Ham-alicious: 5 Ways to Make the Most of Ham Leftovers

Did you buy a hefty ham for Easter that has lots left over? Move over, ham sandwich. There's more you can do with leftovers than tossing them on bread. Pick off large slices and little tidbits of leftover ham and put these into an airtight container until you need them for your recipes. Leftover ham stays fresh in your fridge for up to seven days or in your freezer for up to a month, according to Stilltasty.com. Here are a few ways to liven up your leftover ham recipes for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

1. Mug of Ham and Eggs

Grab a mug. Crack open one or two eggs in the cup, add a splash of milk, and throw in a handful of ham pieces. Add shredded cheese. Beat the mixture in the cup. Pop it in the microwave for a minute or two until the egg sets. Remove and eat straight from the cup.

2. Ham and Pasta

The sky's the limit for leftover ham recipes with pasta. Add warm diced ham and a cup of peas to Alfredo or cheese sauce and pour over pasta. Make a cold pasta salad with diced ham and peas, and macaroni. Mix with mayo and seasonings or the salad dressing of your choice.

3. Hawaiian Pizza

Make this classic combo with a homemade pizza crust or premade packaged crusts. Sauce the crust and top with small chunks of pineapple, shredded mozzarella cheese, small slices of ham, and cooked bacon bits. Cook this sweet and salty pizza in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes to enjoy a tropical treat.

4. Ham Stew

Making a stew is one of the easiest, most fragrant ways to use up any leftovers, especially ham. Take a pasta pot and fill it with a few cups of water. Add leftover ham, any combination of leftover vegetables, cooked rice or noodles, and white or red beans (canned beans are fine). Season and leave the stew on a low simmer for an hour or more.

5. Ham Casserole

This leftover ham casserole recipe is great for any meal of the day. Butter a casserole dish and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix together the following:

·         A cup of cubed or shredded ham

·         A cup of peas or another chopped vegetable

·         A cup or two of a cooked starch, such as pasta, rice, or shredded potatoes

·         A cup of a binding ingredient, such as sour cream or can of creamed soup and one egg

Add a little stock or milk if it's too dry. Pour the mixture into a dish, and then bake for a half hour until your hearty meal is set.

If you want more ideas and inspiration for ham, head over to Food Lion's recipe section. You can insert a couple of ingredients that you already have on hand to generate a great new recipe to try.