What are some great summer meal ideas for leftover ham?
Transform Leftover Ham into Summer Meals
Summertime usually means a break from the usual routine, and that includes meals. Whether you have leftover ham from a holiday meal or you just want to switch up your regular weeknight dinner, there are plenty of delicious recipes to turn leftover ham into a summer meal. Here are five great ideas for transforming ham into a meal that everyone will love.
Ham and Cheese Quiche
Start off with a classic quiche. This Ham and Cheese Quiche is a great way to use up leftover ham and can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, and seasonings. Add in diced ham, cheese, and any other favorite ingredients like mushrooms, onions, or peppers. Pour the mixture into a pre-baked 9-inch pie crust and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the center is set. Serve warm with a side salad for a delicious and easy summer meal.
Ham Salad Sandwich
A Ham Salad Sandwich is an easy and delicious way to use up leftover ham. Start by combining diced ham, mayonnaise, mustard, onion, celery, pickles, and seasonings in a bowl. Mix everything together until combined. Serve on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Enjoy a cool and tasty summer sandwich that can be made in just minutes.
Ham and Potato Salad
Ham and Potato Salad is another great way to use up leftover ham. Start by boiling potatoes until tender. Then combine cooked potatoes, diced ham, celery, onion, mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings in a large bowl. Mix everything together until combined. Serve chilled or at room temperature. This potato salad is the perfect side dish for a summer cookout.
Ham and Cheese Wrap
Ham and Cheese Wraps are a tasty and easy way to use up leftover ham. Start by spreading a wrap with your favorite condiments. Then add a layer of shredded cheese and diced ham. Roll the wrap up tightly and cut in half. Serve with chips or a side salad for a light and delicious summer meal.
Ham and Pineapple Pizza
Finish off with a flavorful pizza. Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on the crust and top with shredded cheese and diced ham. Add pineapple chunks, jalapenos, or any other favorite toppings. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve a slice of this delicious pizza for a summer meal that the whole family will love.
Lighten Up Your Summer Table with These Leftover Ham Ideas
No matter the size of your family gathering, leftover ham is a great way to feed a crowd. Save money and time by sprucing up leftovers with creative meal ideas that are perfect for summer. Here are some great summer meal ideas for leftover ham that will have your family asking for seconds!
Ham and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Stir-fries are a great way to lighten up meals during the summer months, and adding leftover ham is a great way to pack in some extra protein. Start by adding some chopped vegetables to a wok or stir-fry pan with some oil and cook until they are tender. Then, add in some cubed ham and cook until it is warm. Serve with some cooked rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Ham and Cheese Breakfast Burrito
Breakfast burritos are a great way to use up leftover ham. Start by heating up some chopped ham in a skillet. Then, add some scrambled eggs, cheese, and diced tomatoes. Once everything is cooked, spoon the mixture into a warm tortilla and wrap it up. Serve with a side of salsa, sour cream, and avocado for a delicious breakfast.
Ham and Potato Salad
Nothing says summer like a delicious potato salad. Start by boiling some potatoes until they are tender. Then, mix in some cubed ham, diced onions, and a dressing of your choice. This dish is great served cold and can be a great side for a summer barbecue.
Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Sometimes, the simplest meals are the best. Make a simple ham and cheese sandwich with some toasted bread, slices of ham, and cheese of your choice. This meal is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner and is sure to please the whole family.
Ham and Cheese Pizza
Who doesn't love a good pizza? Start by rolling out some pizza dough and spreading some tomato sauce on top. Then, add a layer of cheese and top with some cubed ham. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown. Serve with a side of salad for a complete meal.
Summer Salads with Leftover Ham to Keep You Refreshed
One of the best ways to enjoy leftover ham is to incorporate it into summer salads. Doing so can help to keep your meals light and refreshing while utilizing ingredients you already have in your pantry. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Ham, Feta and Watermelon Salad
This salad is a delicious combination of salty and sweet. Start by slicing up a few cups of leftover ham and adding them to a bowl with cubed feta cheese and watermelon cubes. Add a few chopped mint leaves for extra flavor and color. Finally, drizzle over your favorite vinaigrette and enjoy.
Ham and Avocado Salad
This salad is a great way to make the most of summer avocados. Start by cubing up some leftover ham and adding to a bowl with cubed avocado. Then, add a handful of cherry tomatoes and some chopped red onion. Sprinkle in some crumbled feta cheese and top with a light vinaigrette. Enjoy this salad as a light lunch or as a side dish.
Ham, Potato and Egg Salad
This hearty salad is a great way to use up leftover ingredients. Start by boiling some potatoes and eggs. Then, mix them together with some cubed ham, chopped celery and red onion. For extra flavor, add a handful of chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper. Finally, drizzle over a mayonnaise-based dressing and enjoy.
