Description
Comforting ham and pea pasta brings Italian-style simplicity to weeknight dinners. Quick ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a creamy, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini)
- 1 cup cooked ham, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup heavy cream
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon (optional)
Garnish Ingredients:
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup pasta water (reserved from cooking the pasta)
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious pot of generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until it reaches perfect al dente texture, maintaining a slight firmness. Carefully extract and preserve some pasta liquid before straining the noodles.
- Select a substantial skillet and warm olive oil or butter over moderate heat. Introduce diced ham, allowing it to develop golden edges while stirring intermittently. Incorporate minced garlic and allow its aromatic essence to permeate the pan for a brief moment.
- Gently fold tender green peas into the skillet alongside rich heavy cream, aged Parmesan, freshly cracked black pepper, delicate salt, and fragrant Italian seasoning. Allow the mixture to gently simmer, gradually thickening and melding flavors.
- Transfer the cooked pasta directly into the creamy skillet, using careful movements to ensure complete coating. Should the sauce appear overly dense, incrementally introduce reserved pasta water, creating a luxuriously smooth consistency. For a bright note, incorporate a splash of zesty lemon juice.
- Artfully plate the pasta, embellishing with additional Parmesan shavings, finely chopped parsley, or a sprinkle of fiery red pepper flakes. Present immediately alongside crusty garlic bread or a crisp, verdant salad for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Swap ham with turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that still delivers delicious flavor.
- Accommodate vegetarian diets by replacing ham with crispy tofu, roasted mushrooms, or plant-based protein crumbles for similar texture.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising the creamy, comforting essence of the dish.
- Control sauce consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water, ensuring a silky smooth texture that clings perfectly to each pasta strand.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 583
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg