Charming Ham & Pea Pasta Recipe: A Cozy Bowl of Joy

Comfort arrives with this creamy ham and pea pasta that promises a delightful weeknight dinner solution.

Tender pasta mingles with savory ham and sweet green peas in a luxurious sauce.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Weeknight meals rarely come together this quickly or taste this delicious.

Home cooks adore the simplicity of this one-pot wonder.

The combination of ingredients creates a satisfying meal that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

You’ll want to keep this recipe in your back pocket for those evenings when time is short and hunger is high.

Steps To Make Ham And Pea Pasta Creamy

• Boil Pasta Perfectly

Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring to a rolling boil. Drop in your pasta and cook until it’s tender but still has a little bite. Save a splash of the starchy water before draining.

• Sizzle Ham and Aromatics

Warm up a skillet with a drizzle of oil. Toss in diced ham and let it get golden and crispy. Quickly add minced garlic and let it dance around the pan until it releases its fragrant magic.

• Create Luscious Sauce

Pour in cream and sprinkle Parmesan. Stir in some green peas and season with a pinch of pepper. Let everything bubble and meld together into a creamy dream for about two minutes.

• Marry Pasta and Sauce

Slide the cooked pasta into the skillet. Toss everything together so each noodle gets coated in the luxurious sauce. If it looks too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to make it silky smooth.

• Finish with Flair

Transfer to plates and crown with extra Parmesan. Scatter some chopped herbs on top if you’re feeling fancy. Serve immediately and watch everyone dig in with pure joy.

Tips To Mix Flavors In Ham And Pea Pasta

• Quick Pasta Rescue Hack: Keep your pasta water starchy and salty – it's liquid gold for creating silky, clingy sauces that perfectly coat every noodle.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep components in advance by cooking pasta and chopping ham earlier, then quickly assemble the dish when ready to serve for a speedy weeknight meal.
• Protein Power-Up: Swap ham for rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, or plant-based protein like smoked tofu to match different dietary preferences and keep the dish exciting.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to create a luscious sauce that's completely lactose-free.
• Veggie Volume Boost: Experiment by adding roasted bell peppers, spinach, or asparagus to increase vegetable content and introduce extra nutrition and vibrant colors to your pasta.

Ways To Serve Ham And Pea Pasta Warm

• Rustic Family Dinner Delight: Serve this hearty pasta alongside a crisp green salad for a complete meal that balances richness and freshness.
• Elegant Appetizer Twist: Portion smaller servings in individual ramekins, garnish with fresh herbs, and present as a sophisticated starter for dinner parties.
• Wine Pairing Paradise: Match the creamy pasta with a light, crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the ham and creamy sauce.
• Leftover Magic Makeover: Transform remaining pasta into a cold pasta salad by chilling and adding extra vegetables like cherry tomatoes or cucumbers for a next-day lunch option.

Storage Ideas For Ham And Pea Pasta

• Fridge Fresh Tactics: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for 3-4 days, keeping the creamy sauce intact and flavors vibrant.
• Freezer Friendly Strategy: Freeze individual portions in sealed containers for up to 2 months, ensuring minimal texture loss by avoiding direct freezing of cream-based sauces.
• Quick Reheat Magic: Warm refrigerated pasta gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream, stirring frequently to restore original creamy consistency and prevent sauce separation.
• Lunch Prep Champion: Pack cold pasta for work or school lunches, using small containers to maintain portion control and keep ingredients fresh until mealtime.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 650 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need For Ham And Pea Pasta

• Pasta: Sturdy pasta shape that catches creamy sauce perfectly, choose short varieties like penne or rotini for best texture and sauce retention.

• Ham, Parmesan: Salty protein that adds rich, meaty depth with classic Italian cheese providing sharp, tangy undertones.

• Heavy Cream, Garlic, Black Pepper, Salt, Italian Seasoning, Lemon Juice: Silky cream base creating luxurious texture, garlic offering aromatic punch, spices bringing balanced warmth and brightness, lemon adding fresh, zesty finish.

• Peas, Parsley: Sweet green peas adding vibrant color and nutritional boost, fresh parsley delivering bright, herbal garnish.

• Olive Oil or Butter: Smooth, flavor-carrying base for sautéing ham and building initial sauce foundation, choose high-quality options for best taste.

Kitchen Tools For Ham And Pea Pasta

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta and holding plenty of salted water.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for sautéing ham, cooking sauce, and combining all ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for measuring cream, pasta water, and other ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Used for dicing ham and chopping optional garnishes like parsley.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise ham and herb chopping.

Creamy Ham And Pea Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy ham and pea pasta brings comfort to dinner tables with Italian-inspired simplicity. Hearty ingredients combine for a quick meal that satisfies hungry families in less than 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

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• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini)
• 1 cup cooked ham, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
• Juice of ½ lemon (optional)
• ½ cup pasta water (reserved from cooking the pasta)
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Extra Parmesan cheese
• Crushed red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Boiling Pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving a cup of pasta water before draining. The starchy liquid will be crucial for sauce consistency.
2. Sautéing Ham and Aromatics: In a spacious skillet, heat olive oil and sauté diced ham until edges turn golden brown. Add minced garlic and cook briefly, releasing its fragrant essential oils.
3. Creating Creamy Sauce: Introduce green peas, heavy cream, Parmesan, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Simmer gently, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken naturally. The mixture should develop a rich, velvety texture.
4. Combining Pasta and Sauce: Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy skillet, ensuring each strand is thoroughly coated. Adjust sauce consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water. Enhance brightness with a splash of lemon juice, balancing the rich flavors.
5. Serving and Garnishing: Transfer pasta to serving plates. Embellish with additional Parmesan shavings, freshly chopped parsley, and optional red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Serve immediately alongside garlic bread or a crisp salad for a complete meal.

Notes

• Pasta Water Preservation: Save some starchy pasta water before draining, as it’s crucial for adjusting sauce consistency and helping ingredients bind together seamlessly.
• Ham Selection Strategy: Choose high-quality, lean ham with minimal fat to prevent greasy texture and ensure clean, balanced flavor profile in the final dish.
• Cream Monitoring Technique: Simmer cream gently to prevent separation or curdling, stirring consistently and keeping heat moderate to maintain smooth sauce texture.
• Flavor Balancing Hack: Taste and adjust seasoning carefully, as ham already contains salt; add pepper, herbs, and lemon juice incrementally to enhance without overwhelming the dish’s delicate flavor harmony.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 34g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 61g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 23g
• Cholesterol: 90mg