A Can-Do Dinner Mood
Spam gets a bad rap, but honestly, it can be a weeknight hero if you treat it like the savory shortcut it is. It’s already cooked, it crisps up beautifully, and it plays well with everything from noodles and potatoes to rice and veggies! If you’ve got a can in the pantry and you’re wondering what to make for dinner, these plates will help you turn it into something satisfying and surprisingly craveable.
1. Crispy Spam Fried Rice
Who doesn’t love a bowl of fries rice? For this dish, all you need to do is dice the Spam and pan-fry it until the edges turn golden and a little crackly. Toss in cold rice, peas, carrots, and a splash of soy sauce so everything gets glossy and bold. A scrambled egg and sliced green onions give it that takeout-at-home vibe.
2. Spam Musubi Bowls
Skip the seaweed wrapping and build it like a bowl so it’s faster and just as tasty. Layer rice with sliced, seared Spam and drizzle on a sweet soy glaze to get that taste you know and love. You can also add cucumber, avocado, or shredded carrots for that added bit of crunch.
3. Spam and Cheddar Breakfast Hash
Breakfast for dinner, anyone? Spam works great in the morning alongside chopped potatoes! Cut them into small cubes and let them crisp in a hot skillet until they’re browned. Stir in Spam pieces and onions, melt cheddar on top, and crack an egg in if you want that added dose of protein.
4. Spam Carbonara Pasta
This isn’t the carbonara you’re used to, but that’s no reason to ignore it. After you cook spaghetti, save a bit of pasta water—it’s the secret sauce helper. From there, crisp thin Spam strips in a pan, then toss them with hot pasta, Parmesan, and egg off the heat so it turns silky instead of scrambled. Black pepper makes the whole thing even better.
5. Pineapple Spam Stir-Fry
We all love savory and sweet, and there’s no reason Spam shouldn’t join in on the fun. Sear chunks until they’ve got color, then pull them aside. Stir-fry bell peppers, onion, and pineapple before putting the Spam back in. Splash in soy sauce and serve it over rice for a simple weeknight meal.
6. Spam Tacos With Spicy Slaw
When you cut Spam into thin sticks and crisp them up, you’ll get all kinds of crunchy flavor. That’s all you need with a few warm tortillas, cabbage, lime, and a little hot sauce. Tacos are flexible, too, so don’t be afraid to sprinkle in cilantro or top with shredded cheese.
7. Spam Ramen Upgrade
We know those sauce packets can be pretty dicey, but you’ll want to hang onto them for this one! Pan-fry Spam slices until browned, then toss in a soft-boiled egg and some scallions. You’ll be left with a bowl that tastes way more impressive than it should.
8. Spam Mac and Cheese
Who said Spam couldn’t co-star alongside your favorite dishes? All you need to do is dice Spam and brown it in butter—the salty bites cut through the richness in the best way! You can even sprinkle crushed crackers or panko on top and broil your dish until it gets toasty.
9. Spam and Potato Corn Chowder
There’s nothing like corn chowder on a cold day, and Spam only makes it better. Sauté onions and celery, then add potatoes and broth, stir in cubed Spam, and add a splash of milk to top it off! With a handful of corn, it’ll turn it into the kind of bowl you’ll scrape clean.
10. Spam Pizza With Jalapeños
Pizza doesn’t have to be anything fancy; store-bought dough or a flatbread works just as well. From there, you can scatter thin Spam slices over sauce and cheese, then add jalapeños for a little spicy kick. Then, just bake it until the Spam edges curl, and the cheese bubbles.
11. Spam Grilled Cheese
Bet you didn’t know that a bit of fried Spam works incredibly well in grilled cheese. Well, now you do! The combo of gooey mozza and salty meat hits that nostalgic sweet spot deep in our stomachs, and you can get even crazier with hot sauce or different kinds of cheese. Also, don’t be afraid to serve it with tomato soup or just dip it in ketchup if you’re one of those guys.
12. Spam and Kimchi Udon
Udon noodles are an ultimate comfort, and Spam is the wild ingredient that makes it exciting. Sear a few slices, then stir in kimchi and a touch of sesame oil so the pan captures every flavor you’re after. Toss the noodles in and finish with sesame seeds for a dinner the whole table can enjoy.
13. Spam Stuffed Baked Potatoes
There’s no reason Spam can’t help out with your sides!. Once you crisp it, you can mix it with sour cream, chives, and shredded cheese, and pile it right into the middle of a fluffy baked potato. Let it melt together, and you’ve got a full meal that’s mostly hands-off.
14. Spam and Peppers Hoagie
With a bit of sautéed onions and bell peppers, sliced Spam can help bring the classic hoagie to life. Pile everything into a roll and drizzle on mustard or mayo, depending on your mood! It’s messy, but it’s totally worth the napkin.
15. Spam Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps
If you couldn’t already guess, thinly sliced Spam works incredibly well with soy sauce—but that’s not all. Brown sugar, garlic, and ginger also complement the canned stuff, and if you spoon it into crisp lettuce leaves, you’ll have a new twist on bulgogi wraps. You can even add a little sriracha if you want that added punch.
16. Spam Alfredo With Broccoli
Forget about chicken. Forget about shrimp, too. Crisp Spam bits work in a pinch with pasta, broccoli, and a creamy Alfredo sauce. You don’t need to stray further than that, either; a squeeze of lemon at the end keeps it light and familiar.
17. Spam and Biscuit Pot Pie Skillet
If you have a skillet at home, you don’t need more than carrots, peas, onions, diced Spam, and gravy for this dish. Drop biscuit dough on top and bake until the biscuits puff and turn golden. When you scoop into it, you’ll get a cozy pot pie without the fussy crust.
Jessica Kantak Bailey on Unsplash
18. Spam Sushi Rolls
It sounds a little unorthodox, but stay with us! Spread rice on a sheet of nori, then add Spam strips, cucumber, and avocado. Roll it up tight, slice it, and dunk it in soy sauce or a dab of wasabi. It makes a fun kitchen experiment that’s also weirdly tasty.
19. Spam Jambalaya
Sautéed onion, celery, and bell pepper build the base for this one, though you’ll need a few more ingredients on top of them. Rice and Cajun seasoning make way for a few pieces of cubed Spam and shrimp. The pairing is better than you think, and your jambalaya still keeps its classic taste.
20. Spam and Rice Casserole
You can never go wrong with cooked rice, especially not when it’s mixed with sautéed Spam, cream of mushroom soup, and a handful of shredded cheese. Bake it until the top sets and the sides get those crispy, then sprinkle parsley or green onions on top. Trust us, everyone will fight over it.
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