Jambalaya with Ham – Easy Jambalaya Rice Recipe

Jambalaya with Ham is the perfect leftover ham recipe after the holidays.  This quick and easy jambalaya rice recipe is a one pan version that comes together in 30 minutes.  This is a jambalaya recipe without shrimp.

Jambalaya with Ham Recipe:

I don’t know about you but I’m always looking for leftover ham recipes. So much so, that I’ve created a whole blog post dedicated to leftover ham recipes.  Find that blog post here.

That’s how I found this quick jambalaya recipe in my 100 Years of Good Cooking: Minnesota Centennial Cook Book.   This easy jambalaya calls for cubed ham which is always in abundance after a holiday.  I made Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham in the Crock Pot for Easter, and now I have extra ham to use up.

The recipe jumped out at me because it had just a handful of easy ingredients – canned diced tomatoes, white rice, green pepper, onion, garlic and cubed ham. In addition, it only uses one pan (easy cleanup), and it only cooks for 30 minutes.

What is Jambalaya?

Jambalaya is a popular Louisiana dish that consists of meat and vegetables mixed with rice. Usually, it has some sort of sausage and a smoked meat with pork or chicken and seafood, like shrimp. It is one of those dishes that you think of when you think about New Orleans.

The good news is that jambalaya is easy to make with just a handful of ingredients that you might already have at home. Our jambalaya without shrimp instead uses cubed ham making it the perfect recipe to use up leftover ham sitting in your refrigerator.

Easy Jambalaya Rice Ingredients

Butter

Ham, cubed

Green pepper, diced

Onion, diced

Garlic, minced

Canned, Diced tomatoes (with juices)

White Rice (not instant)

Water

Tabasco sauce (optional)

 

How to Make Quick Jambalaya with Ham:

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat; add ham and brown lightly.
2. To the skillet, add chopped onions and green peppers and cook for 5 minutes; add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
3. Stir in un-drained tomatoes, water, rice and Tabasco (optional).  Cover tightly with a lid, and simmer for 30 minutes or until rice is cooked. Gently stir occasionally. Season with salt to taste.

For the full recipe for Quick Jambalaya with Ham, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Notes about One Pan Jambalaya with Ham:

• This version of jambalaya is special because it’s a jambalaya without shrimp.  Instead we use ham.
• Cook this in a skillet that has a tight fitting lid like this one.
• Use canned diced tomatoes; do not drain.
• A 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes can be substituted for (2) 14.5 ounce cans.
• Jarred minced garlic can be used.  Be sure not to let the garlic burn.
• Use regular white rice, not the instant variety.
• Check out our Amazon Store to see some of our favorite pantry essentials and kitchen tools.
• Tabasco is 100% optional.  My family does not like heat; so I omit.  If your family likes it really spicy, add more than the 1/8 teaspoon that the recipe calls for.
• I love how this is a one pan jambalaya recipe.  This makes for easy cleanup.
• My favorite recipe for a spiral ham is this 3 Ingredient version featuring orange cream soda in the crock pot.

Our Favorite Leftover Ham Recipes:

This is a great leftover ham recipe. I make a ham for the holidays, and I use the leftovers for a variety of meals in the days following. Here are some of our favorite recipes using ham.

Mom’s Cheesy Ham and Potatoes

Ham and Cheese Quiche

Leftover Ham and Noodle Casserole

Ham Salad

Cheddar Chowder with Ham

Instant Pot Ham and Beans