Leftover Ham Recipes: 15 Cozy Suppers Grandma Made So One Holiday Ham Fed Us All Week

Leftover ham recipes were how Grandma’s generation turned one holiday ham into a full week of suppers. The big ham got carved on Christmas Day, the rest was wrapped tight, and supper was taken care of until New Year’s: casserole one night, creamy soup the next, crispy croquettes with the very last bits. Ham is cured pork, as the history of ham explains, which is why it keeps well in the fridge for several days and freezes for months. This list runs from cheesy casseroles and skillet suppers to sandwiches, soup and make-ahead breakfasts. Each recipe has a short shopping list and simple steps. Dice that ham, fill your freezer bags, and let’s make it stretch..

Leftover Ham Recipes: Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole

Thin potato slices, chunks of holiday ham and a creamy cheddar sauce bake into the kind of casserole that makes the entire house smell wonderful. Slice the potatoes evenly so they cook at the same time, and keep the dish covered with foil for the first half of baking so the layers turn tender before the cheese browns. Of all the leftover ham recipes here, this is the one to feed a big family on a cold night, and it sits proudly beside vintage Christmas dinner dishes. Who gets the crispy corner..

You will need: 3 lb russet potatoes thinly sliced, 3 cups diced cooked ham, 1 onion diced, 4 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup flour, 3 cups milk, 2 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 375 F and grease a 9×13 inch dish. 2. Melt butter, cook onion 3 minutes, whisk in flour, then milk, and simmer until thick. 3. Stir in 2 cups cheese, salt, and pepper. 4. Layer potatoes, ham, and sauce. 5. Cover and bake 50 minutes, then uncover, top with remaining cheese, and bake 20 minutes more.

Golden Monte Cristo Sandwiches

The Monte Cristo is a diner legend: ham and Swiss layered between bread, dipped in egg, and griddled until golden like French toast. A dusting of powdered sugar and a little raspberry jam on the side make it sweet and savory at once. It is a fun brunch the day after Christmas and one of the most indulgent leftover ham recipes. Cook over medium heat so the cheese melts before the bread browns too much. It belongs on any list of famous sandwiches. Jam or syrup on yours?

You will need: 8 slices white sandwich bread, 8 slices cooked ham, 8 slices Swiss cheese, 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 2 tbsp butter, powdered sugar, raspberry jam for serving

How to make it: 1. Layer ham and Swiss between bread slices to make 4 sandwiches. 2. Whisk eggs and milk in a shallow dish. 3. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. 4. Dip each sandwich in the egg mixture and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and the cheese melts. 5. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with jam.

Leftover Ham Recipes: Ham and Noodle Casserole

This creamy, cheesy casserole is the classic first move when the holiday ham comes out of the fridge. Egg noodles, diced ham, peas and a simple cheddar sauce bake under a buttery cracker topping until golden and bubbly. It is the most old-fashioned of all leftover ham recipes, pure comfort that feeds a crowd for very little. Undercook the noodles slightly so they stay tender, not mushy, after baking. Still planning the big dinner first? Start with our holiday ham recipes for the main event.

You will need: 12 oz wide egg noodles, 3 cups diced cooked ham, 1 cup frozen peas, 4 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup flour, 3 cups milk, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 cup crushed butter crackers, 2 tbsp melted butter

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350 F and cook noodles 2 minutes less than package time. 2. Melt butter, whisk in flour, then milk, and simmer until thick. 3. Stir in cheese and pepper until smooth. 4. Fold in noodles, ham, and peas and spread in a 9×13 inch dish. 5. Top with crackers tossed in melted butter and bake 25 to 30 minutes.

Ham Fried Rice in 15 Minutes

Cold rice and leftover ham make the fastest supper of the week. Diced ham sizzles in a hot skillet with peas, carrots, scrambled eggs, and green onions, then everything gets tossed with soy sauce. It is ready in 15 minutes and beats takeout every time. Day-old rice is the key, because fresh rice turns mushy. Get the pan very hot for those crispy, toasty bits. Among quick leftover ham recipes, this is the speediest. Love takeout nights? Try our Chinese noodle dishes too.

You will need: 4 cups cold cooked rice, 2 cups diced cooked ham, 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, 3 large eggs beaten, 4 green onions sliced, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp oil

How to make it: 1. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat and brown ham 3 minutes. 2. Add peas and carrots and cook 2 minutes. 3. Push aside and scramble the eggs. 4. Add rice and stir fry 4 minutes. 5. Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions.

Leftover Ham Recipes: Cheesy Ham and Hash Brown Bake

Crispy, cheesy, and creamy all at once, this hash brown bake works for breakfast, brunch, or a lazy supper. Frozen shredded hash browns, diced ham, sour cream, and cheddar get stirred together and baked until golden on top. It is the definition of easy comfort food. Thaw the hash browns and pat them dry so the bake is not watery. A sprinkle of chives makes it look pretty. On busy mornings, rotate it with our make-ahead breakfast burritos.

