Creamy Leftover Ham Pasta (in 15 minutes!)

Creamy, salty, and wonderfully lemony, this ham pasta has absolutely everything you want in a weeknight dinner! It’s super rich from the crème fraîche, lovely and sweet from the peas, and perfectly balanced with that sharp squeeze of lemon.

I make this often after Christmas or Easter as it’s one of my favourite leftover ham recipes. If you liked my Creamy Bacon Pasta, then trust me, this one’s right up your street.

Why you’ll love this recipe

I love to make ham pasta when I’m craving something creamy but really don’t want it to feel too heavy. Here’s why I love it:

• Full of flavour: The honey-roasted ham I use adds a gorgeous sweetness that balances with the lemon and the rich cheese. The peas bring a bit of freshness, just like they do in my Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta.
• Minimal prep: No dicing of onions, chopping garlic, or any chopping at all if your ham is already sliced! The whole recipe comes together so quickly, similarly to my Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi. Couldn’t be easier.
• Totally adaptable: Pasta with ham is my favourite, but feel free to switch up the meat. Chicken, mushrooms, or even tofu all work beautifully with this creamy base.

For more quick dinner ideas, check out Easy Creamy Gochujang Pasta {in under 15 minutes!}, Fast Chorizo Carbonara (only 5 Ingredients!), and Easy Vermicelli Noodles (One Pot).

Ingredients

• Pasta: Orecchiette holds onto the ham pasta sauce perfectly, but honestly, any curved shape works brilliantly. Penne, fusilli, or even shells are great substitutes, like in my Spicy Chicken Pasta Recipe.
• Ham: The honey-roasted ham gives the sauce such a lovely sweetness that just melts in. If you’re using leftovers, gammon or smoky slices also work really well and add an amazing depth to ham pasta recipes.
• Crème fraîche: The crème fraîche is what keeps the sauce light and silky – it stops it from getting too heavy, while the cheese adds salt and richness. You can easily use a light crème fraîche or even a vegan version if you need, which you could also use in these Basa Fish Fillets with Cream Sauce.

See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.

Variations/ Adaptations

• Go vegetarian: Skip the ham entirely and double up on the sweetness from the peas or throw in some mushrooms. It’s just as creamy and satisfying, similar to this Easy Creme Fraiche Pasta.
• Make it spicy: I love a bit of heat in my ham pasta. Add a pinch of cayenne or chilli flakes for some warmth. The spice pairs nicely with the sharp tang of the lemon in ham and pasta recipes.
• Dairy-free version: Use a plant-based crème fraîche and your favourite vegan cheese for the same texture. This is a great swap, and you could also use those substitutes in this High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta too!

How to make Leftover Ham Pasta

Step 1: Start by heavily salting a big pot of boiling water. Add your orecchiette and cook it for 2 minutes less than the packet says.

Step 2: Scoop out around 300ml of the pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and pop it straight back into the pan over a low heat. Add the crème fraîche, frozen peas, two-thirds of the chopped honey-roasted ham, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne.

Step 3: Season with salt and pepper, then give everything a quick stir to coat. Pour the reserved pasta water in slowly while stirring.

Step 4: The sauce will start to look creamy and cling to the pasta.

Step 5: Once it starts to thicken, add two-thirds of the Parmesan and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Keep stirring until it’s glossy and smooth.

Step 6: Serve your ham pasta straight away and top with the rest of the Parmesan, leftover ham, a sprinkle of chives, and plenty of black pepper. Add lemon wedges on the side.

 This recipe pairs nicely with Easy Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans, Easy Braised Red Cabbage, and Healthy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries.

Serving Suggestions

This ham pasta works absolutely brilliantly all year round. It’s especially handy if you’re wondering what to make with leftover ham. It’s hearty enough to eat on its own, but it’s amazing with a quick, fresh side to cut through the richness.

Try it with:

• Sauteed Broccoli
• The Best Roasted Parsnips
• Homemade Caesar Salad
• Panzanella Salad with Halloumi
• Simple Tricolore Salad

The Best Ways to Use Leftover Ham

Recipes for leftover ham are absolutely perfect for giving those fridge extras a second life. If your ham’s too salty, just give the edges a quick trim or a rinse before cooking. It still adds loads of flavour, but it definitely won’t take over the delicious creamy sauce.

How to Store & Freeze Leftover Ham

Cooked ham keeps brilliantly in the fridge for about three to five days when sealed tightly. You can also freeze it for up to two months. To make leftover ham recipes pasta later, chop the ham into small portions before freezing. That way, it’s super easy to defrost exactly what you need. Just pop it in the fridge overnight to thaw, and it’ll be ready to go straight into your sauce or pasta.

What Type of Ham Works Best

Honey-roast brings a nice sweetness, smoked ham adds delicious depth, and glazed gammon feels wonderfully rich and savoury. If you’re looking for an amazing gammon recipe to make first, try Best Air Fryer Gammon Joint (with glaze!). Deli ham is super handy when you need something quick, while thick-cut ham gives the pasta more bite. Honestly, whatever you’ve got, it’ll work beautifully in a ham pasta!

This brilliant combo of ham, peas, and cheese actually nods to pasta alla papalina, a classic Roman dish made with prosciutto and eggs. I’ve skipped the eggs here and gone creamy instead, because it’s simpler and just as tasty.

Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions

Refrigerator: Let the leftover ham pasta cool completely, then seal it up in an airtight container. Make sure you eat it within two to three days, it makes such a delicious lunch.

Freezer: I usually skip freezing this one because crème fraîche can be tricky and sometimes it splits when thawing. Instead, freeze the chopped ham separately for future ham leftover recipes, like this Marmite Ham & Camembert Festive Toastie.

Reheat: Warm it in a pan over a low heat. Add a little splash of water or milk as you stir as this is key to bringing the creamy sauce back together and making the ham pasta look perfectly glossy again.

Recipe FAQs

Take a look at Easy Chicken Piccata, Delicious Marry Me Shrimp Pasta and Easy Ragu Bianco (White Ragu) for more meal inspiration.