Leftover Ham and Cheese Penne – incredibly creamy and cheesy penne loaded with ham and peas. What better way to transform that leftover holiday dinner ham?
As the holidays wrap up I find myself asking the age old question: what do I do with all these leftovers? Well this year I have the answer, and the answer is ham and cheese. It’s a combination that’s been around as long as humans have had taste buds and is the perfect way to clear up some space in that fridge.
With the help of some perfect al dente penne, fresh crisp green peas, and an obscene amount of cheese, we will welcome spring with open arms and full bellies! Although don’t let the word spring deter you, this dish is perfect year round! Don’t believe me? Test it out.
Get Creative With Your Leftovers
Why do we just think that leftovers are for microwaving on a plate and imagining we’re eating something a little fresher as we munch away? This dish will redefine the way you view leftovers, they will soon be a source of inspiration rather than something that takes up space in your fridge!
Ingredients
This is a recipe with an ingredient list that will taker you longer to read than it will to make. With the help of that already cooked ham, you’re half way there before you even begin! Now let’s get into it shall we:
- Penne – You can use any pasta you happen to have in your cupboard for this recipe, preferably small types like farfalle, rotini, shells, etc.
- Butter & olive oil – Olive oil has a higher smoke point than butter so melting that butter down with a bit of olive oil in the pot will give you all that brown butter flavour with none of the burnt butter bitterness.
- Onion – A small one will do, look for something that mellows out as it cooks like a yellow or white onion.
- Ham – Fully cooked and chopped.
- Chicken broth – For flavour and to help create a saucier dish.
- Heavy cream – A cup of this will create a thicker sauce that gives the ridges in the penne something to hold onto.
- Salt & pepper – Season to taste, be sure to adjust according to the sodium content of your broth.
- Mozzarella & cheddar cheese – We want to use some nice melty cheeses here, the addition of cheddar adds a nice sharpness.
- Peas – I recommend using frozen as the pea will stay crisp and bright when it meets the hot pasta.
- Parsley – Did you know that herbs are superfoods? Packed full of vitamins and folic acid, parsley is so much more than just a garnish.
- Parmesan cheese – This last cheesy addition should be sprinkled on top just before serving.
What Else Can I Add
Veggies
Some nice sautéed mushrooms or zucchini can be used in place of peas. If you are looking to make this dish into a pasta bake, sautéed eggplant pairs quite nicely with ham and will add a nice chew to the dish.
Speaking of pasta bakes, this dish can easily be popped into a casserole dish, topped with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, and baked for 30 mins at 350 F degrees. If you want something nice and saucy however just stick with the original as the pasta will absorb more of that sauce in the oven, making it dry up a bit. Totally delish either way.
How To Make Leftover Ham And Cheese Penne
- Cook the pasta: Al dente according to package instructions. Set aside.
- Sauté the onion: Melt the butter down in some olive oil over medium high heat. Add the chopped onion and let cook for 5 minutes till it softens.
- Cook the ham: While the ham is already cooked, you’ll still want to add it to the pot at this point for 8 minutes to allow it to brown.
- Create the sauce: Add the chicken broth first, followed by the cream to prevent the cream from scalding. Season with salt and pepper to taste before stirring in your mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Cook for 3 minutes more while stirring.
- Finish the ham and cheese penne: Add your cooked pasta and frozen peas, allow to cook further for a few more minutes while stirring before garnishing with minced parsley and parmesan cheese.
Leftovers
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. If freezing allow the dish to cool fully in a shallow container before placing in the freezer.
Other Great Leftover Dishes To Try:
- Leftover Ham and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
- Leftover Ham And Bean Soup
- Olive Ham and Cheese Loaf
- Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup
- Ham and Cheese Pockets
- Leftover Pistachio Pesto Turkey Sandwich
- Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
- Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Stromboli
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Leftover Ham and Cheese Penne
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne uncooked
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cups ham cooked, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper or to taste
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 3/4 cup frozen peas
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the penne al-dente according to package instructions.
- In a large pot, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and saute for about 5 minutes until the onion softens.
- Add the ham to the pot and cook for about 8 minutes until the ham starts to brown slightly.
- Stir in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then season with salt and pepper. Add the cheeses and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring, until the cheese melts.
- Add the pasta, peas, stir and cook for a couple more minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and Parmesan cheese.
Video
Recipe Notes
- You can use any type of pasta that you have in your cupboard. Preferably small types like farfalle, shells, rotini, etc.
- Use milk or 10% cream instead of heavy cream if you’d like to cut down on calories.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. If freezing allow the dish to cool fully in a shallow container before placing in the freezer.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Excellent use of what ever is in the fridge we used peas & mushrooms. Made it with gluten free pasta & even baked for 15 minutes it was just saucy enough. Will definitely have to make it again !
That’s great! It’s definitely an easy recipe to help clean up the fridge and have a tasty meal out of it! So glad you enjoyed it!
We love this recipe. I was looking for something to do with the leftover ham, and I’m glad to find your recipe. The only difference is that I thought I had mozzarella, but instead it was a blend with Monterey Jack. It still worked great.
We are so glad you enjoyed it!
Very easy to make. Very tasty!! Enough for leftovers.. everyone loved it..
Very easy and so delicious; best use of leftover Christmas ham!
I made it as a half order because there are only two of us. I didn’t change the ingredients at all and it was wonderful. My husband says this is a keeper. During this lock down I have been trying new recipes to break up the boredom. I will make this again. Gave a portion to a friend and she asked for the recipe…
Can you use sour cream instead of milk or cream?
Yeah go for it!
How did it turn out?
Am I thawing the peas before adding at the end? Cooking them first? Adding them still frozen? I know it sounds like a ridiculous question to some of you but I’m a beginner 🤷🏼♀️
No worries! We are here to help 🙂 Add them straight in frozen. They’ll thaw and warm up in just a couple minutes.
Will be using fresh zucchini from the garden. Similar to the pea question, should I cook that some first or still just add it in raw towards the end like one would do with the frozen peas?
I would saute the zucchini first, or grill it and then add it to the dish.
This is a delicious dish! I made it a couple of days ago and I will be making it again. It is super delicious and a great comfort food!