15 Leftover Ham Recipes

I think the best leftovers are the ones that help make the next few meals a little easier. So if you’ve got ham left from Easter or another holiday, these 15 leftover ham recipes make it easy to save money, cut down on waste, and get a few filling meals out of what’s already in the fridge! This list includes hearty soups, creamy casseroles, easy breakfast recipes, and simple sides, so you’ve got plenty of ways to keep those leftovers interesting.

Pin this recipe for later!

All recipes are rigorously tested in our Nashville Test Kitchen to ensure they are easy, affordable, and delicious.

Soups and Stews

Soups and stews are always an easy catch-all for using up leftovers, especially when you want something filling and budget-friendly. These recipes show how a little ham can go a long way once you add pantry staples, beans, potatoes, or a few extra veggies!

1. Ham and Bean Soup Chunky Ham and Bean Soup

This incredibly easy and deliciously chunky Ham and Bean Soup features a medley of colorful vegetables, browned ham, and plenty of hearty white beans.

$6.70 recipe / $1.68 serving

Our chunky ham and bean soup turns leftover ham into a hearty dinner in under an hour, and I love that one puréed can of beans thickens the broth without needing any cream.

2. Ham and Potato Soup Ham and Potato Soup

This ham and potato soup is creamy but not too heavy and loaded with fresh veggies and salty ham. It's perfect for the seasonal transition!

$11.25 recipe / $1.40 serving

My ham and potato soup makes leftover ham go further by pairing it with potatoes, fresh veggies, and a rich, creamy broth! Every spoonful is warm, velvety, and extra comforting.

3. Navy Bean Soup Navy Bean Soup

This Navy Bean Soup with ham is hearty, cozy, super flavorful, and perfect on a chilly day. Easy to make and absolutely delicious!

$8.32 recipe / $1.38 serving

This navy bean soup uses a ham hock in the original recipe, but I think any leftover smoked ham will work great here! It’ll still give you plenty of savory flavor and a hearty pot of soup without buying another cut of meat.

4. Split-Pea Soup with Ham Split Pea Soup This cozy Split Pea Soup will fill you up and warm you through on those cold winter days. Super satisfying and oh so delicious! $9.51 recipe / $1.58 serving

This split pea soup is a thick, veggie-packed pot of comfort that makes enough to feed 6! I promise you’ll love this one, especially if you’re looking for a leftover ham recipe you can freeze for later.

5. Ham and Lentil Soup Ham and Lentil Soup

This Ham and Lentil Soup recipe is a hearty dinner made with simple ingredients, brown lentils, veggies, and diced ham in a flavorful broth!

$7.76 recipe / $1.29 serving

Our ham and lentil soup turns leftover ham into a hearty dinner with brown lentils, simple vegetables, and a flavorful broth that tastes like it simmered all day!

Creamy Casseroles!

My family loves a good casserole, and these are some of the best recipes to make with leftover ham. They are easy to make AND will fill your belly without costing much at all.

6. Ham and Potato Casserole Ham and Potato Casserole Recipe

This Ham and Potato Casserole is insanely delicious and absolutely perfect when you want something a little extra special for breakfast or brunch!

$8.46 recipe / $1.41 serving

Our ham and potato casserole combines Yukon Gold potatoes, cheddar cheese, garlic, and browned ham in a creamy homemade sauce, and it comes out bubbly and golden in about 50 minutes. The crispy edges and creamy center make this one especially hard to resist!

7. Ham Tetrazzini Ham Tetrazzini

This Ham Tetrazzini recipe is a cozy way to use up leftover ham with spaghetti, mushrooms, peas, and a creamy homemade sauce. Cheap and delicious!

$7.65 recipe / $1.28 serving

I’m telling you now, make this ham tetrazzini and watch it disappear FAST! This casserole is made with a creamy from-scratch sauce, spaghetti, mushrooms, peas, and savory ham for a comforting dinner that puts those leftovers to really good use. It’s also one of the cheapest meals in this list, which makes it even easier to love!

