When Christmas is over and the fridge is full of leftovers, it can feel overwhelming to know what to do with it all. But instead of letting the food go to waste, you can transform the leftovers into new, delicious dishes! Here are some simple and inspiring recipes that the whole family will love.
Oven-roasted hash with Christmas leftovers
A quick and easy way to take care of leftovers is to make a roasted hash. It is as simple as it is delicious and requires minimal effort. Use what you have at home and create a flavorful dish that the whole family will appreciate! Here you can use the leftovers you have and put them in the oven on a baking sheet. Perhaps you have potatoes, cabbage, small sausages, carrots, or other root vegetables left over from the Christmas celebration? Dice these into smaller pieces, place them in the oven on a baking sheet or fry them in a frying pan. Season with salt and pepper and add ketchup or mustard to taste.
Casserole with Christmas ham and cheese
If there is leftover Christmas ham or other smoked meat, you can make a creamy gratin that is perfect for dinner or a lunch box.
Ingredients (4 servings):
- 400 g Christmas ham, sliced
- 800 g boiled potatoes, sliced
- 2 dl cream
- 1 dl milk
- 2 dl grated cheese (preferably aged, like Västerbotten cheese)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp nutmeg (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Do this:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
- Layer potato slices and Christmas ham in an ovenproof dish.
- Whisk together cream, milk, mustard, and spices. Pour over the potatoes and ham.
- Sprinkle grated cheese on top and bake in the oven for about 25–30 minutes, until the gratin is golden and bubbly.
Salmon pasta with lemon flavor
After the extravagant meals of Christmas, it can be nice to have something that feels a bit lighter, yet still luxurious and flavorful. Do you have gravlax or smoked salmon left over from the Christmas table? Perfect! With a few simple ingredients, you can quickly transform the leftovers into a wonderfully fresh salmon pasta with citrus flavor.
Ingredients (4 servings):
- 400 g pasta (e.g. tagliatelle or spaghetti)
- 200 g smoked or cured salmon, sliced into strips
- 2 dl crème fraîche
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- 2 tbsp chopped dill
- Salt and pepper
Do this:
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package.
- In the meantime, mix crème fraîche with lemon zest, lemon juice, and dill in a large bowl.
- Mix the warm pasta with the sauce and gently fold in the salmon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, preferably with a little extra dill as a topping.
Pie with cabbage, cheese, and ham
Something that might not be used as much as meatballs and cocktail sausages is cabbage in various forms. Perhaps you have leftover kale, Brussels sprouts, or red cabbage without knowing what to do with it all? Instead of letting it go to waste, you can use it as a base in a lovely pie! Combined with creamy cheese and Christmas ham, it becomes a flavorful dish that is just as good for lunch as it is for dinner. Moreover, pie is perfect to prepare in advance and works great as a lunchbox meal.
Ingredients (approx. 4-6 servings):
Pie crust:
- 3 dl wheat flour
- 125 g butter, cold
- 2–3 tbsp cold water
Filling:
- 200 g cabbage (e.g. kale, Brussels sprouts or red cabbage), shredded
- 200 g diced Christmas ham
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 2 dl grated cheese (preferably a flavorful type, e.g. Västerbotten cheese or prästost)
Egg custard:
- 3 eggs
- 2.5 dl cream or milk
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
- Salt and pepper
Do this:
Prepare the pie dough:
- Pinch together butter and flour to a crumbly mixture. Add water and quickly work together into a dough.
- Roll out the dough and press it into a pie dish (about 24 cm in diameter). Prick the bottom with a fork and let it rest in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes.
Pre-bake the pie crust: - Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
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Pre-bake the pie crust for about 10 minutes until it starts to get a little color.
Prepare the filling: - Heat a frying pan and sauté the cabbage and onion in a little butter or oil until they soften. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
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Mix the sautéed cabbage with the Christmas ham and half of the grated cheese.
Add the filling: -
Distribute the cabbage and ham mixture evenly in the pre-baked pie crust.
Make the egg custard: - Whisk together eggs, cream (or milk), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour the egg mixture over the filling.
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Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top.
Bake the pie: - Bake the pie in the oven for about 25–30 minutes, or until the egg mixture has set and the pie has a nice, golden color.
- Serve: Let the pie cool slightly before serving. It is just as good warm as it is lukewarm, and goes perfectly with a fresh salad on the side.
Hearty sandwiches with Christmas leftovers
Making use of Christmas leftovers doesn't have to be difficult – with a little creativity, they can be transformed into new, delicious meals! A simple and quick solution is to make tasty sandwiches with different combinations of Christmas treats. Here are some ideas to inspire:
Meatball sandwich with beetroot salad
A classic way to enjoy Christmas meatballs anew is to make a juicy and flavorful sandwich.
Ingredients:
- A coarse bread (e.g. rye bread, sourdough bread or dark bread)
- 2–3 meatballs, sliced
- 2 tbsp beetroot salad
- Salad leaves or arugula
- A couple of slices of pickled cucumber
- A click of Dijon mustard (optional)
Here's how to do it:
- Toast the bread for a little extra crispiness.
- Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the bread if you want a little extra kick.
- Add lettuce leaves, sliced meatballs, and a generous dollop of beetroot salad.
- Top with some slices of pickled cucumber. Serve immediately!
Fresh salmon sandwich with cream cheese
For a lighter and fresher option, a salmon sandwich is perfect, especially if you have leftover cured or smoked salmon.
Ingredients:
- A soft or hard bread (e.g. crispbread, rye bread or seed crispbread)
- 3 slices of cured or smoked salmon
- 2 tbsp cream cheese (or other fresh cheese)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- A little dill for garnishing
- Salad leaves or a handful of baby spinach
- Possibly some capers for extra flavor
Here's how to do it:
- Mix the cream cheese with a splash of lemon juice and spread it on the bread.
- Add lettuce leaves or baby spinach.
- Distribute the salmon slices on top and garnish with dill and possibly a little capers.
- Squeeze a little more lemon for a fresh touch.
Herring sandwich with egg and potato
Leftover herring and potatoes can become a rustic and filling sandwich – perfect for brunch or lunch.
Ingredients:
- A dark bread (e.g. rye bread or sourdough)
- 1–2 slices of boiled potatoes
- 1 boiled egg, sliced
- 2 pieces of pickled herring
- 1 tbsp crème fraîche or sour cream
- A pinch of chopped chives or dill
Here's how to do it:
- Place slices of potato and egg on the bread.
- Place the herring on top and top with a dollop of crème fraîche or sour cream.
- Sprinkle over chopped chives or dill. Serve and enjoy!
Savor the flavors of Christmas
Cooking with leftovers is not only a great way to reduce food waste, but it is also a creative way to enjoy the flavors of Christmas. Whether you prefer to whip up a casserole, pasta dish, or a luxurious sandwich, there are many opportunities to discover new favorite dishes that the whole family can appreciate. No Christmas table is the same - everyone has different dishes and traditions. Therefore, it is important to be creative and find the right way to make use of your leftovers!
By rethinking and giving Christmas food a new life, you can save both time and money while contributing to a more sustainable everyday life. So before you consider throwing away the food – take a look in the fridge and let your creativity flow. Perhaps you'll come up with a new dish that is at least as appreciated as the Christmas table itself!
Psst! Read more recipes and tips for Christmas and New Year here!