You will need: 30 oz frozen shredded hash browns thawed, 2 cups diced cooked ham, 2 cups sour cream, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 1/2 cup butter melted, 1/2 onion diced, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, chopped chives

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350 F and grease a 9×13 inch dish. 2. Mix hash browns, ham, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups cheese, butter, onion, salt, and pepper. 3. Spread in the dish. 4. Top with remaining cheese. 5. Bake 45 to 50 minutes until golden and bubbly, then sprinkle with chives.

Baked Ham and Cheese Party Sandwiches

Soft rolls stuffed with ham and Swiss, brushed with a buttery mustard and poppy seed glaze and baked until golden, are a game day and New Year’s Eve favorite. Bake them as one slab in a big pan, then cut into squares so guests can grab one with a napkin. A few slices of leftover ham feed twelve people this way. Assemble ahead and refrigerate, then bake when hungry people arrive, covered with foil first so the cheese melts before the tops brown. Set them next to pigs in a blanket twists and watch both trays empty.

You will need: 12 soft slider rolls, 3/4 lb sliced cooked ham, 8 slices Swiss cheese, 1/2 cup butter melted, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp poppy seeds, 1 tbsp minced onion

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. Slice rolls in half as one slab and place bottoms in a 9×13 inch dish. 3. Layer ham and Swiss and add the tops. 4. Whisk butter, mustard, Worcestershire, poppy seeds, and onion and pour over. 5. Bake covered 20 minutes, then uncovered 5 to 10 minutes, and cut into squares.

Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta

This silky pasta comes together in the time it takes to boil the noodles. Diced ham and sweet peas get tossed with a light garlic cream sauce and plenty of parmesan, and it tastes like something from a little Italian cafe while costing very little. Add the peas right at the end so they stay bright green, and save some pasta water to loosen the sauce. Leftover ham recipes rarely feel this fancy. For a Sunday project, try Italian baked pasta next. Penne or bow ties at your table?

You will need: 1 lb penne or bow tie pasta, 2 cups diced cooked ham, 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, 2 tbsp butter, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup grated parmesan, black pepper

How to make it: 1. Cook pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta water, adding peas for the last 2 minutes. 2. Melt butter in a skillet and brown ham 3 minutes. 3. Add garlic for 1 minute, then cream, and simmer 3 minutes. 4. Toss in pasta, peas, and parmesan. 5. Loosen with pasta water and season with pepper.

Leftover Ham Recipes: Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

A pot of this creamy soup is the coziest way to use up the last of the holiday ham. Potatoes, onion, celery and carrots simmer in broth, then get thickened with milk and finished with cheddar. Mash some of the potatoes right in the pot for a thick, velvety texture without heavy cream, then stir in the ham. It reheats well and freezes for busy weeks. Have spuds left over too? Our leftover mashed potato recipes can thicken a pot like this in minutes. Crusty bread or crackers on the side?

You will need: 2 lb potatoes peeled and diced, 2 cups diced cooked ham, 1 onion diced, 2 celery stalks diced, 2 carrots diced, 3 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp flour, 4 cups chicken broth, 2 cups milk, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar

How to make it: 1. Melt butter in a large pot and cook onion, celery, and carrots 6 minutes. 2. Stir in flour for 1 minute, then add broth and potatoes. 3. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes until potatoes are tender. 4. Mash some potatoes against the pot and stir in milk and ham. 5. Heat through and stir in cheese until melted.

Overnight Ham and Swiss Breakfast Strata

A strata is like a savory bread pudding, and it is the perfect brunch for the morning after a holiday. Cubes of day-old bread, ham, Swiss cheese, and green onion soak overnight in a mustard-spiked egg custard, then bake puffy and golden. Assemble it the night before and slide it into the oven in the morning. Bake until a knife in the center comes out clean. It is one of the easiest leftover ham recipes for guests. Planning the holiday morning? Browse our Christmas breakfast casseroles.

You will need: 8 cups cubed day-old bread, 2 cups diced cooked ham, 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, 4 green onions sliced, 8 large eggs, 2 1/2 cups milk, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper

How to make it: 1. Grease a 9×13 inch dish and layer bread, ham, cheese, and green onions. 2. Whisk eggs, milk, Dijon, salt, and pepper. 3. Pour over the bread and press down gently. 4. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 5. Bake at 350 F for 50 to 60 minutes until puffed and set.

Leftover Ham Recipes: Crispy Ham Croquettes

Golden outside and creamy inside, ham croquettes are a beloved snack in Spain and Cuba. Finely chopped ham is folded into a thick, creamy white sauce, chilled until firm, shaped, breaded, and fried. They are the best leftover ham recipes for using the very last scraps. Chill the mixture for several hours so it is easy to shape. Fry in oil at 350 F, a few at a time, and keep the kids away from the hot pot. Serve them with our Spanish tapas small plates for a party table.

You will need: 4 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup flour, 2 cups milk, 2 cups finely chopped cooked ham, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 2 large eggs beaten, 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs, oil for frying

How to make it: 1. Melt butter, whisk in flour, then milk, and cook until very thick. 2. Stir in ham and nutmeg, spread on a plate, and chill 4 hours or overnight. 3. Shape into small logs. 4. Dip in egg, then breadcrumbs. 5. Fry in 350 F oil 2 to 3 minutes until golden and drain on paper towels.

