After Christmas, the fridge is usually packed with leftovers, and one thing you can count on is leftover ham, and there is no better way to use it than with this Ham and Cheese Dip recipe. Sure, you can make ham sandwiches, but why not try something a little more exciting this year?
This crowd favorite dip is the perfect way to turn that extra ham into a warm, cheesy appetizer that’s perfect for small gatherings or as a snack while you watch your favorite holiday movie or your favorite football team.
This dip is everything you want in a comfort food dish. It’s warm, cheesy, and loaded with flavor from the ham, cheddar, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce. It also includes a little hot sauce which gives it just a little kick, but not enough to scare off anyone who doesn’t love spicy food.
This recipe is designed as a smaller batch recipe, making it ideal for those quieter post-holiday moments when you don’t need a huge dish to share with the entire family. It’s easy to make, adaptable with cooking options, and absolutely delicious.
It’s also a great way to avoid wasting food. Ham is one of those things that often ends up as leftovers after big holiday meals, and this recipe lets you put it to good use.
Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Ham And Cheese Dip
- 8-oz container sour cream
- 4-oz package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup chopped ham
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1/8 tsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Ingredient:
- 8 ounce French bread loaf (if you want to make the dip in a bread bowl)
If you’ve got these basics on hand, you’re ready to go. The bread bowl is a nice touch for presentation, but it’s totally optional. This dip tastes just as good baked in a dish or even warmed in a slow cooker.
How to Make Ham and Cheese Dip
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. If you’re using a bread bowl, slice off the top of the loaf and hollow out the center. Save the bread pieces for dipping. If you’re skipping the bread bowl, grab a small baking dish instead. (Slow Cooker Instructions are included below).
Step 2: Mix It All Together
In a mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chopped ham, green onion, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until everything is well blended.
Step 3: Assemble the Dip
If you’re using the bread bowl, fill it with the dip mixture and then wrap the whole thing in aluminum foil. Place it on a baking sheet. If you’re baking in a dish, just spread the dip evenly in an oven safe baking dish.
Step 4: Bake
Bake the dip for about 1 hour if it’s in a bread bowl, or 25–30 minutes in a baking dish, until it’s hot and bubbly.
Using a Slow Cooker Instead
If you’d rather not turn on the oven you can make this ham and cheese dip in your slow cooker. However, be sure to use a small size, 2 quart crock pot so that the dip heats evenly.
Just add the ingredients to the slow cooker and mix. Then cook it on LOW for about 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally. This method is perfect if you’re planning to serve the dip while you watch the big game or if you need it later in the day for a casual gathering and want to keep it warm.
Serving Suggestions
This dip is amazing with bread cubes, crackers, or even firm, crinkle potato chips. If you’re using the bread bowl, the reserved bread pieces make for a great option for dipping or spreading.
If you’re skipping the bread bowl, serve it with sturdy crackers or toasted baguette slices.
And here’s a little tip: if you’ve got extra veggies lying around, like carrot sticks or celery, those work great as dippers too. It’s a great low-carb option for those who are getting a jump start on their New Year’s diet.
Make-Ahead and Storage Options
One of the best things about this recipe is that you can assemble it ahead of time. Mix everything together, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to a day before baking. This is especially handy if you’ve got other things going on and want to save yourself some prep time later.
Leftovers (if there are any) can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, placer the dip back in the oven set at 350°F or microwave until warmed through. Just be sure to give it a stir a couple of times so that it reheats evenly.
Ham and Cheese Dip Recipe
*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.
INGREDIENTS
- 8 ounce container sour cream
- 4-oz package of cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup chopped ham
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1/8 tsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, stirring until well blended.
BREAD LOAF INSTRUCTIONS: Cut a thin slice from top of bread loaf and then set the top slice aside. Cut the center out of the bread leaving the bread shell intact, ½ inch from the edge, creating a bread bowl.
Reserve the center of the bread for later. Fill the bread bowl with the dip. Then wrap the bread with aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour. Remove the bread from the oven and carefully unwrap the foil and serve the ham and cheese dip with the reserved bread (cut in cubes), crackers, or firm crinkle potato chips.
BAKING DISH OPTION: Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl or in the baking dish itself. Then place in the preheated oven (uncovered) for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove the baking dish from the oven and serve with crackers, toasted baguettes or vegetable sticks.
SLOW COOKER OPTION: In a 2 quart slow cooker, add all the ingredients and mix. Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or until hot and bubbly. Then place on the Keep Warm setting until ready to serve. Serve with crackers, toasted baguettes or vegetable sticks.
Other Ways to Use Leftover Ham
If you have more ham than you know what to do with, here are a few other recipes to try:
- Ham and Potato Soup – A comforting soup perfect for winter nights.
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole – Great option for dinner.
- Ham and Cheese Sliders – Easy and delicious for a quick snack or meal.
- Skillet Ham and Rice Casserole – An easy 30 minute meal.
- Ham and Bean Soup – A hearty classic that’s always welcome in the cold winter months.
Enjoy! Mary
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Mississippi Leftover Ham Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounce container sour cream
- 4-oz package of cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup chopped ham
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1/8 tsp. hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper, to taste
Optional
- small French bread loaf (if you want to make a bread bowl)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- In a mixing bowl, combine all of the dip ingredients, stirring until well incorporated.
- Bread Bowl Option: Cut a thin slice from top of bread loaf and hollow out the center of the loaf, leaving 1/2 inch from the bottom and edges. Reserve the center of the loaf and cut into cubes to serve with the dip. Wrap the bread in foil and place in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour.
- Oven Option: Place the dip in a small baking dish, being sure to spread the top in an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are hot and bubbly.
- Slow Cooker Instructions: Mix the ingredients togehter and put it in a small, 2 quart slow cooker. Heat on Low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally until the dip is hot and bubbly around the edges.
Notes
- Serve with bread, baguettes, crackers, vegetables sticks or with firm, crinkle cut potato chips.
Recipe provided by iCookfortwo.com
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 369Total Fat 32gSaturated Fat 18gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 104mgSodium 660mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 0gSugar 3gProtein 14g
Nutritional Information is to be used as a general guideline only . Nutritional calculations will vary from the types and brands of the products used.