20 Creative and Tasty Leftover Ham Recipes to Try

There are a wide variety of leftover ham recipes you can make — for any meal.
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Ham may be a staple of many holiday spreads, but there's usually more than enough for just one meal.

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A pre-cooked, spiral-sliced ham, for example, often weighs around 5 pounds — the equivalent of about 15 to 20 servings, according to the USDA. So what should you do with all that leftover ham?

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Don't let them go to waste. Here are 20 simple leftover ham recipes to enjoy at any meal.

1. Grilled Ham and Cheese

Surprise your family with a childhood favorite while sneaking in some leftover ham and added protein.

This recipe uses just a couple slices of ham and takes under 20 minutes from fridge to table. You probably already have all eight ingredients: ham, bread, butter, cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, honey and an appetite.

‌Get the Grilled Ham and Cheese recipe and nutrition info from Tastes Better From Scratch.‌

2. Pasta With Ham and Peas

This pasta is a makeshift pasta alla carbonara with ingredients already in the fridge.

Transform yesterday's ham dinner into a completely different meal. With some peas, Parmesan and cream cheese, your leftover ham becomes an Italian treat. The ham and peas contribute to a satisfying 26 grams of protein per serving.

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‌Get the Pasta With Ham and Peas recipe and nutrition info from Real Food Whole Life.‌

3. Ham and Asparagus Crustless Quiche

Start the morning right with leftovers from last night.

This high-protein breakfast (from the ham, eggs and milk) also delivers a sizable portion of veggies with the added asparagus. The dish is also a good source of vitamin A and calcium.

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‌Get the Ham and Asparagus Crustless Quiche recipe and nutrition info from The Wholesome Dish.‌

4. Ham and Bean Soup

Disguise your leftover ham in a savory soup for the next few days.

Ham enhances the rich flavor of this hearty soup recipe, lending a smokiness to the beans and veggies. While it only takes 10 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to simmer, this soup can last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days and 3 months in the freezer.

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‌Get the Ham and Bean Soup recipe and nutrition info from Little Sunny Kitchen.‌

5. Ham Salad

Mix up this recipe right after dinner for a quick lunch tomorrow.

All you need is 10 minutes to chop up some leftover ham and mix it in with celery, pickles and a few sauces. This dish actually does better in the fridge for a few hours, which makes for a convenient leftover lunch.

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‌Get the Ham Salad recipe and nutrition info from Salt and Lavender.‌

6. Ham and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Mix up your leftover ham into a crowd favorite.

These stuffed shells are filled with cheesy goodness that includes vegetables and protein in every bite — 11 grams per serving! The recipe calls for a homemade sauce with crushed tomatoes, onions and garlic, while the shells are filled with ham, spinach and cheese.

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‌Get the Ham and Spinach Stuffed Shells recipe and nutrition info from Cupcakes and Kale Chips.

7. Ham and Potato Pot Pie

While pot pie tastes like a comfort food, it still provides nutritional value.

Get a taste of Thanksgiving anytime with this pot pie recipe that's filled with ham, scalloped potatoes, cheddar cheese and peas. Each serving contains a good amount of vitamin A and calcium.

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Get the Ham and Potato Pot Pie recipe and nutrition info from Chelsea's Messy Apron.

8. Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

This warm dish can serve as a side or a main.

Cheesy and filling, this tasty dish can accompany an entrée or be the main attraction. The star ingredients are potatoes, cheddar cheese, parsley and ham. The rest of the recipe is made with items most likely already in your kitchen.

Get the Scalloped Potatoes and Ham recipe and nutrition info from Dinner at the Zoo.

9. Cheesy Egg, Avocado and Ham Breakfast Sandwiches

Use up last night's dinner right away with this leftover ham recipe for breakfast.

Finish your leftovers the next morning with this satisfying breakfast sandwich. Grab an English muffin and the breakfast basics for a ready-to-eat sammy in 15 minutes.

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Get the Cheesy Egg, Avocado and Ham Breakfast Sandwiches recipe and nutrition info from Tastes Better From Scratch.

10. Chef Salad

You can use this salad recipe with whatever veggies you have in your fridge.

If you're looking for a quick lunch or a side for tomorrow's dinner, this recipe incorporates the smokiness of the ham with a tangy homemade dressing made with mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, mayonnaise and a handful of spices. After adding 8 ounces of cubed ham, some bacon, cheddar cheese and veggies, you have the easiest leftover ham recipe.

