Take your hot ham and cheese sandwich to the next level with this easy ham sandwich recipe! It’s a little sweet, a little savory, and a great leftover ham recipe.
If I were to list my top 5 favorite recipes to use up leftover ham, this sandwich would be there. First of all, because you can never, ever, go wrong with a grilled cheese sandwich. Second, because the flavor combination is 100% comfort food. Third, chances are you have most if not all of the ingredients on hand. And if you don’t have the exact ingredients, you’ll have some very easy substitutes. Three cheers for easy and delicious!
A few months back, I posted a recipe for a really good low sugar apple butter. You should check it out if you haven’t! But in getting that recipe for posting, I ended up with a copious amount of apple butter. And while I do love apple butter cinnamon rolls, my family doesn’t want them every weekend. It’s because they’re spoiled. They insist on variety or something.
Anyway, I asked a friend for suggestions, and she immediately responded with “ham, apple butter, and brie sandwiches”. She’s brilliant like that. Having not made this version of a hot ham and cheese at home before, I was excited to try! And it just so happens that we were about to have copious amounts of leftover spiral ham on hand. This whole situation was very serendipitous.
So how do we make a gourmet hot ham and cheese sandwich anyway? The same way you make any sandwich – one step at a time!
First, pick your favorite bread. I’m partial to a good multigrain or sourdough. Spread a little apple butter on the bread. If you don’t have apple butter, substitute your favorite jam. An apricot, raspberry, guava, or blackberry jam would work nicely. If your jam is on the sweeter side though, use sparingly. A little goes a long way, and you want to keep flavors balanced.
Layer on your preferred amount of ham. I recommend making these sandwiches to use up leftover ham, but you can use deli-sliced ham too. Add sliced brie cheese. I’ve noticed at some stores you can get pre-sliced brie, but I usually just buy the wheel and cut into slivers. If you have leftovers from a holiday cheese board, this sandwich is a great way to use those too.
If you don’t like brie or don’t have any, cheddar makes an excellent substitute! The Godfather actually prefers a sharp cheddar to the brie in this sandwich. Any cheese that pairs well with the fruit in your spread will work as a substitute for brie. Personally, I recommend trying the recipe as written at least once though, it’s really good!
Finally, Heat your sandwich until toasty in a sandwich press, on a skillet, or in the oven. Cut and serve warm! Enjoy, darlings…
Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Take your hot ham and cheese sandwich to the next level with this easy ham sandwich recipe! It's a little sweet, a little savory, and a great leftover ham recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread of your choice
- 1 tablespoon apple butter
- 2-3 slices cooked ham
- 1-2 slices brie cheese
- nonstick spray or butter for grill or skillet
Instructions
- Preheat your sandwich press or skillet over medium heat. Line with aluminum and brush lightly with butter or spray with nonstick spray.
- Set out your sliced bread. Spread a little of the apple butter on both slices of bread.
- Layer the ham and cheese. Close the sandwich and place on the sandwich press for 3-5 minutes until the cheese has melted. If using a skillet, us your spatula to gently press down on the sandwich as it cooks.
- Slice and serve warm!
Notes
- If you are using leftover ham that is cold from the freezer, your sandwich will be ready faster if you warm the ham slightly before assembly.
- If you are making a large batch of sandwiches, use your oven! Set the sandwiches on am aluminum foil-lined baking sheet, then cover with another sheet of aluminum. Place a heavy baking sheet on top of the second sheet of aluminum foil and bake in a 350 F oven for 5-8 minutes until the cheese has melted and the sandwiches are warmed through. EASY grilled cheese for a crowd!
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