Luscious Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Comfort meets culinary delight in this cheesy ham pasta that promises to warm your soul on chilly evenings.

Tender pasta swirls dance with savory ham chunks in a creamy, irresistible sauce.

Packed with rich flavors and gooey cheese, this dish turns an ordinary meal into a spectacular feast.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of salty ham and melted cheese that speaks directly to your taste buds.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

The combination of pasta, ham, and cheese creates a symphony of textures and tastes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to be transported to a world of pure deliciousness with this ultimate comfort food experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients Breakdown For Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta

• Pasta: Provides hearty foundation for the dish, choose short shapes like penne or fusilli that cradle the creamy sauce perfectly.

• Ham, Chicken Broth: Delivers savory depth and protein punch, opt for high-quality diced ham with minimal fat for cleaner flavor profile.
• Onion, Garlic: Builds aromatic base layer, select fresh, firm onions and garlic for maximum flavor intensity.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Creates smooth cooking foundation and adds subtle richness.
• Flour: Essential for thickening sauce and creating silky texture.
• Milk, Heavy Cream: Generates luxurious, velvety sauce consistency.
• Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella, Parmesan: Melts into decadent sauce, bringing complex tangy and creamy notes.
• Black Pepper, Salt, Italian Seasoning: Elevates overall taste profile, balancing and brightening dish's flavor spectrum.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, fresh garnish with subtle herbal notes.

Tools And Supplies For Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly and draining water.
• Large Skillet: Key for creating creamy sauce and combining ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending milk, broth, and ensuring a smooth sauce without lumps.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and ham into precise pieces.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring sauce and mixing pasta without scratching skillet.
• Colander: Helps drain pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Optional Baking Dish: Useful if you want to create a baked version of the pasta.
• Cheese Grater: Handy for freshly grating Parmesan or additional cheese.

How To Make Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta

• Boil Pasta Until Perfectly Tender

Grab a big pot and salt the water generously. Cook pasta until it’s just right – tender but still has a little bite. Drain and set aside while you whip up the magic sauce.

• Sizzle Onions and Ham

Warm up your skillet with a splash of butter and olive oil. Toss in chopped onions and let them dance until soft and golden. Add minced garlic for a quick 30-second flavor boost. Slide in diced ham and let it crisp up nicely.

• Create Velvety Cheese Sauce

Dust the ham with flour and stir to coat. Pour in milk and broth slowly, whisking to create a silky smooth base. Let the sauce bubble and thicken. Dump in a mix of cheeses – cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan – stirring until they melt into creamy perfection. Splash in some heavy cream for extra richness.

• Marry Pasta and Sauce

Pour the luscious sauce over your cooked pasta. Toss everything together until each noodle is generously coated. Want to kick it up a notch? Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with extra cheese, and bake until golden and bubbly.

• Serve and Enjoy

Scatter some fresh parsley on top and add a final sprinkle of Parmesan. Slide this comfort dish onto plates and watch everyone’s eyes light up. Pair with a crisp salad or crusty bread for a meal that’ll make everyone happy.

Helpful Ideas And Tweaks For Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta

• Pasta Perfection Trick: Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining. This secret liquid helps create a silkier, more cohesive sauce if the mixture seems too thick.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap regular pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, gluten-free version that still delivers incredible flavor and creamy texture.
• Protein Power-Up: Replace ham with rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon bits, or smoked turkey for a delicious protein variation that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Skip the ham and add roasted vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to create a hearty meatless pasta that's equally satisfying and nutritious.
• Spice Lover's Twist: Kick up the heat by adding red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne, or a spoonful of hot sauce to give the creamy sauce an extra zingy dimension that'll wake up your taste buds.

How To Serve Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta With Style

• Salad Symphony: Crisp mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a light vinaigrette complement the rich pasta perfectly, balancing the creamy sauce with fresh, tangy notes.
• Bread Buddy: Warm, crusty garlic bread or toasted herb focaccia provides a delightful crunch and helps soak up the delicious cheesy sauce, elevating the entire dining experience.
• Veggie Vibrance: Roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus add color, nutrition, and a slight char that cuts through the pasta's creamy texture, creating a well-rounded meal.
• Wine Pairing: A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay matches wonderfully with the ham and cheese, bringing out subtle flavors and making the meal feel extra special.

Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta Prep And Storage Tips

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover creamy ham cheese pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Smart Cooling Technique: Allow pasta to cool completely before refrigerating. This prevents condensation and maintains sauce consistency. Recommended storage duration is 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheating Magic Trick: Revive chilled pasta by adding a splash of milk or chicken broth when warming. Gently reheat in microwave or stovetop, stirring occasionally to restore creamy texture. Avoid overheating to prevent sauce separation.
• Freezing Friendly Method: Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating. Note that cream-based sauces might slightly change texture after freezing, but taste remains delicious.

Cheesy Comfort Ham Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Comforting creamy ham cheese pasta emerges as a quick weeknight dinner solution for busy families. Rich blend of savory ham, melted cheese, and silky sauce ensures hearty satisfaction you’ll crave again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 300 g (10 oz) pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
• 1 ½ cups (225 g) diced cooked ham
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta to al dente perfection, reserving a small amount of cooking liquid before draining.
2. Aromatic Foundation: In a skillet, combine butter and olive oil, sautéing onions until translucent and releasing their delicate sweetness.
3. Flavor Building: Introduce minced garlic and diced ham, cooking until the ham edges caramelize with a golden-brown hue.
4. Sauce Base Creation: Sprinkle flour over the ham and onion mixture, stirring to eliminate raw flour notes and create a smooth foundation.
5. Liquid Integration: Gradually whisk milk and chicken broth into the skillet, allowing the sauce to simmer and develop a luxurious, velvety consistency.
6. Cheese Fusion: Melt cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan into the sauce, incorporating heavy cream to enhance the richness and create a decadent cheese blend.
7. Seasoning Harmony: Elevate the sauce with freshly ground black pepper, salt, and Italian herbs, adjusting to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
8. Final Assembly: Combine pasta with the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is generously coated, then transfer to a baking dish.
9. Baking and Finishing: Sprinkle additional cheese on top and bake until the surface turns golden and bubbling, creating a crisp, appetizing crust. Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan, then serve alongside a crisp salad or roasted vegetables for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Manage Pasta Texture: Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness when mixed with creamy sauce, ensuring each bite maintains a pleasant firm resistance.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk milk and broth gradually and consistently to avoid lumps, creating a smooth, velvety sauce without grainy or clumpy texture.
• Control Cheese Melting: Add cheeses off direct heat and stir continuously, allowing them to melt slowly and integrate smoothly without becoming stringy or oily.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute ham with turkey or plant-based protein for lighter version, use gluten-free flour and pasta for celiac-friendly adaptation, and swap dairy milk with almond or oat milk for lactose-free alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg