30 Best Leftover Ham Recipes to Savor All That Smoky, Salty Flavor
Creative ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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A big holiday ham will make the whole family happy! But no matter how many servings your guests go for, there always seems to be leftovers at the end of the night. But guess what? "Leftovers are one of the best parts," Ree Drummond says. And with these leftover ham recipes, you'll be able to savor that smoky, salty flavor for days to come.
To start, you'll want to know how to cook a ham―don't worry, it's easy. Then choose the method to make for your holiday meal: either Ree's root-beer glazed ham or slow cooker ham. The next day (or the next few days, as the case may be), use your golden-brown roast to create scrumptious soup recipes, fun pasta dishes, and even a few next-day breakfasts. Dice up extra ham to add salty-smoky flavor to a ham and cheese frittata or a breakfast casserole for your holiday weekend brunch!
Of course, there are plenty of creative twists on ham sandwiches for a quick weekday lunch, including Ree's ham, Swiss cheese, and pear panini. But if you’re looking to break out from the norm, try ham tetrazzini, ham and cheese pinwheels, or potato skins topped with diced ham. There are even a few ways to use up that ham hock! Whichever you choose, these leftover ham recipes are all worth trying and will let you enjoy every last bite of that baked goodness.
Ham Salad
You can't go wrong with this versatile classic! The creamy, flavorful spread combines diced ham with mayo, mustard, and a touch of relish. Serve it on crackers, sandwiches, or lettuce cups for an easy snack or meal that everyone will love.
Get the Ham Salad recipe.
Ham and Cheese Croissants
Want to whip up fresh, flaky croissants in no time? Here’s a clever shortcut: use store-bought puff pastry! With just 20 minutes of prep time, you can skip the hours (or days) of effort and still enjoy buttery, delicious results.
Get Ree's Ham and Cheese Croissants recipe.
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Slice that ham thin and you're ready to make this retro dinner! The meat gets rolled with Swiss cheese inside of chicken breasts and pan fries up into crispy perfection on the outside.
Get Ree's Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe.
Crescent Roll Casserole
Who wouldn't love starting the day with a slice of this hearty casserole? Use your leftover ham along with veggies, cheese, eggs, and convenient store-bought crescent rolls. Best of all, you can prep it the night before.
Get Ree's Crescent Roll Casserole recipe.
Ham Tetrazzini
For fans of turkey tetrazzini, this ham-filled variation is a must-try! This creamy baked spaghetti dish has a crunchy breadcrumb topping and a burst of freshness, thanks to green peas and parsley.
Get the Ham Tetrazzini recipe.
Monte Cristo
Prepare to experience the brunch sandwich of your dreams! This classic ham and Swiss cheese delight is dipped in a rich egg mixture and pan-fried to golden perfection. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness, too.
Get Ree's Monte Cristo recipe.
Croque Monsieur
If you’ve never heard of this classic French sandwich, just think of it like a decadent, gooey, next-level grilled cheese! Packed with savory ham and crowned with a rich, creamy béchamel sauce, it’ll take your leftovers to the next level.
Get the Croque Monsieur recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Ham
Diced ham, crunchy bell peppers, peas, cheddar cheese, and a creamy dressing come together to make this simple pasta salad an all-time crowd-pleaser. Watch it get devoured in no time!
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Ham recipe.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Dice up ham to make this creamy, old-school breaded chicken recipe. Rather than the traditional method of stuffing each chicken breast, this recipe simplifies things by assembling it all in a convenient casserole dish.
Get the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole recipe.
Ham and Cheese Quiche
The classic flavor combination of ham and cheese makes for the perfect filling in this homemade quiche. To keep things easy, this recipe calls for store-bought refrigerated pie crust.
Get the Ham and Cheese Quiche recipe.
Ham Casserole
Casseroles are a great way to use up leftovers! In this case, diced ham, cheese, peas, and rice make the dish perfect for after your Easter feast. It's easy to pop in the oven for an easy dinner throughout the week!
Get the Ham Casserole recipe.
Easter Breakfast Casserole
You can make this for Easter morning or in the days following the holiday with the leftovers. Inspired by the French croque monsieur, this casserole sandwiches thin slices of ham and cheese between slices of baguette.
Get the Easter Breakfast Casserole recipe.
Collard Greens
While this recipe calls for smoked turkey, you can also use your ham bone to help flavor the greens. Adding cubes or thin slices of ham meat to finish will add the right amount of salty goodness to the dish.
Get the Collard Greens recipe.
Hoppin' John
You don't have to wait until New Year's Day to make this classic southern dish. Cube up your ham instead of using a ham hock to flavor the black-eyed peas and rice.
Get Ree's Hoppin' John recipe.
Potato Skins with Leftover Ham
You can top crispy potato skins with just about anything, but leftover diced ham is always a good idea. Add some melty cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream for the perfect game day bite or after-school snack.
Ham, Swiss, and Pear Panini
This panini is salty, sweet, and cheesy all at once. The creamy herb spread adds an extra burst of freshness to the leftover sandwich. And, of course, making it on a grill pan gets it extra toasty.
Get Ree's Ham, Swiss, and Pear Panini recipe.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
These flaky bites are swirled with slices of ham and three types of cheese: ranch cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and gruyère. They'll be a hit with both kids and adults, alike.
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Ham Sandwiches with Quick Pickles
Making homemade pickles is so easy—especially when you have Ree's recipe for quick pickles that are both zippy and spicy. They're the perfect addition to this simple ham sandwich, along with iceberg lettuce and Miracle Whip.
Get Ree's Ham Sandwiches with Quick Pickles recipe.
Ham and Bean Soup
This comforting soup comes together in just 35 minutes so it couldn't be easier for a weekday lunch or dinner during the week. Just pop open a can of beans and use your leftover ham for quick and easy flavor.
Get the Ham and Bean Soup recipe.
Green Eggs and Ham
Inspired by the classic children's book, this breakfast dish is packed with green veggies, eggs, and salty ham. It also has lots of fresh chopped herbs for flavor and color.
Get the Green Eggs and Ham recipe.
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