Simple Comfort Food Recipes for Leftover Ham

Three Easy Recipes Using Ham, Cheese, Potatoes and Bowtie Pasta

© Sallie Schaaf Borrink

Jun 15, 2009

Each of these recipes call for basic ingredients that are readily available in most pantries. And every combination below is sure to get a big thumbs-up from eaters of all ages!

Ham, Cheese and Hashbrown Mix-Up

This is a great brunch recipe but is also hearty enough to stand alone for lunch or even breakfast for supper. It makes three very generous servings or four regular-sized servings.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fully cooked chopped ham
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cups hashbrown potatoes
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 6 eggs
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Saute ham,onion and potatoes in oil for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
3. Beat eggs, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
4. Add eggs to mixture in skillet, stirring constantly with spatula until eggs are set.
5. Remove skillet from heat and gently mix in cheese.
6. Top with chives (optional) for added color.

Creamy Ham and Cheesy Potatoes

For the ultimate in comfort food, enjoy this combination of ham, cheese and potatoes.

Ingredients:

• 6 medium potatoes, peeled, cut into small chunks and cooked
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 and 1/2 cups diced ham
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 and 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook potatoes in boiling salt water until done but firm. (Do not overcook.) Drain potatoes and place in greased casserole dish.
3. While potatoes are cooking, melt butter in large saucepan; stir in flour. Cook flour briefly, approximately 30 seconds.
4. Whisk water into butter and flour mixture.
5. Add onion, salt, pepper, cheese, mayo and ham.
6. Stir constantly and cook until thickened.
7. Pour ham and cheese mixture over potatoes; toss gently.
8. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until bubbly and hot.

Ham and Cheese Bowtie Casserole

This is a very tasty casserole-type dish with a great hint of garlic.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces uncooked bowtie pasta
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 tsp prepared mustard
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 and 1/2 cups chopped ham
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook and drain pasta according to directions on package.
3. Place pasta in an ungreased 2-quart baking dish.
4. While pasta cooks, melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
5. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly.
6. Gradually stir in milk with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir for one minute. Remove from heat.
7. Stir in mustard and cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.
8. Stir in ham.
9. Pour sauce mixture over pasta and mix lightly but thoroughly.
10. Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese.
11. Bake uncovered 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

Using leftover ham in comfort food recipes is a sure way to make the most of them! Whether it is made with cheese, potatoes or bowtie pasta, each combination is sure

Spiral Sliced Ham

Print Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds