Holiday Ham Pot Pies
Hungry Yet?
Alright, fellow kitchen warriors, gather ’round! We’re diving headfirst into a world of cheesy, meaty goodness with Holiday Ham Pot Pies. Ever had one of those days when the weather is gloomy, and you just need something warm and comforting to fix your mood? Well, let me tell you, these pot pies will not only bring the feel-good vibes but will also make you feel like a culinary rockstar—without breaking a sweat. So, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get cooking!
Why This Recipe is Awesome
Let’s face it: the holidays can be chaotic. Between juggling family, social gatherings, and endless lists of things to do, who has time for fancy meals? That’s where these Holiday Ham Pot Pies shine! They’re like a hug in a dish, mixing flavors that’ll have you reminiscing about cozy family dinners. Imagine a flaky crust dripping with creamy ham filling that’s almost too good to share—but we’ll work on that. Seriously, though, the beauty of this dish is that it takes leftover holiday ham and transforms it into something special. It’s like magic, but with food.
These pot pies also grant you the power of versatility! Want to toss in some leftover veggies? Go for it! This dish practically screams, “Use your creativity!” Plus, you’re left with these adorable little ramekins full of homestyle goodness—perfect for impressing your friends or just indulging in a solo feast while binge-watching your favorite series.
Grab These Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these delicious beauties. Get your shopping list ready!
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter – Because butter makes everything better, duh!
- Salt to taste – Don’t skimp on the flavor, my friend.
- 1/2 cup diced onions – Cry now; thank me later.
- 1/3 cup diced carrots – A little color never hurt anyone!
- 1/3 cup diced celery – We’re creating a veggie party here.
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour – For your creamy sauce magic!
- 2 cups chicken broth – The lifeblood of comfort food.
- 1/4 cup cream – Just think of it as the cherry on top.
- 1 cup cubed ham – Hello, leftover magic!
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary – Gives it that fancy touch.
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper – Spice it up!
- Pinch cayenne – For that little kick, you know?
- 1/4 cup water (or as needed) – Keep it fluid, folks.
- 1/2 cup frozen peas – The secret agent of color and sweetness.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour – We love a good dough!
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt – More flavor vibes.
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter – Yep, butter again. Trust me.
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon water (or as needed) – Hydration for the dough!
- 1 large egg – For that golden, shiny crust.
- 1 teaspoon water – To make your egg wash even more powerful!
Cook It Like a Pro
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of making these tasty pot pies. Ready? Let’s do this!
Melt butter with a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery, sauté until the onions become translucent (about 3–5 minutes). Next, stir in the flour and cook for an additional 2 minutes until it turns golden brown.
Pour in chicken broth and stir constantly until it thickens. This is where the magic begins!
Add cream, ham, rosemary, pepper, and cayenne. Give it a splash of water, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Toss in the peas, taste, and adjust the seasoning. Set aside to cool and pop it in the fridge.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a sheet pan with foil—don’t skip this; you don’t want a clean-up disaster.
Mix the salt into flour in a bowl, then create a well in the center.
Bring butter and water to a simmer. As soon as the butter is almost melted, pour it into the flour. Stir until it’s just coming together and cool enough to handle.
Knead the dough briefly, then shape it into a disc. Sprinkle with cold water if it feels too dry.
Roll it out to about 1/8-inch thick. Cut into four pieces, and cover the rest with a plate.
Cut a larger circle from one piece for the lid. Gather up the rest, press into a disc, and roll out for the bottom crust—making sure it fits your ramekin nicely.
Fill your crust with the cooled ham mixture—don’t be shy, pack it in!
Whisk the egg with a teaspoon of water in a small bowl to make your egg wash. Brush it around the crust’s edge and the top crust.
Seal those edges! You can use a fork for that fancy crimped look.
Cut a hole in the center to vent steam. Repeat for the remaining pies, placing them on your sheet pan.
Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling—about 1 hour. I promise, the aroma will have you pacing!
Serve hot, either straight from the ramekin or let cool and fancy it up for extra Instagram points.
Rookie Mistakes to Skip
Listen up—don’t mess this up! Here are some classic pitfalls to avoid:
- Don’t get too excited and skip the cooling time for your filling. It’ll make assembling way easier and prevent a crust disaster.
- Keep it seasoned! Seriously, skimping on seasoning is a fast track to flavor-drought-ville.
- Using dried herbs instead of fresh? Rookie mistake! Fresh herbs really amp up the flavor. Don’t be basic.
Tweak It Your Way
Feeling adventurous? Here are some fun swaps you can try:
- No rosemary? Basil works like a charm! Just imagine those Italian vibes sneaking in.
- Not a ham fan? Rotisserie chicken can do the trick. We’re all about flexibility here!
- Got leftover veggies? Toss ‘em in! Corn, green beans, whatever you have lying around can add a fun twist.
Curious? Here’s Answers
- Can I use oil instead of butter? Sure, but why downgrade? Butter is where the magic is at!
- Can I prep this early? You bet! Just prep your filling and store it in the fridge. The dough can chill too.
- Do these freeze well? Absolutely! Just assemble, freeze, and bake when you’re ready to fill your belly.
- Can I use a store-bought crust? Is that even a question? Of course, you can, but come on—where’s the fun in that?
- What if I burn the crust? You’ll cry. Or just turn it into a “charred gourmet” dish and own it!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, your very own Holiday Ham Pot Pies—a dish that screams comfort while making you look like a kitchen pro. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or hogging them all for yourself (no judgment here!), these pot pies are pure joy in a crust. So, put on your favorite music, grab a spoon, and get ready to dive into that deliciousness. Happy cooking!
Holiday Ham Pot Pies
Ingredients
Method
- Melt butter with a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add the onions, carrots, and celery; sauté until the onions become translucent (about 3–5 minutes).
- Stir in the flour and cook for an additional 2 minutes until it turns golden brown.
- Pour in chicken broth and stir constantly until it thickens.
- Add cream, ham, rosemary, pepper, and cayenne.
- Add a splash of water, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Toss in the peas, taste, and adjust the seasoning. Set aside to cool and refrigerate.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a sheet pan with foil.
- Mix the salt into flour in a bowl, then create a well in the center.
- Bring butter and water to a simmer, then pour it into the flour and stir until it’s just coming together.
- Knead the dough briefly and shape it into a disc. Sprinkle with cold water if it feels too dry.
- Roll it out to about 1/8-inch thick and cut into four pieces.
- Cut a larger circle from one piece for the lid.
- Press the remaining dough into a disc and roll it out for the bottom crust.
- Fill your bottom crust with the cooled ham mixture.
- Whisk the egg with a teaspoon of water to make the egg wash and brush it around the crust's edge and top.
- Seal the edges with a fork for a crimped look.
- Cut a hole in the center to vent steam and repeat for remaining pies.
- Bake until the crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling, about 1 hour.
- Serve hot or let cool, and enjoy!