Ham may be a staple of many holiday spreads, but there’s usually more than enough for just one meal.
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?
1. Grilled Ham and Cheese
Surprise your family with a childhood favorite while sneaking in some leftover ham and added protein.
Image Credit: Tastes Better From Scratch
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.
Image Credit: Real Food Whole Life
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.
3. Ham and Asparagus Crustless Quiche
Start the morning right with leftovers from last night.
Image Credit: The Wholesome Dish
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.
Image Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen
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.
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.
Image Credit: Salt and Lavender
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.
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.
Image Credit: Cupcakes and Kale Chips
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.
Image Credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron
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.
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.
Image Credit: Dinner at the Zoo
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.
Image Credit: Tastes Better From Scratch
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.
Image Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen
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.
Image Credit: Salt and Lavender
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.
Image Credit: The Recipe Rebel
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.
Image Credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron
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.
Image Credit: Tastes Better From Scratch
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.
Image Credit: Dinner at the Zoo
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
