lin4/37Salad Pizza
In the picture above, you’ll see that this just-baked, garlic-scented pizza crust is topped with tangles of prosciutto, but you can absolutely pair any thinly sliced leftover ham with the crisp Bibb lettuce, tangy pickled onions, and lively vinaigrette in this recipe. Pick up fresh pizza dough from the grocery store or your local pizzeria.
Photo by Tara Donne, food and prop styling by Ali Nardi5/37Ham, Gruyère, and Tomato Toast With Dijon Mustard
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Judy Mancini6/37White-Cut Chicken
The cavity of the chicken in this recipe, which is traditional for Lunar New Year, is stuffed with scallions, ham, and ginger. It’s garnished with fresh cilantro leaves and served warm with a ginger-scallion dipping sauce.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell7/37Diner-Style Western Omelet
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone8/37Croque Madame Casserole With Ham and Gruyère
Thick slices of leftover holiday ham would work just as well as the thin-sliced stuff from the store in this satisfying breakfast casserole dish, which is packed with cheesy ham, sharp mustard, and eggs. Serve at brunch alongside your favorite citrus salad or a big bowl of crisp lettuce and crunchy raw veggies (or maybe some hash browns).
Photo by Jim Henkens9/37Quick White Bean and Ham Gratin
Crispy ham meets creamy white beans in this cassoulet-inspired ham casserole that takes just 20 minutes to put together. Thanks to protein-packed white beans, it’s an extra-easy dinner, but it also makes a lovely holiday side dish.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich10/37Roast Turkey With Country Ham Stuffing and Giblet Gravy
If you’ve got leftover ham from Thanksgiving, freeze it and use it to stuff this turkey for Christmas. Now that’s a way to hack the holidays.
Photo by Elizabeth Cecil11/37Croque Madame With Cranberry-Mustard Relish
When in doubt, put an egg on it. And make sure the cheese runs out of the sandwich so it gets nice and crispy. Top these sandwiches with fresh herbs, like green onions or dill, and serve with a side salad (like this bright, citrusy salad recipe).
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Photo by Laura Edwards13/37Savory Gruyère Bread With Ham
Think of this as banana bread’s savory, chic French cousin. We love to stuff it with diced ham and Gruyère, but sharp cheddar cheese works just as well. Serve slices as an appetizer with a glass of wine, or enjoy it as an afternoon comfort food snack.
14/37Chicken Cordon Bleu
Want a surefire way to bring some excitement to boneless, skinless chicken breasts? Wrap them in thinly-sliced ham, coat the whole package in egg and breadcrumbs, and fry. For a full-on feast, serve with scalloped potatoes baked in a luscious cheese sauce or classic mashed potatoes.
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