• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
Home / Recipes

Leftover Ham and Cheese Penne

30 minutes
4.51 from 110 votes
32 Comments
Jump to RecipePrint RecipeJump to Video
  • 776
  • 193
by: Joanna Cismaru
11.27.19

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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?

a serving bowl of Ham and Cheese Penne topped with parsley

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!

a plate of Ham and Cheese Penne with a fork

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.
a serving bowl of Ham and Cheese Penne topped with parsley

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

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

side view shot of a plate full of leftover ham and cheese penne

Leftover Ham and Cheese Penne

4.51 from 110 votes
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 30 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 6
Print Pin Rate
Leftover Ham and Cheese Penne – incredibly creamy and cheesy penne loaded with ham and peas, perfect use of that leftover ham from your holiday dinner.

Equipment

  • 6 Quart Dutch Oven

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)
US Customary – Metric

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

  1. You can use any type of pasta that you have in your cupboard. Preferably small types like farfalle, shells, rotini, etc.
  2. Use milk or 10% cream instead of heavy cream if you’d like to cut down on calories.
  3. 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.
  4. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 762kcal (38%)Carbohydrates: 63g (21%)Protein: 34g (68%)Fat: 40g (62%)Saturated Fat: 21g (131%)Cholesterol: 128mg (43%)Sodium: 1205mg (52%)Potassium: 455mg (13%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 1550IU (31%)Vitamin C: 4.4mg (5%)Calcium: 383mg (38%)Iron: 2.2mg (12%)
Course:Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine:American
Keyword:ham and cheese penne, leftover ham, pasta recipe
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

green beans in a skillet with a wooden spoon
Previous Post
Skillet Green Beans
a bowl of leftover ham and bean soup
Next Post
Leftover Ham and Bean Soup

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate Recipe Cancel reply

Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Jo says

    February 21, 2021 at 7:44 pm

    5 stars
    Very easy to make. Very tasty!! Enough for leftovers.. everyone loved it..

    Reply
  2. Angela says

    December 26, 2020 at 7:32 pm

    5 stars
    Very easy and so delicious; best use of leftover Christmas ham!

    Reply
  3. Suzanne Cunningham says

    April 18, 2020 at 4:58 pm

    5 stars
    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…

    Reply
  4. Christine says

    April 14, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    Can you use sour cream instead of milk or cream?

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      April 15, 2020 at 9:43 am

      Yeah go for it!

      Reply
    • Lindsey Corthell says

      April 27, 2020 at 6:18 pm

      How did it turn out?

      Reply
  5. Jill says

    March 23, 2020 at 9:49 am

    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 🤷🏼‍♀️

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      March 23, 2020 at 1:05 pm

      No worries! We are here to help 🙂 Add them straight in frozen. They’ll thaw and warm up in just a couple minutes.

      Reply
  6. Kathy R. says

    December 31, 2019 at 6:06 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…
cover for the big book of jo's quick and easy meals.

My Cookbook

Pre-Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Dinner Recipes

a wooden spoon lifting a salisbury steak out of the skillet

Salisbury Steak

closeup of beef stew in a dutch oven with a ladle inside.

Beef Stew

overhead shot of zucchini lasagna in a baking dish

Zucchini Lasagna

a white bowl full with american goulash and a fork inside stacked on top of an empty bowl

American Goulash (Chop Suey)

two plate with sloppy joes and buns next to a greens salad

Sloppy Joes

beef barley soup in a white bowl with a spoon inside.

Beef Barley Soup

overhead shot of chicken broccoli and rice casserole in a pot

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

creamy chicken lazone in a skillet garnished with parsley.

Chicken Lazone

Popular Now

a hand dipping a chicken tender in ranch dressing

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

a fork stabbing a garlic butter steak bite in a skillet full of them

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

side view shot of a cinnamon bun with a bite taken out of it on a plate

Cinnabons Cinnamon Rolls

side view shot of a hand dipping a piece of naan bread into the bowl of chicken tikka masala

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

close up of the layers on the homemade croissant

Homemade Croissants

overhead shot of crusty bread loaf

No Knead Bread

side view shot of two halves of a chicken salad sandwich stacked on a plate exposing the centers

The Best Chicken Salad

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
moo shu pork in a white bowl with a pair of tongs.

Asian

closeup of italian mac and cheese in a white bowl with a big serving spoon.

Italian

chimichangas on a serving platter on a bed of lettuce garnished with salsa and sour cream.

Mexican

a bunch of crepes folded on a plate.

Romanian

sideview shot of butter chicken on a plate over white rice garnished with parsley

Indian

red lentil hummus in a big black bowl garnished with a bit of smoked paprika.

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

a whole roast chicken surrounded by potatoes

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2021 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!

2651shares
  • 776
  • 1
  • 193