One of the best finger foods to serve at any event, big or small, is a ham and cheese sandwich. But what goes with this comforting sandwich? Here are 11 tasty ideas.
Ham and cheese sandwiches hold a dear place in my heart. They are a long-standing favorite of mine, in their savory and cheesy-delicious glory. They’re great as an appetizer, as the main course for a quick weeknight dinner, as a recipe for game day, or as a holiday meal.
Keep reading for lots of tasty suggestions on what to eat with ham and cheese sandwiches to make a full meal!
A piece of meat with a bone-in gives maximum flavor when cooking. The bone helps to cook slower and cook more evenly because the bone conducts heat.
Most hams in the U. S. are cured and fully cooked when sold. But hams that are served with glaze can take up to a few hours to heat up and be ready to eat.
For a bone-in ham, you should plan on about half a pound per person, and for a boneless ham, you should plan on a third of a pound per person. Some will eat more, some less, but because leftovers can be used to make so many tasty meals, it evens out.
Yes, any meat can be cooked from frozen. If you do this, you should allow about 50% more cooking time.
Ham and cheese sliders are a quick and easy party appetizer, but what should you serve alongside these tasty little sandwiches? The good news is that sliders pair well with a variety of sides that can complement the flavor profile without overwhelming it.
When planning sides for ham and cheese sliders, think savory, creamy, crunchy, and fresh. You’ll want options that feel cohesive on a slider bar spread but also provide some variety. Here are 18 sensational recipes for sides that go great with ham and cheese sliders.
Hot Sides for Ham and Cheese Sliders
Warm, comforting sides are a perfect match for hot ham and cheese sliders straight off the grill or out of the oven Try these delicious hot side dishes
1. Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic pairing for ham that never goes out of style. For sliders opt for a grown-up decadent mac and cheese like this Million Dollar version loaded with cheese, butter, and cream. It’s rich, smooth, and ultra-cheesy – slider perfection!
2. Baked Beans with Brown Sugar and Bacon
Tangy-sweet baked beans spiked with brown sugar and bits of bacon complement the salty ham and melty cheese in the sliders. This classic bake is a crowd-pleasing slider partner.
3. Loaded Potato Salad
Forget mayo-based potato salads, this hot loaded potato salad is ideal for slider night. Cubed potatoes are tossed in a creamy cheddar and bacon sauce for a indulgent, comfort food side dish.
4. Creamed Corn
Slathered in cream and butter, creamed corn is a delightful accompaniment to ham sliders. Quick stove-top or slow cooker versions warm up this sweet corn side.
Fresh and Light Sides for Sliders
Clean, crisp flavors balance the rich ham and cheese in the slider patties. Turn to these fresh side dishes:
5. Greek Pasta Salad
This salad packed with olives, tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese makes a mediterranean-inspired slider side. The tangy flavors pair perfectly with the savory ham and cheese.
6. Italian Pasta Salad
For a fresh, summery twist, prepare an Italian pasta salad tossed with chopped vegetables in a zesty Italian dressing. Veggie options like bell peppers, zucchini, or broccoli complement the slider flavors.
7. Creamy Bacon Pea Pasta Salad
This unique pasta salad combines sugar snap peas, bacon, red onions, and a creamy dressing flavored with ranch and parmesan. It’s fresh yet filling – excellent for slider night.
8. Caprese Cups
Bite-sized tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil stacks served in lettuce cups offer mini-salads ideal for pairing with ham and cheese sliders. The fresh ingredients lighten up this slider party menu.
9. Roasted Broccoli
For veggie lovers, oven roasted broccoli florets are a nutritious and tasty choice. Drizzle on a lemony tahini sauce if you want an extra flavor punch.
10. Coleslaw
A vinegar-based coleslaw with shredded cabbage and carrots works with any slider. Make it creamy or tangy – either version offers crispness and acidity to balance the rich sliders.
More Fun Side Dishes for Sliders
Beyond classic sides, some outside-the-box options can make your slider night more fun. Consider these playful picks:
11. Air Fryer Potato Chips
Potato chips might seem unconventional, but homemade air fryer chips sprinkled with sea salt make an awesome crunchy, salty side for ham and cheese sliders. Kids and adults alike will love this snackable pairing.
