Every year, we always try to expect the unexpected, particularly when it comes to big dinner-centric holidays (ahem, Thanksgiving). We’ve gotten used to extra guests and forgetting some ingredients. What we never quite expect? Just how much leftover food (namely, ham!) we end up with, so we’ve gotten creative with giving them a serious glow-up into plenty of casseroles, sandwiches, soups, and more. If you can relate and are feeling overwhelmed with extra ham this holiday season, check out our 50 favorite recipes that’ll give your leftovers new life.
Many of these recipes call for deli sliced ham, which you can easily swap for whatever leftovers you have. Slice it as thinly as you can, then enjoy the added texture and flavor you'll never get from the deli. It can start the very next morning after your holiday dinner. Have overnight guests after the big holiday meal? Combine leftover ham with eggs or potatoes and turn it into our crowd-pleasing or Croque Monsieur breakfast casserole that are sure to make everyone happy. For lunch, you can make all the variations on classic ham sandwiches, of course—top it with a fried egg and you’ve got a delicious Croque Madame that can be enjoyed for any meal.
Having another get-together soon after a holiday? Make things easy on yourself by throwing together some Hawaiian roll sliders or ham and cheese pinwheels for easy, tasty party appetizers. For dinner, our chicken cordon bleu is impressive and surprisingly simple (we skip the frying and oven bake instead). Want even easier? It’s all about the cordon bleu sauce, and we make the most of it in our one-pot chicken cordon bleu skillet and our chicken cordon bleu casserole.
Whatever you do, don’t forget to save that ham bone! It’s the secret to an out-of-this-world split pea soup (that, and bacon!).
Want more leftover inspiration? Check out our are our top go-to ways to make leftovers more exciting. And since you’re using leftovers for your main meal, why not go “ham” on dessert?!
1
Scalloped Potatoes & Ham
Cheesy scalloped potatoes meet salty baked ham for a perfect match. It takes the classic side and makes it a heartier dish that's perfect for a post-holiday brunch.
Get the .
2
Ham & Cheese Sandwich
This ham sandwich is great for many reasons. It's got a beautiful golden crust (thanks mayo!), a quick and simple honey mustard sauce, and briny pickles for crunch. Make it with leftover spiral ham, and you've got yourself a prize-winning lunch.
Get the .
3
Ham & Cheese Spinach Puffs
Thought your holiday brunch plans were set? Think again. Stuffed with ham, spinach, and Gruyère, these cheesy pastries are calling your name. These puffs are most delicious fresh out of the oven, but if you want to work ahead, you can even make the filling and even cut out the pastry squares the day before.
Get the .
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Quiche
Quiche is a favorite in the canon of classic dishes, and this version is no exception. Soft, creamy filling studded with ham, chives, and Gruyère rests inside a crunchy, buttery pie crust to create the easiest dinner of your dreams.
Get the Quiche recipe.
5
Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
After scrolling through all of our amazing Instant Pot recipes, we know what your answer will be. But one of its absolute best uses is for soups. Soups, especially something like split pea, often improve with a a couple of hours of simmering and flavor melding. An Instant Pot can do it in a fraction of the time, meaning this will be ready in (nearly) a blink.
Get the Instant Pot Split Pea Soup recipe.
6
Ham Salad
Looking for a way to use up that leftover spiral ham? Look no further! This super-easy ham salad is as delicious between bread for lunch as it is on crackers as an appetizer.
Get the Ham Salad recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Classic Chef Salad
The chef salad has three kinds of meat, two cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, and lots of veggies. 😍 Switch up the ingredients however you want—chef's choice!
Get the Classic Chef Salad recipe.
8
Croque Monsieur Breakfast Casserole
A croque monsieur is a delectable French sandwich with ham and Gruyére, with a silky béchamel sauce poured over top. Turning it into a breakfast casserole makes it easier to put together and share with a crowd. Yum!
Get the Croque Monsieur Breakfast Casserole recipe.
9
Creamy Ham and Potato Soup
If you’re a fan of potato soup, you’re going to love this upgrade— loaded with chunks of tender potatoes, salty-sweet ham, and tender vegetables, this creamy soup is the comfort food you know and love, with a little something extra.
Get the Creamy Ham and Potato Soup recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Ham & Cheese Pinwheels
These pinwheels are made easy using store-bought crescent roll dough. They're chock-full of melty cheese and savory-sweet ham, then topped with fresh parsley and toasty poppy seeds for texture and flavor you and your guests will love.
Get the .
11
Sheet-Pan Italian Subs
Need to feed a hungry crew, fast? Nothing better than these packed Italian subs—they're assembled and baked on a sheet pan so everyone can eat all at the same time.
Get the Sheet-Pan Italian Subs recipe.
12
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
All the flavors you love in chicken cordon bleu are here in this cozy casserole. There's ham, Swiss cheese, a hint of Dijon, and, of course, chicken, without any of the fussy stuffing, dredging, and searing of the original. 😍
Get the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Muffuletta
The muffuletta was first served at Central Grocery, an Italian deli in Louisiana founded by Sicilian immigrant Salvatore Lupo in 1906. Sicilian farmers would stop by Lupo’s deli in between shifts at the French Market and juggle plates for lunch. To make it easier to eat, Lupo decided to slap all the ingredients between two pieces of bread, and the muffuletta was born. TMYK! In similar fashion, feel free to do like Lupo and swap some ham in there instead of one of the other traditional meats.
Get the Muffuletta recipe.
14
Antipasto Stuffed Chicken
There's nothing better than good antipasto. Our only qualm with the meat and cheese spread is that it's never a truly satisfying dinner on its own (thought we desperately want it to be!). But by way of antipasto grilled cheese and, now, this stuffed chicken, we've figured it out.
Get the Antipasto Stuffed Chicken recipe.
15
Ham & Cheese Egg Cups
We sprinkle the ham here with a little shredded cheddar, but feel free to swap in your favorite type of cheese. Gruyère, Parmesan, or pepper Jack will all work well. You can also sprinkle the tops with different herbs like cilantro or sliced green onions. Make these your own!
Get the .
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
Buckwheat Galettes With Ham & Egg
Like their sweet cousins, crêpes, galettes hail from Brittany, France. Because they're made with buckwheat flour, galettes are extra nutty, making them perfect for pairing with savory fillings for a quick dinner this fall. Here, they're filled with a classic ham, egg, and cheese combination, known as "galette complète" in French, but feel free to switch it up if you like.
Get the .
17
Antipasto Squares
Your favorite flavor combo, now in a more shareable format. Turns out an antipasto salad like this gets even better when you layer it between crescent sheets. We aren't mad about that at all.
Get the Antipasto Squares recipe.
18
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Once the chicken here is layered with cheese and ham and then rolled, it's kind of large. Frying it seemed like too much, so we baked it instead (you're welcome). It bakes into a beautiful, golden, and crispy piece of meat that's perfectly swirled on the inside. It's mesmerizing!
Get the Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
Ham, Egg, & Cheese Breakfast Pizza
If you're short on time and craving breakfast for dinner (wait, isn't that every night?), this super-simple pizza has your name all over it. You can really use any cheese you have, but don't forget those mouthwatering eggs on top!
Get the .
20
Croque Madame
This sandwich stars layers of sliced ham, soft, melty cheese, and an audible crunch as you bite down on the toasted bread. Hidden in plain sight is a traditional Mornay sauce: a béchamel sauce that's been upgraded with melted Gruyère. We're in love!
Get the Croque Madame recipe.