Get the Chef Salad recipe and nutrition info from Little Sunny Kitchen.

11. Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe

Use up your leftover ham and veggies you might have too much of.

This mac salad calls for specific veggies, but you can really add anything you have handy. Some optional ingredients in the recipe include hard-boiled eggs, peas, tomatoes or anything else you find yummy.

Get the Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe and nutrition info from Salt and Lavender.

12. Ham and Potato Soup

A big batch of leftover ham soup can last for the next few days.

Simmering already-cooked ham in broth deepens the flavor of this tasty soup, which makes six servings and can last 2 to 3 days in the fridge.

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Get the Ham and Potato Soup recipe and nutrition info from The Recipe Rebel.

13. Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

This handheld sliced ham recipe makes for an easy appetizer or a fun lunch for little ones.

A creative twist on a ham and cheese sandwich, these pinwheels are made with peppers, bacon and ranch seasoning for a kick. Enjoy them as finger food if you're entertaining or pair them with veggies, fruit, salad or soup for a more filling meal.

Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe and nutrition info from Chelsea's Messy Apron.

14. Ham Asparagus Rolls

Get protein and veggies in one bite with this appetizer.

Wrap a couple of asparagus spears in a slice of ham and top with a homemade cheese sauce for a tasty side dish or appetizer at a dinner party that's ready in 25 minutes.

Get the Ham Asparagus Rolls recipe and nutrition info from Tastes Better From Scratch.

15. Instant Pot Creamy Ham and Wild Rice Soup

This easy ham recipe makes 10 servings to feed a group or freeze.

You can't go wrong with this rich soup, which can be made dairy- and gluten-free. The creaminess comes from coconut milk and blended potatoes. And preparing it in the Instant Pot means easier clean up!

Get the Instant Pot Creamy Ham and Wild Rice Soup recipe and nutrition info from My Hearty Beets.

16. Cuban Sandwich Recipe

Pair ham with pickles, mustard and pork tenderloin for a tasty take on a traditional Cuban.

The most time-consuming step of this recipe is marinating the pork tenderloin. but with a little advance planning, you can marinate it while you're eating your first ham dinner and put the sandwiches together with the leftovers after (and thank us later).

Get the Cuban Sandwich Recipe and nutrition info from Dinner at the Zoo.

17. Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole

Add more fiber to this easy ham recipe by tossing in any extra veggies you have on hand.

You can make this simple casserole recipe ahead and delight family and friends with the tender potatoes and creamy cheese and sauce. You can experiment with adding cooked peppers, broccoli, spinach or other produce, too.

Get the Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole recipe and nutrition info from The Recipe Rebel.

18. Ham and Egg Cups

You can enjoy these breakfast cups for 3 to 4 days after cooking.

A serving of two bite-sized cups delivers 19 grams of protein and minimal carbs. Try switching up the tomato topping for other produce, like bell peppers or jalapeños.

Get the Ham and Egg Cups recipe and nutrition info from Dinner at the Zoo.

19. Ham and Cheese Sliders

Feed a group with this sliced ham recipe.

This slider recipe calls for 3/4 of a pound of cooked ham, which can make a dent in your leftovers. The result: 12 savory sliders to serve as finger food or as a laid-back lunch.

Get the Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe and nutrition info from Chelsea's Messy Apron.

20. Broccoli, Ham and Cheese Egg Muffins

One of these ham and egg muffins delivers 9 grams of protein.

These tasty bites can be made the night before for a quick grab-and-go for tomorrow morning with protein, calcium, iron and vitamins A and C.

Get the Broccoli, Ham and Cheese Egg Muffins recipe and nutrition info from Cupcakes and Kale Chips.

Common Questions

How long is leftover ham good in the fridge for?

Spiral ham and leftover ham last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Depending on the ham, it can sometimes last in the fridge for 7 days, according to the USDA.

How long is leftover ham good in the freezer for?

Technically, frozen ham remains "safe" indefinitely, according to the USDA. However, the longer it sits in the freezer, the less enjoyable it may be to eat, so it's best to freeze ham for 1 to 2 months.

What can I make with already-cooked ham?

Based on the recipes above, you can really make almost anything (as long as you're willing to get creative), including soups, pasta dishes, salads, sandwiches and breakfast.

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