12. Avocado Fries
For something completely different, try coating sliced avocado wedges in panko breadcrumbs and baking until crispy. These “fries” offer creamy contrast to the hearty sliders.
13. Fried Zucchini
Thin slices of zucchini dredged in flour and fried result in tasty veggie “fries.” Like avocado fries, these are lighter than potato fries but still satisfy that craving for something crispy.
14. Antipasto Salad
An Italian antipasto salad with cured meats, cheeses, vegetables, and olives provides Mediterranean flavors in one vibrant, well-rounded side dish. It’s fun for guests to pick and choose their own toppings.
15. Spinach Strawberry Salad
For a fruit-filled salad, combine fresh spinach with sweet strawberries, tangy feta, and crunchy almonds. The sweetness plays nicely against the savory sliders.
16. Creamy Pasta Salad
Macaroni, veggies, and shredded cheese tossed in a zippy creamy dressing makes this pasta salad a perfect pairing for the ham and cheese theme of the sliders.
Sweet Side Dishes
Add something sweet to your slider lineup to end the meal on a high note. Consider these sweet treats:
17. Perfect Fruit Salad
A colorful medley of bite-sized fresh fruit pieces makes a light and refreshing slider side. Toss the fruit with honey and lime juice for a sweet and tangy dressing.
18. Pina Colada Fruit Salad
For a tropical twist, soak pineapple chunks, mango, banana, strawberries and blueberries in coconut milk spiked with rum. The sweet fruits complement the savory sliders.
With so many fantastic sides to choose from, you can serve ham and cheese sliders any night of the week. Savory, spicy, crunchy, creamy, or fresh – the options are endless for amazing combinations. Pick two or three favorite side dishes and prepare to wow your guests with crave-worthy slider night menu.
Recipe Notes for Ham Sliders
- For a different taste, swap out the ham for thinly sliced turkey or roast beef deli meat.
- To add more flavor, switch out the yellow mustard for honey mustard or dijon mustard.
- You can use any melty cheese you like instead of provolone in these sandwiches. I like cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, or even Swiss cheese.
- If you want to make these sandwiches really tasty, use sweet Hawaiian rolls. But regular dinner rolls will also work.
- These are super easy to make ahead of time. Assemble the sandwiches as directed. Mix the topping together, but keep it in the fridge on its own. Just before baking, brush it on top of the sandwiches.
- This is a good recipe to freeze. Place them in a resealable bag and wrap in foil. Freeze for up to 4 months!.
- Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days in a container that doesn’t let air in and is covered with foil or plastic wrap.
- Ham in pineapple juice cooked in a crock pot is a simple holiday dinner or quick meal any time. You don’t have to do much to make this recipe work, and it makes a delicious dinner with the perfect glaze.
- The Instant Pot ham is ready in 30 minutes and has a tasty glaze that everyone will love. It’s easy to make for dinner or your next holiday meal.
- This Instant Pot Ham Bone Soup is made with a leftover ham bone. Dinner will be ready in less than an hour thanks to pressure cooking.
- You can use up any juicy ham you have left over by making ham bone soup. It’s full of great flavors and your crock pot will do all the work for you.
- This hot cheese dip is delicious and makes a great party food or weekend snack. Let your slow cooker make this delicious recipe for you!.
Velveeta Mac and Cheese
Super creamy homemade Velveeta Mac and Cheese is the ultimate family favorite recipe we’ve enjoyed for years. Easy, from scratch, baked macaroni and cheese is comfort food at its best!.
This easy Sauteed Cabbage recipe is the perfect quick and delicious side dish for any meal. You can’t go wrong with this easy, cheap, and delicious recipe that only takes 10 minutes and not many ingredients.
These horseradish mashed potatoes (from The Foreign Fork) are filled with chives, sour cream, milk, and horseradish. They are perfect as a side to red meat, including steak or prime rib.
Easy Ham and Cheese Sliders | The Recipe Rebel
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