This ham casserole is creamy, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying — a fantastic way to use leftover ham. With a few adjustments it can be low carb, high protein, keto-friendly, and gluten-free, making it a family-approved weeknight dinner everyone will enjoy.
What To Do With Leftover Ham: Make This Casserole
Beyond sandwiches, leftover ham becomes the centerpiece of a rich, comforting casserole. This version layers ham with vegetables and melted cheese in a creamy sauce — an easy, crowd-pleasing way to transform leftovers.
- Delicious. Ham and cheese are a classic pairing. This casserole adds onions, spinach, and cauliflower for flavor and texture while sneaking in some vegetables.
- Great Use of Leftovers. Perfect for leftover holiday ham or a ham steak. Spiral-sliced ham or diced ham both work well.
- One-Pan Meal. Prep on the stove and bake in a casserole dish or an oven-safe skillet for an easy weeknight dinner. It also reheats well.
- Adaptable & Healthy. The recipe is easy to adjust for gluten-free, low-carb, keto, or higher-protein diets and contains no added sugar when you choose unsweetened ham.
Ingredients
- Fresh cauliflower florets — use fresh or frozen; if using frozen, cook until just crisp-tender.
- Olive oil
- Onion — diced
- Baby spinach — adds freshness and color
- Cooked diced ham — leftover ham, ham steak, or spiral ham (diced)
- Sharp shredded cheddar cheese — or use mild, monterey jack, gouda, or Swiss
- Sour cream
- Cream cheese
- Dijon mustard
- Fresh parsley — or substitute chives, thyme, or basil
- Kosher or sea salt — add cautiously if the ham is salty
- Ground black pepper
- Pork panko or seasoned breadcrumbs — pork panko is a lower-carb choice
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities.
Best Cheeses to Pair with Ham
Cheddar, gouda, Swiss, monterey jack, and Havarti are excellent with ham. Salty hams pair well with milder, creamier cheeses like Havarti or Monterey Jack, while sweet hams work nicely with cheddar, smoked gouda, or Swiss.
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Recipe Variations
- Swap cheeses — Swiss or gouda are delicious alternatives.
- Substitute cooked diced chicken for ham for a different protein.
- Add garlic powder or minced fresh garlic for extra flavor.
- Turn it into a pasta casserole by adding cooked egg noodles if you’re not low-carb.
- Replace cauliflower entirely with cooked pasta and use cream of mushroom or chicken soup with a bit of broth for a traditional ham-and-noodle casserole.
- Mix melted butter into breadcrumbs for a crisp topping.
- Try different herbs: thyme, chives, rosemary, basil, herbs de Provence, or Italian seasoning.
- Substitute broccoli for cauliflower for a classic broccoli-cheese-and-ham combination.
How To Make This Ham Casserole
Prep
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a casserole dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Cook Cauliflower
- Cook cauliflower florets in salted boiling water for about 5 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Alternatively, microwave with a few tablespoons of water until just tender.
- Shock the cauliflower under cold water to stop the cooking, drain, and set aside.
Sauté Onion and Spinach
- In a 12″ skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and sauté the diced onion until soft.
- Add baby spinach and cook until wilted.
Add Remaining Ingredients
- Stir in the cooked ham and cauliflower.
- Add cream cheese, 2 cups of shredded cheddar, sour cream, Dijon mustard, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined and creamy.
Assemble the Casserole
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar and sprinkle with pork panko or seasoned breadcrumbs for a crisp finish.
Bake
- Bake 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly and golden on top.
How To Serve
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- For those not following low-carb diets, serve with rice, pasta, or a fresh roll.
- Pair with green beans or roasted broccoli for a complete meal.
- Great for brunch, dinner, or packed lunches and leftovers.
Storage Recommendations
Cool the casserole completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 4 months.
How Long Does Ham Last in the Fridge?
Opened ham is best used within 4 days when stored in an airtight container. Unopened packages should be used by the date on the package. Ham can be frozen if you won’t use it before that date.
Kori’s Tips
- Do not overcook the cauliflower — cook to crisp-tender so it holds up in the casserole.
- Use a 12″ oven-proof skillet to sauté and bake in the same pan for fewer dishes.
- Start with less added salt because ham can be salty; adjust after tasting.
FAQs
Leftover ham keeps up to 4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.
Yes — plain ham is typically low in carbs (1–2 g per serving). Check packaging for added sugars or glazes, which can raise the carb count.
A great casserole balances textures and flavors: protein, vegetables, a fat component (butter, cream, or cheese), and a binder (cheese, cream, or pasta) to bring everything together.
Can I ask a favor?
If you try this recipe, please rate and leave a comment — feedback helps others and lets me know how it turned out for you!
📖 The recipe.
Ham Casserole Recipe
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Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh cauliflower florets cut into 1″ pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced
- 2½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon pork panko or seasoned breadcrumbs
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a casserole dish with butter.
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Cook cauliflower florets in salted boiling water for about 5 minutes, until crisp-tender. Rinse with cold water, drain, and set aside.
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In a 12″ skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and sauté the diced onion until soft.
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Add spinach and cook until wilted, then stir in the ham and cauliflower.
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Add cream cheese, 2 cups shredded cheddar, sour cream, Dijon mustard, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined.
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Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar and the pork panko (or breadcrumbs) evenly over the top.
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Bake 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly. Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Video
Kori’s Tips
- Try different cheeses or herbs to change the flavor profile.
- Substitute diced cooked chicken for ham, or swap broccoli for cauliflower.
- To make a traditional ham-and-noodle casserole, replace the cauliflower with cooked egg noodles and use cream of mushroom or chicken soup with a little broth for the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, thyme, or chives. Serve with rice or a roll for those who want extra carbs.
Nutrition
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If you enjoyed this, try the Healthy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole or an Eggs Benedict Frittata — both are great ways to use leftovers.
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Leftover ham casserole is a cheesy, comforting dish that makes excellent use of extra ham. It’s flexible, satisfying, and easy to adapt to diet preferences — perfect for busy weeknights or weekend leftovers.