20 Easy Leftover Ham Recipes After Your Big Holiday Dinner — Breathe New Life into Ordinary Leftovers
Leftover ham can be a little overwhelming after a big holiday—Easter, Christmas, or any family gathering that centers on a baked or spiral ham. Instead of letting slices sit untouched or repeating the same sandwich day after day, try turning that ham into fresh, satisfying meals. With a little creativity, you can transform leftover ham into soups, casseroles, pasta, salads, breakfast skillets, and more. These ideas are designed to be simple, use common pantry staples, and make the most of your time so you can enjoy the holiday leftovers without spending hours in the kitchen.
Below you’ll find 20 dependable, family-friendly recipes that showcase leftover ham in new ways. You’ll see comfort foods like creamy potato soups and classic pot pies, fast weeknight meals like ham-and-pea pasta and ham fried rice, and lighter options such as chopped ham salads. Each idea is easy to adapt to the amount of ham you have and to your pantry tastes, helping you avoid waste while serving delicious, comforting dinners all week long.
Leftover Ham Recipes
20 easy leftover ham recipes to turn extra holiday meat into satisfying meals. Ideas include soups, casseroles, sandwiches, pasta, skillet dinners and salads suitable for busy weeknights or relaxed family meals.
Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders
Juicy ham and sliced cheese tucked into soft brioche or slider rolls, brushed with a buttery mustard-onion sauce and baked until melty. A fast, crowd-pleasing way to use extra ham.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup
A thick, creamy potato soup made easy in the slow cooker. Add diced ham for savory depth — ideal when you want a low-effort meal with big comfort.
Classic Ham & White Bean Soup
A hearty, protein-rich soup that pairs ham with tender white beans and vegetables. Great for using a ham bone or plenty of diced leftovers.
Ham, Cheese and Cranberry Rollups
Festive finger food: ham, cheese and a touch of cranberry sauce rolled into crescent dough or puff pastry and baked until golden. Perfect for appetizers or snacks.
Flaky & Buttery Ham Pot Pie
A creamy filling of ham and mixed vegetables topped with a flaky pastry crust — the same comfort as chicken pot pie but with rich, smoky ham flavor.
Ham and Potato Soup (Dairy-Free Option)
A classic, old-fashioned ham and potato soup made without milk for those who prefer a lighter, dairy-free broth while keeping the comforting taste of ham.
Easy Takeout-Style Fried Rice
Turn leftover ham and rice into a quick one-pot fried rice. Add frozen peas, scrambled egg, soy flavoring, and you have a simple weeknight winner.
Easy Ham & Potato Soup
Creamy and comforting, this soup can be made on the stove, in an instant pot, or a crockpot. Dice the ham and stir in potatoes for a filling, family-friendly meal.
Pasta with Ham and Peas
Quick and bright: toss cooked pasta with diced ham, sweet peas, a splash of cream or olive oil, and Parmesan for a simple supper the whole family will enjoy.
Split Pea Soup with Ham
Use the ham bone or diced ham to flavor split pea soup for a thick, traditional bowl of comfort. Let it simmer slowly for best texture and depth of flavor.
Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese with Ham
Make mac and cheese in the instant pot and stir in diced ham for a creamy, comforting casserole that’s ready in a fraction of the time.
Crockpot Ham and Cabbage
A hands-off stew of ham and cabbage simmered in a flavorful broth. Vegetables and ham combine into a comforting dish that’s easy to prepare for a crowd.
Jalapeño Ham Hash
A flavorful skillet hash with potatoes, ham, onions and jalapeños. Serve with an over-easy egg on top for a satisfying breakfast-for-dinner option.
Ham with Piccalilli and Cucumber Sandwich
A British-inspired sandwich that pairs thinly sliced ham with tangy piccalilli and crisp cucumber for a refreshing, savory bite.
Easy Potato Skillet Breakfast with Ham
Dice potatoes, leftover ham, and vegetables for a skillet breakfast that doubles as a hearty dinner. Add eggs if you like for extra protein.
Pasta alla Papalina
A creamy Roman-style pasta that pairs fettuccine with ham and peas in a silky sauce — simple, luxurious, and a great way to use diced ham.
Traditional Deviled Ham Salad
Mix chopped ham with hard-boiled eggs, mayo and seasonings for a quick ham salad. Serve on bread, crackers or over greens for a versatile lunch.
Hot Ham Salad Sandwiches
A warm, flavorful spread of ham and seasonings served on soft bread. Comforting and nostalgic, this is a classic way to enjoy leftover ham.
Schinkennudeln (German Ham & Egg Pasta)
Pan-fried noodles with ham and scrambled eggs for a quick, filling dinner inspired by German comfort food. Ready in under 30 minutes.
Hawaiian Chopped Ham Salad
A bright twist on classic ham salad with pineapple or sweet elements for contrast. Great chilled as a sandwich filling or served over mixed greens.