Ham and Peach Salad
This sweet and savory salad is perfect for summer. Start by combining cubed leftover ham in a bowl with fresh peach slices. Then, add a handful of crumbled feta cheese and some chopped fresh mint. Drizzle over a simple vinaigrette and enjoy as a light lunch or side dish.
Ham and Spinach Salad
This salad is a great way to get your greens in and use up leftover ingredients. Start by combining cubed ham and chopped red onion in a bowl. Then, add a handful of baby spinach leaves and some crumbled feta cheese. Finally, drizzle over a light balsamic vinaigrette and enjoy.
Making the Most of Leftover Ham with Summer BBQs
Summer BBQs are the perfect opportunity to make use of leftovers, and if you've got a bit of leftover ham, you can turn it into a delicious meal. Whether it's a classic ham sandwich, a creative pasta dish, or a hearty casserole, there are plenty of options for making the most of your leftover ham.
Ham Sandwiches
A classic ham sandwich is always a crowd pleaser! To spice it up a bit, you can add a variety of toppings and condiments. Try adding sliced tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and your favorite cheese. For a more flavorful sandwich, you can add a bit of mayonnaise, mustard, or aioli. For a heartier sandwich, you can add an egg or avocado slices. These delicious toppings will turn an ordinary ham sandwich into an extraordinary summer meal.
Ham Pasta
Pasta dishes are an easy and tasty way to use up your leftover ham. For a simple but delicious dish, you can sauté some garlic and onions in olive oil, add the diced ham, and then toss it with your favorite pasta. To add more flavor, you can add some herbs and spices, such as rosemary and thyme. You can also add some vegetables, such as spinach or mushrooms, to make the dish more nutritious. Top it off with some grated Parmesan cheese and you have a satisfying summer meal.
Ham Casserole
Casseroles are a great way to use up leftovers, and they're a great choice for a summer BBQ. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and greasing a 9x13 baking dish. Then, mix together your diced ham, cooked pasta, your favorite cheese, and some vegetables. Pour the mixture into the baking dish, top with some breadcrumbs, and bake for about 30 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy the delicious flavors of summer!
Grilled Ham
If you're looking for something different, why not try grilling your leftover ham? You can marinate the slices in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and herbs, then cook them on the grill for a few minutes. Serve the slices on a bed of lettuce with a few slices of tomato and some crumbled blue cheese for a delicious and nutritious summer meal.
Ham and Potato Salad
Ham and potato salad is the perfect side dish for any summer BBQ. Start by boiling some potatoes until they are tender. Then, in a large bowl, mix together the diced potatoes, diced ham, some chopped celery, and a dressing of your choice. Serve the salad chilled and enjoy the summer flavors!
Easy Summer Dinners with Leftover Ham to Spice Up Your Meals
Summer is the perfect time of year to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family. If you have leftover ham from a previous meal, there are plenty of easy summer dinner ideas you can use to create a scrumptious meal. From salads to sandwiches, here are some easy summer dinner ideas to spice up your meals with leftover ham.
Salads
Nothing says summer like a light and healthy salad. To make a delicious summer salad with leftover ham, start by chopping the ham into small cubes. Then, combine the ham with your favorite lettuce and vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Finally, top off the salad with a light vinaigrette or creamy dressing for an extra flavorful twist.
Sandwiches
Sandwiches are always a great option for a quick and easy summer dinner. To make a delicious ham sandwich, start by toasting two slices of bread. Then, spread some mayonnaise or mustard on one side of each slice. Next, add a layer of thinly-sliced ham and top it off with cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Finally, close the sandwich and enjoy!
Pasta Dishes
Pasta dishes are a great way to enjoy leftover ham during summer. To make a delicious pasta dish, start by boiling your favorite type of pasta in salted water. Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, sauté some freshly chopped vegetables in olive oil, such as onions, garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms. When the vegetables are cooked, add the leftover ham and cook until the ham is warmed through. Finally, combine the cooked pasta and vegetables with the ham and top off with grated cheese and fresh herbs.
Soups
Soups are always a great way to make a delicious summer meal. To make a delicious ham soup, start by sautéing some fresh vegetables, such as onions, celery, carrots, and potatoes, in a large stock pot. Then, add the leftover ham and cook until the vegetables are softened. Finally, add chicken or vegetable stock, seasonings, and any additional vegetables, such as corn and peas. Simmer until the soup is heated through and serve with freshly baked bread.
These easy summer dinners with leftover ham are sure to spice up your meals and make for a delicious and enjoyable meal. Whether you’re looking for a light salad or a hearty soup, there are plenty of ways to use leftover ham to create delicious summer dinners that your family and friends will love.
About Author
I'm Abigail Kingsley and I'm passionate about exploration and discovery. I love learning about other cultures, lifestyles, and ways of thinking. I'm constantly looking for new perspectives and new experiences that can help me understand the world better.
