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Creamy Ham Peas and Pasta First Image

Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta


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  • Author: Chef John
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: None

Description

A delicious creamy pasta dish with ham and peas.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz medium-cut pasta (casarecce, rotini, penne, or bowties recommended)
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 21/2 cups diced ham steak (from a 1lb bone-in ham steak)
  • 2 cloves garlic (pressed or minced)
  • 11/4 cups frozen sweet peas
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil then add the pasta and cook until it’s just shy of al dente. Before draining, carefully scoop out 1 cup pasta cooking water then drain the pasta and set it aside.
  2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet with high sides over medium-high heat. Add the ham then sauté until hot, 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic then sauté until very fragrant, 1 minute. Add the peas then sauté until hot, 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add the heavy cream then bring to a simmer while stirring constantly. Once simmering, turn the heat down slightly then cook while stirring until the cream has slightly thickened and reduced, 2-3 minutes. Add the parmesan cheese then stir to combine.
  4. Add the drained pasta plus a splash of pasta cooking water (start with 2-3 Tablespoons) into the skillet then cook while stirring until the pasta is cooked through and the sauce clings to the pasta, 4-5 minutes. Add more pasta cooking water as needed to create a light sauce.
  5. Add pepper and a little salt then let the dish sit and the sauce thicken for 5 minutes before serving. The pasta will continue to absorb the sauce as it cools.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure the pasta is al dente before mixing with the sauce.
  • Adjust the seasoning to taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 600
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 900mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 70g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg