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Great Recipes for Using Leftover Ham

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Turn bits of leftover ham into new delicious meals with these fabulous recipes.  That ham hock wants to be used too. With these great ideas, you’ll be wanting to make a ham just for the leftovers!

Collage of recipes using leftover ham including ham balls, ham and pasta, ham and beans and a ham and asparagus frittata.

Easter is coming, so there is a good chance there is leftover ham in your future.  The sandwiches are always good, but sometimes you need something different. 

Here is a collection of fabulous recipes that will not only help you use it up, they’ll leave you wishing you had more!

If you asked my husband what my super power is, there’s a good chance he’d say reworking leftovers.  You never know how the bits and pieces in the fridge are going to come together.

I tend to cook with leftovers in mind. Instead of a small pork roast, I’ll cook the whole shoulder.

I’ll make an entire turkey for the three of us. I never buy a ham steak because I can make a whole ham.

Collage of images of food made with leftover ham including split pea soup, frittata, quiche, pasta, ham and beans, and more.

You get the picture. Ham is an especially versatile leftover because it is so versatile.

The hock and the hard to reach bits of meat on it make a great soup. Slices are great on sandwiches.

Ham is perfectly at home during breakfast, lunch and dinner. It adds big flavor even in smaller quantities.

So if you have found yourself with ham looking for a home, you are in the right place. Here are some of our favorite ways to use it:

Ham in Soups:

bowls of ham and beans next to basket of corn muffin

Make ham and beans in your instant pot for a satisfying meal. It’s a great way to use leftover ham and there’s no need to soak the beans!

Turn a ham bone and bag of dry split peas into a hearty soup in a fraction of the time with the help of a pressure cooker. This recipe will have you sitting down to a bowl of warm comforting goodness before you know it.

Instant pot split pea soup– turn a ham bone and bag of dry split peas into a hearty soup in a fraction of the time with the help of a pressure cooker. This recipe will have you sitting down to a bowl of warm comforting goodness before you know it.

bowl filled with thick ham and beans ready to eat.

This hearty ham and bean soup is made easily in a slow cooker. Let it cook all day long and you’ll have a stick to your rib dinner waiting for you when you get home!

Ham in Dinners:

plate of served pasta with ham and peas in front of pan of remaining pasta.

This creamy pasta with ham and peas is perfectly simple. It is a great way to use up some leftover ham and turn it into a comforting and delicious meal!

There is just enough cream and Parmesan cheese to bring it all together and the peas add a nice bright pop of color and sweet flavor. It is so simple to make and is one the family will love!

Casserole dish filled with pasta, ham, broccoli and melted cheese baked together into a full meal.

This creamy casserole is full of flavor. Dinner is sure to be popular with your family when it’s this cheesy ham and broccoli noodle casserole!

slice of pot pie filled with ham cheese and broccoli ready to eat

Turn leftover ham into a fabulous cheesy ham and broccoli pot pie. The flaky crust is a perfect way to hold the creamy cheesy filling.

Add some broccoli and it’s a whole meal in one dish. This comfort food dinner is sure to be a hit with your family.

stack of glazed ham balls on plate.

Ham balls are an Iowa tradition and for good reason, they are delicious! They are a great way to use leftover ham or a great excuse to put a ham on your shopping list. 

Small glass serving bowl filled with loaded sweet pasta salad with larger serving bowl in background.

Bit of leftover ham can take a pasta salad to the next level. This sweet macaroni salad is great as a side dish or add extra ham and make a whole meal out of it.

Ham for Breakfast, Brunch, or Lunch:

Slice of ham, potato and cheese quiche on plate with fork.

Enjoy a slice of ham, potato and cheese quiche any time of day, it’s always good. Your whole family is sure to love it and you can customize it easily too!

cast iron skillet full of frittata with eggs ham asparagus and cheese.

Whether served for breakfast, brunch or a light dinner this springy frittata is quick, easy and flavorful. Cheesy ham and asparagus frittata is the perfect recipe to share with friends and family!

Small bowl of deviled ham and egg salad on plate with crackers ready to eat.

Deviled ham and egg salad is the perfect spread for sandwiches or crackers. Take the leftover ham and hard boiled eggs from Easter and turn them into lunch… or dinner… or a snack!

You will love the not to the flavor of deviled eggs mixed with savory ham all in one fabulous salad.

breakfast chimichanga cut in half to show crispy exterior and ham, egg, cheese and potato filling inside.

These fun baked breakfast chimichangas have a crisp golden exterior and are stuffed with eggs, cheese, potato and ham. They are ready in about 30 minutes and will have them all satisfied!

Turn bits of leftover ham into new delicious meals with these fabulous recipes.  That ham hock wants to be used too. With these great ideas, you'll be wanting to make a ham just for the leftovers!

Please share

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies

Tuesday 21st of April 2020

They all look delicious, but the Cheesy Ham and Asparagus Frittata sounds like such a great spring dish to enjoy!

Carlee

Friday 24th of April 2020

It is so good and really easy! There is just a hint of mustard in it that really makes it pop!