Tightwad Tuesdays - How to use up leftover ham

This week's Tightwad Tuesday is a tip we've all have heard before.  Don't toss out those leftovers!  Find a way to use them up.  Luckily for me, Hubz came from a family of leftover eaters.  We don't have much go to waste around here, but it isn't always thanks to my superb culinary skills.  It mostly boils down to him not having a problem snacking on leftovers or taking them for lunch or, if there's a big pot of chili, eating them for nights on end. 

Who else had ham, among other goodies, leftover from Easter?  Here are some ideas for using up that ham:

• Sandwiches, of course (especially good if you have some yummy rolls leftover, as well)
• Ground up into ham salad
• Potato soup
• Ham 'n cheese omelette
• Chef salad
• Soup beans
• Pork fried rice

My sister and her husband made the Easter ham this year and there were plenty of leftovers so everyone took a little home.  Besides eating a few sandwiches on Mom's good rolls, here's how we used ours:


Hawaiian Pizza

This is one of our favorite pizzas - BBQ sauce, ham, pineapple and red onion.  Yummy.

I was able to use a few different leftovers on this one.



Before 450° for 10 minutes...

...and after!

Another meal we used Easter ham in was...

Ham Tetrazzini



1 1/2 c. diced ham

8 oz. canned mushrooms

small onion, diced

1/4 c butter

1/4 c flour

2 cups milk

1 t garlic powder

1 c shredded Swiss cheese

1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

8 oz spaghetti

In a large saucepan, saute the ham, onion and mushrooms until onion is translucent.  Remove from pan. 

Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions.  In the saucepan, melt the butter and blend in flour.  Cook for a minute then gradually add in milk.  Continue cooking over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk until sauce begins to thicken.  Add garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste.  Blend in cheeses and continue heating, stirring constantly, until cheese has melted.

Stir the ham, onion and mushroom mixture into the sauce and serve over cooked spaghetti.

If you're having trouble figuring out what to do with your leftovers, check out some recipe websites.  Personally, I really like allrecipes.com.   I searched for recipes containing ham just now and got 997 returns - plenty to choose from. 

Don't be afraid to try something new.  Get creative and have fun making up your own unique dishes.  If it works out, great!  Write it down somewhere or take a picture so you'll remember it.  If it doesn't turn out so well, remember that too so you don't repeat it.  :)

What are some of your favorite ways to use up leftovers?



Linking up with Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways.