31 Best Leftover Ham Recipes

These tasty leftover ham recipes are the perfect way to use up ham that wasn’t devoured during your feast!

Plenty of delicious meals are served during the holiday season, and chances are, you’ll have some leftover ham after dinner is over.

But that’s not really a problem. These easy ways to use leftover ham will ensure that none of that pork goodness goes to waste!

Ham is frequently the star of the show on dining tables during Easter and Christmas. However, it’s almost impossible not to have some leftovers. 

You know, because there’s a casserole, pie, and some sweet stuff on the holiday menu, too.

The good news is your leftover ham can be used for other meals the next day.

Here are 31 creative yet easy leftover ham recipes to keep you satisfied from breakfast to dinner!  

1. Leftover Ham Casserole

For a busy day after the holidays, this casserole recipe makes it easy to whip up a comforting meal for the family.

Using corn, creamy garlic sauce, noodles, and of course, your leftover ham, you’ll have a yummy pasta dish baked to perfection.

Don’t skip adding panko breadcrumbs on top, so every bite has a nice crunch.

2. Leftover Ham Salad

This ham salad requires minimal prep work and just plain tossing, but trust me, you’ll get a satisfying dish.

It’s not too creamy or saucy because you only need mayonnaise for the base.

Add a little bit of mustard, pepper, and salt, and you’ll have a flavorful dressing. 

3. Leftover Ham and Bean Soup

A warm bowl of ham and bean soup is my go-to meal for chilly nights. Make this for dinner, and you’ll warm the hearts and tummies of everyone at home!

This soup uses ham bone that intensifies the overall flavor.

For the beans, cannellini beans are the most common choice, but you can use other types like lentils or navy beans.

4. Leftover Ham and Leek Pies

Underneath the crispy, golden brown pie crust, you’ll find sliced fresh mushrooms, veggies, and tender bits of ham.

All of these ingredients are smothered in a creamy broth inside.

One bite and you’ll have a taste of proper comfort food oozing with warm flavors. Serve with mashed potatoes and peas for a filling meal.

5. Baked Ham and Penne Pasta

Ham and pasta is already a perfect combination. When baked together, oh my! You’ll be in for a wonderful treat!

The secret to this flavorful casserole is the creamy garlic-cheese sauce. Honestly, I love anything that’s smothered in this sauce.

Make this casserole ahead of time so you can just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat.

6. Ham and Cheese Croissant Casserole

Make your after-holiday brunch special with this casserole recipe. It’s full of savory and cheesy flavors, with a hint of sweetness.

Meanwhile, the croissants bring out a wonderful buttery flavor that combines well with ham and cheese.

Want to heat things up? Serve this dish with a hot sauce on the side. Or better yet, add some right into the casserole before baking.

7. Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets

Making your own hot pockets filled with classic ham and cheese is better than the store-bought version.

This hand-held meal is also great if you’re looking for something you can easily pack for lunch.

While this recipe calls for ham and cheese as a filling, you can make variations using meatballs, eggs and sausages, or chicken parmesan. 

8. Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Bring a southern taste to your home with these scalloped potatoes and ham. 

The sliced potatoes are cooked in a creamy sauce and then sprinkled with cheese on top.

Leftover ham adds a smoky flavor to this dish, making it more flavorful and also filling.

This main casserole dish goes well with various sides like roasted spinach, carrot salad, and southern fried apples.

9. Leftover Ham and Cheese Pizza

If you already like the combination of ham and cheese, then you’ll love seeing them together on a pizza!

Aside from ham and cheese, this recipe only requires onions, pizza sauce, and of course, the pizza dough.

If you’re looking for more colors and flavors, feel free to add more toppings. 

10. Ham Hash

When you’re tired of the usual corned beef hash, try the version where the main star is diced ham!

Making ham hash is a great way to use up your leftover ham and other ingredients in your kitchen pantry.

This recipe is also quick and easy. Just saute everything until perfectly crispy and brown. Finish it off by topping the hash with a sunny side up egg.

11. Glazed Ham Loaf

A slice from this ham loaf will have you singing praises. It features a tasty combination of flavors and is glazed with brown sugar and vinegar sauce.

Adding oats will bring a nice crunchy texture to the loaf. To infuse more flavor, garnish with tomatoes, spinach, and hard-boiled egg slices.

12. Leftover Ham Breakfast Sandwich

Ham, cheese, and eggs fill lightly toasted English muffins. This is a classic breakfast sandwich done in 20 minutes.

Because you’ll use leftover ham, you’ll just have to cook the eggs and assemble the sandwich. Easy-peasy, right?

13. Ham and Cheese Grits Casserole

This comforting breakfast casserole combines cornmeal, cubed ham, cheese, and a couple of spices.

It’s similar to an egg-based casserole but is more hearty, thanks to the grits.

Serve with fruits on the side or a glass of milk for a perfect breakfast meal!

14. Ham and Pineapple Rice

Lovers of Hawaiian pizza will adore this ham and pineapple rice.

The best part about this recipe is that you can do everything in one pot, so there’s less cleaning for you.

You can also make adjustments to this recipe. Add more veggies of your choice for texture.

Or use tomato sauce for your cooking liquid to capture the Hawaiian pizza flavor.

15. Ham and Potato Casserole

Out of all the casserole recipes on this list, this one is the most classic. Salty ham meets tender potatoes.

Both are smothered in a creamy cheese sauce and baked for about 30 minutes.

Jazz up this classic casserole by adding some veggies or using other protein sources.

Want to make it vegetarian? The cheesy potato is irresistible by itself! 

16. Ham Pot Pie Soup

This creamy pot pie soup is a great way to use both your holiday ham and leftover vegetables. 

The egg noodles make this dish more filling, while the garlic, bay leaves, and thyme infuse warm and comforting flavors to the soup. 

17. Leftover Ham and Cheese Biscuits

These buttermilk biscuits will give you a burst of flavors because they’re loaded with smoky ham and creamy cheese.

You can eat them as is or serve them with warm soup.

Make them as drop biscuits to skip the part where you have to roll the dough. It’s super easy.

Just scoop the dough, drop it onto the baking sheet, and bake away.

18. Leftover Ham Chowder

I love chowders! They’re rich, thick, creamy, and warm you up inside out. The same goes for this leftover ham chowder.

With only a few simple ingredients, this chowder is surprisingly tasty and delicious!

For a hint of spice, try dressing up your soup with shredded pepper jack cheese.

19. Leftover Ham Sandwich

This decadent sandwich features ham slices, melted cheese, mustard, mayo, and strawberry jam. This is one of the best ham sandwiches I’ve ever had!

It’s a fool-proof recipe, too. There’s no cooking, just plain layering, and toasting. You’ll be done in 15 minutes or less.

20. Split Pea Soup

If you’re left with pieces of ham that are close to the bone, you can use them for this split pea soup.

But you can also use ham steaks or boneless ham if you like.

Potatoes and carrots add bulk to the soup, while the leftover ham bone gives an extra flavor boost.

21. Ham and Cheese Sliders

These sliders, or mini-burgers, are perfect as an afternoon snack or light lunch. Be sure to make extra because they’ll be gone in seconds.

All it takes is some layering and baking to make these sliders. The mixture of butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings is definitely a winner.

Pour the mixture over the rolls before baking for a light yet tasty glaze on top!

22. Leftover Ham and Potato Soup

Here’s another winter soup that you can make after Christmas. It’s easy, chock full of flavors, and oh-so-cheesy!

You may find the ingredient list quite long, but most of them are pantry staples.

Plus, you’ll only need one pot! Serve with crusty bread or salad for a complete meal. 

23. Ham and Spinach Casserole

Ham and spinach is the next best thing to the ham and cheese combo.

They’re both filling and healthy, and when you add ziti noodles to the mix, you’ll be more than satisfied!

Making a double batch of this casserole is ideal if you’re looking for a delicious meal for busy weeknights.

24. Leftover Ham and Cheese Scones

Watch these moist, flavor-packed scones impress and feed the crowd. These savory scones are ideal for picnics or as party food.

Served warm or cold, there’s no difference. These scones are downright tasty, all thanks to the cheddar cheese and honey-glazed ham.

25. Ham and Cheese Breakfast Muffins

These grab-n-go breakfast muffins are bound to become your new favorite!

They come together so quickly, plus most ingredients are already in your fridge or pantry.

These colorful muffins also freeze well. Pop one in the oven and breakfast will be ready in a minute.

26. Leftover Ham and Stuffing Frittata

Leftover ham and stuffing are the stars of this dish. Topped with shredded cheddar cheese, this recipe yields a savory frittata that the entire family will love.

Serve with a cup of coffee for breakfast or roasted vegetables and potatoes for lunch. 

27. Waffles with Leftover Ham

These waffles are stuffed with leftover ham and cheddar cheese. Both kids and adults will fall in love with this meal!

Make these waffles if you want something new and savory for breakfast. Berries, whipped cream, and powdered sugar are great toppings for regular waffles.

But ham and cheese in waffles will delight your palate in a different way.

Take things up a notch by serving the waffles with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.

Or if you want to create a Hawaiian twist, serve these waffles with pineapple salsa on the side. 

28. Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

This recipe instructs you to put sliced ham, swiss cheese, and cheddar cheese on pizza dough.

Roll them and bake them until golden brown, and voila! Insanely good pinwheels!

Aside from ham and cheese, the addictive flavor comes from the dijon butter glaze brushed on the roll-ups before baking.

Like other recipes on this list, you can also alter this one based on your preferences. Use your favorite cheeses or go for pepperoni instead of ham.

29. Bread Pudding

Looking for another savory meal to satisfy your cravings? Try this bread pudding loaded with ham and cheese. Yup, this combination works well for puddings, too!

Each bite is a delight because this pudding has a nice, crunchy corner and a soft, chewy texture in the middle.

Besides holiday ham, this recipe is also great to use up some of the stale bread you have at home.

30. Leftover Ham Pasta

This ham pasta is beyond ordinary. It’s creamy, cheesy, and nutritious! 

You’ll only need some leftover ham, peas, carrots, bowtie pasta, and cheese sauce for this recipe. Everything comes together in 20 minutes.

For a complete meal, serve this cheesy ham pasta with a salad or French bread on the side.

31. Monte Cristo Sandwich

This is a sandwich that you won’t mind having for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

This iconic American snack makes use of the all-time favorite ham and cheese combination. 

But more than that, it has mustard and mayonnaise and is dipped in egg before toasting. It’s so indulgent!

If you want this fancy sandwich for breakfast, enjoy it with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of honey on top. 

Other variations of the Monte Cristo sandwich may include bacon, chicken, or turkey.