Pair With Peas and Greens

I make it my mission to get something green onto my family’s plates at each meal, and these recipes make it almost too easy! With peas, greens, and a little leftover ham, these recipes come together into something so very satisfying.

8. Pasta with Peas and Ham Pasta with Peas and Ham

This recipe for pasta with peas and ham is a super fast and easy meal that will keep you full and satisfied on busy days!

$5.68 recipe / $1.42 serving

I already know you’ll love how easy this pasta with peas and ham comes together for a quick weeknight dinner. It’s a simple one-pot pasta with ham, peas, and a light creamy sauce that’s ready in about 25 minutes and does a great job of turning a small amount of leftover ham into a full meal.

9. Pea Salad with Ham Pea Salad

Super simple and inexpensive, this creamy pea salad is the perfect side dish for your next family get-together.

$9.54 recipe / $0.95 serving

My pea salad is made with budget-friendly sweet peas, ham, cheddar, and a creamy dressing, and is a great way to use up leftovers when you don’t feel like cooking another big meal.

10. Collard Greens Collard Greens

Collard Greens are an easy and delicious side dish that is a great way to use up leftover ham bones or a smoked ham hock.

$5.92 recipe / $0.99 serving

Collard greens are a solid side dish to round out just about any dinner. The ham adds a rich & savory flavor as the greens simmer low and slow until tender!

Fulfilling Breakfast Recipes

If dinner is already handled, then breakfast might be the next best place to use up leftover ham. These recipes are warm, hearty, and made with simple ingredients that go a long way.

11. Breakfast Burritos Freezer Friendly Breakfast Burritos

Make ahead breakfast burritos are an easy reheatable and portable breakfast meal prep idea. Including options for vegetarian or other add-ins! BudgetBytes.com

$11.29 recipe / $1.41 each

These freezer breakfast burritos are a practical way to turn leftover ham into breakfast for days. I love that you can fill the freezer with them, then reheat one whenever mornings get hectic!

12. Ham Quesadillas Hawaiian Ham Quesadillas

Hawaiian ham quesadillas with a creamy cheesy filling, ham, pineapple, and green onions.

$9.36 recipe / $1.04 each

I know pineapple on pizza is a hot debate, but what about pineapple IN a quesadilla?! These Hawaiian ham quesadillas are quick, cheesy, and a fun change for breakfast, with ham, pineapple, cream cheese, and mozzarella in every melty bite.

13. Ham and Potato Frittata Ham & Potato Frittata

Potatoes, eggs, and ham, this frittata is all of your breakfast favorites in one dish. Filling and flavorful on a dime. 

$5.79 recipe / $0.72 serving

My family loves this ham & potato frittata for breakfast, but I think it works just as well for an easy breakfast-for-dinner situation too. It’s ready in about 40 minutes and uses very simple budget ingredients (including cooked ham!)

More Recipes for Leftover Ham

These leftover ham recipes can work as appetizers, snacks, breakfast, or even lunchbox fillers, and each is a delicious way to use up those leftovers!

14. Ham and Cheese Sliders Ham and Cheese Sliders

These easy Ham and Cheese Sliders are a must-have for parties! They’re buttery, sweet, salty, gooey, and insanely delicious!

$11.09 recipe / $1.84 serving

These ham and cheese sliders layer savory ham and melty Swiss cheese inside sweet Hawaiian rolls, then finish with a buttery seasoned topping that bakes up golden on top and warm and gooey in the middle!

15. Leftover Stuffing Muffins Leftover Stuffing Muffins

Use up your Thanksgiving leftovers in these customizable savory Leftover Stuffing Muffins. The perfect grab-and-go breakfast!

These leftover stuffing muffins are such a fun way to use up more than one holiday leftover at once. I think they’d be great for breakfast or brunch, especially when you want something easy to reheat and serve.

View Original Article