Pasta with Peas and Ham
Pasta with Peas and Ham is a quick, creamy, and comforting dish ready in 20-25 minutes. Cook pasta, sauté onions, garlic, ham, and peas, then simmer with cream and broth. Toss with pasta, Parmesan, and season. Serve hot!
Ingredients
- 12 oz 340g pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle work well)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup 150g cooked ham, diced
- 1 cup 150g frozen peas, thawed
- 1 cup 240ml heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup 120ml chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup 50g grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add ham and peas: Stir in the diced ham and thawed peas. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the peas are tender and the ham is lightly browned.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Let the sauce thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Add cheese and season: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.