Ham and Broccoli Rice Bake

This one-dish dinner gets a vegetable on the table without any fuss. Rice, diced ham, and broccoli bake together in a creamy cheddar sauce until bubbly. Among leftover ham recipes, it is just the thing on a busy weeknight after the holidays. Use leftover cooked rice to save time, and chop the broccoli small so it cooks through. Broccoli is linked to plenty of fiber, a bonus after a season of sweets. Like stretching a dollar? See our thrifty canned corned beef suppers.

You will need: 3 cups cooked rice, 2 cups diced cooked ham, 3 cups small broccoli florets, 3 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp flour, 2 cups milk, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 1/2 tsp garlic powder

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350 F and grease a 2 1/2 quart dish. 2. Melt butter, whisk in flour, then milk, and simmer until thick. 3. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and garlic powder. 4. Fold in rice, ham, and broccoli and spread in the dish. 5. Top with remaining cheese and bake 30 minutes until bubbly.

Ham and Cheese Crepes

These elegant crepes make leftovers feel like brunch at a fancy hotel. Thin, tender crepes get folded around ham and Swiss cheese, plus a couple of asparagus spears if you have them, then warmed until the cheese melts. The crepes can be made a day ahead and stacked between wax paper. They look impressive but are easy once you get the hang of swirling the pan. New to the pan swirl? Practice with our paper-thin French crepes first. Sweet or savory crepes at your house?

You will need: 1 cup flour, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 large eggs, 2 tbsp melted butter, pinch of salt, 12 slices cooked ham, 24 asparagus spears blanched (optional), 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, 1 cup prepared white sauce or cheese sauce

How to make it: 1. Blend flour, milk, eggs, butter, and salt and rest 15 minutes. 2. Cook thin crepes in a buttered skillet about 1 minute per side. 3. Top each crepe with ham, 2 asparagus spears if using, and Swiss and roll up. 4. Place in a baking dish and spoon sauce over. 5. Bake at 375 F for 15 to 20 minutes.

Leftover Ham Recipes: Ham Pot Pie With Biscuit Top

This cozy pot pie swaps chicken for ham and tops it with fluffy biscuits instead of fussy pastry. Diced ham, potatoes, carrots, peas, and onion simmer in a creamy gravy, then biscuits go on top and bake until golden. It is a full supper in one dish. Make sure the filling is bubbling hot before adding the biscuits so the bottoms cook through. This is one of the heartiest leftover ham recipes for a snowy night. Craving more one-pan comfort? Try our chicken and potato dinners.

You will need: 3 cups diced cooked ham, 2 cups diced potatoes, 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 onion diced, 4 tbsp butter, 1/3 cup flour, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup milk, 8 large refrigerated biscuits

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 375 F. 2. Melt butter in a large oven-safe skillet and cook onion, carrots, and potatoes 8 minutes. 3. Stir in flour, then broth and milk, and simmer until thick and the vegetables are tender. 4. Stir in ham and peas until bubbling. 5. Top with biscuits and bake 18 to 22 minutes until golden.

Country Ham and Cheddar Biscuits

Tall, flaky buttermilk biscuits split warm and stuffed with thin slices of ham are a Southern breakfast that never goes out of style. Add a slice of sharp cheddar and a smear of mustard butter, then tuck them back in the oven for two minutes so the cheese softens. Bake a double batch and freeze the extras for busy mornings. Keep the butter and buttermilk very cold for the tallest biscuits, and do not twist the cutter. These are the most portable leftover ham recipes of all. Round out the spread with our easy holiday breakfast bites.

You will need: 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup cold butter cubed, 1 cup cold buttermilk, 12 thin slices cooked ham, 6 slices sharp cheddar halved, 2 tbsp butter softened, 1 tsp Dijon mustard

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 425 F and line a sheet pan. 2. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, cut in butter, then stir in buttermilk just until combined. 3. Pat 3/4 inch thick, cut rounds and bake 12 to 15 minutes. 4. Split warm biscuits and spread with butter mixed with mustard. 5. Fill with ham and cheddar and warm 2 minutes until the cheese softens.

Leftover Ham Recipes: Ham and Egg Breakfast Cups

These little cups are as cute as they are easy. Thin slices of ham line a muffin tin to form cups, then get filled with cheese and an egg and baked until set. They are high in protein, ready in 20 minutes, and kids love them. Bake until the egg whites are fully set. Make a dozen on Sunday and reheat them for quick weekday breakfasts. For brunch guests, add our make-ahead quiche.

You will need: 12 thin slices cooked ham, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, 12 large eggs, salt and pepper, chopped chives

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 375 F and grease a 12 cup muffin tin. 2. Press a ham slice into each cup. 3. Add a little cheese to each. 4. Add one egg to each cup and season with salt and pepper. 5. Bake 15 to 18 minutes until whites are set, then top with chives.