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These 60 Recipes Have Us Getting Creative With The Leftover Ham This Year

Some might say the best part of a meal are the leftovers...

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monte cristo rolls with ham swiss dijon mustard and raspberry jam
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We're professionals at expecting the unexpected here at Delish, particularly when it comes to big dinner-centric holidays (ahem, Christmas and Easter). It's become one of our main party tricks! We’ve gotten used to extra guests and forgetting some ingredients, but there is something we never quite expect—just how much leftover food (namely, ham!) we end up with. 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 year, check out our 60 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. Have overnight guests after the big holiday meal? Combine leftover ham with eggs or potatoes and turn it into our crowd-pleasing ham & cheese quiche, Monte Cristo rolls, 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, ham & cheese pinwheels, or fried ham & cheese mozzarella sticks 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 chicken cordon bleu skillet, our chicken cordon bleu casserole, and our chicken cordon bleu quesadillas.

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

Hawaiian Roll Sliders

sliders stacked with sliced ham, swiss cheese, honey mustard, caramelized onions all between hawaiian rolls topped with a poppy seed dressing
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Hawaiian rolls are a guilty pleasure of ours: They're buttery, soft, and full of just-sweet-enough flavor. These sliders, layered with ham, Swiss, and caramelized onions, will quickly become a MUST at any party you throw.

Get the Hawaiian Roll Sliders recipe.

2

Quiche

ham and cheese quiche beside a plate with a slice of quiche and a salad bowl
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

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3

Fried Ham & Cheese Mozzarella Sticks

fried ham and cheese mozzarella sticks
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Fried mozzarella sticks are a superstar among appetizers , but we decided that they were due for a welcome upgrade that would make them worthy of not only your game days, but also your holiday dinners. The result: ham-wrapped mozzarella sticks coated in a layer of grated Parmesan and panko.

Get the Fried Ham & Cheese Mozzarella Sticks recipe.

4

Chopped Sandwich

black forest ham, genoa salami, hot soppressata, and provolone cheese, chopped with classic italian sandwich veggies and pesto mayo on a toasted ciabatta roll
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Imagine not having to unhinge your jaw like a snake to enjoy your favorite Italian deli hero. This chopped sandwich is here to turn that dream into a reality. Turns out, running a knife through your sandwich ingredients before piling them into a roll makes the whole ordeal of crushing a big hoagie a lot easier to manage.

Get the Chopped Sandwich recipe.

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5

Croque Monsieur Bites

ham and cheese bites in puff pastry
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We took the croque monsieur, a classic French sandwich made with toasty bread, melty cheese, salty ham, and a silky béchamel, and turned it into an appetizer that hits all the high notes: buttery, crispy, creamy, cheesy, salty, and a little nutty.

Get the Croque Monsieur Bites recipe.

6

Ham & Cheese Spinach Puffs

ham cheese spinach puffs
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

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 Ham & Cheese Spinach Puffs recipe.

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7

Monte Cristo Rolls

monte cristo rolls with ham swiss dijon mustard and raspberry jam
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We're huge fans of the combo of sweet and savory, so a Monte Cristo is basically our perfect sandwich. If you love the diner staple as much as we do, you’re going to love this twist. Best part? There's a secret ingredient hack that means they come together in less than an hour (!).

Get the Monte Cristo Rolls recipe.

8

Ham Salad

classic ham salad
Erik Bernstein

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.

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9

Sheet-Pan Italian Subs

sheet pan italian subs
Andrew bui

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.

10

Potato Croquettes

potato croquettes
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MARY RUPP

Potato croquettes are one of the most popular Spanish tapas, or small plates, and for good reason. They’re a fantastic way to give day-old mashed potatoes and leftover ham a new life and are the perfect bite-size appetizer for when you want something more exciting than potato chips that still hits those same comfort food notes.

Get the Potato Croquettes recipe.

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11

Ham Sandwich

ham sandwich
Parker feierbach

You're probably thinking, I don't need a ham sandwich recipe, but trust us, this sandwich is worth following one. Making your own herb mayo—by mixing in a few fresh herbs and some olive oil—makes this sandwich stand above the rest.

Get the Ham Sandwich recipe.

12

Ham & Cheese Brunch Bake

ham and cheese brunch casserole
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

This ham and cheese bake is one of our favorite breakfast casseroles to turn to. It’s got all your favorite breakfast components: a little egg, a little cured meat, bread, and cheese. It’s also a perfect way to use any leftover ham from dinner the night before (post-Easter brunch, anyone?).

Get the Ham & Cheese Brunch Bake recipe.

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13

Louisiana-Style Red Beans & Rice

a creole classic with tender, creamy red beans stewed in smoked ham and andouille sausage and flavored with holy trinity vegetables, then served over steamed rice
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

All Creole cuisine packs a flavor punch that keeps you coming back for seconds, but red beans and rice are in a league all their own. The red beans soak up the smoky, porky, spicy, and earthy flavors and release some starch to create a rich gravy that’s perfect for spooning over steamed white rice.

Get the Louisiana-Style Red Beans & Rice recipe.

14

Ham & Cheese Sandwich

ham and cheese sandwich
Park Feierbach

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 Ham & Cheese Sandwich recipe.

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15

Ham & Swiss Hasselback Biscuit Bites

ham and swiss hasselback biscuit bites on a tray
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Step aside, hasselback potatoes: Hasselback biscuit bites are coming to steal your thunder. Featuring convenient canned biscuits stuffed with ham and cheese, these flaky, buttery bites will delight party guests and tailgaters wherever they appear.

Get the Ham & Swiss Hasselback Biscuit Bites recipe.

16

Creamy Ham & Potato Soup

close up of creamy ham and potato soup
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: HADLEY SUI

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 & Potato Soup recipe.

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17

Cheesy Mashed Potato & Ham Bake

mashed potatoes layered with cheese and ham baked in a casserole dish
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Imagine a crispy mac & cheese topping on your rich mashed potatoes with an added ham layer (which is almost reminiscent of lasagna), and you've got this comfy casserole-style side dish. It's a dream for both the meat and carb connoisseurs at your table..

Get the Cheesy Mashed Potato & Ham Bake recipe.

18

Cloud Eggs

cloud eggs
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

We love a good baked egg recipe, but these "eggs in a cloud" were the Internet trend that changed our breakfast routine forever. They're adorable clouds of heaven topped with a runny yolk that are as fun to make as they are to eat.

Get the Cloud Eggs recipe.

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19

Antipasto Egg Rolls

antipasto egg rolls
Parker feierbach

Fun fact: To make these a little lighter, you can make this antipasto salad-inspired recipe in your air fryer. And you don't need any oil. (Though if you brush some on before cooking, your egg rolls will come out a little cracklier—up to you!).Get the Antipasto Egg Rolls recipe.

20

Scalloped Potatoes & Ham

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 Scalloped Potatoes & Ham recipe.

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