forkue
Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta

Italian-American · Dinner · Easy

Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta

Total
25 min
Prep
10 min
Serves
4
Calories
590
Jump to recipe

Sweet peas and smoky ham fold through pasta in a light cream sauce with Parmesan and black pepper.

A quick sauce makes Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta useful for cooked ham left from another meal. The peas warm in the pasta water, saving a pan and keeping their color bright.

Dice the ham small enough to fit into a forkful with the pasta. Add Parmesan off the heat and loosen with cooking water so the sauce stays silky rather than clumping.

CreamySavory30 MinuteWeeknightLeftoversNut-freeEgg-free

Method

  1. Boil the penne in a large pot of water for , adding the frozen peas during the final . Reserve 1 cup cooking water and drain.

  2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the cooked ham for until hot and lightly browned. Add the garlic for .

  3. Stir in the heavy cream and black pepper and simmer for . Add the pasta, peas and 1/4 cup reserved water.

  4. Remove from the heat and fold in the Parmesan. Toss until smooth, adding more reserved water if the sauce feels tight.

Forkue tips

  • Taste before adding salt at the table; ham and Parmesan usually supply plenty.

Storing and reheating

Store leftover creamy ham and pea pasta in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk over low heat, stirring gently so the cream sauce loosens without separating.

Kitchen gear

Large potTop picks on AmazonLarge skilletTop picks on Amazon
Forkue may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Nutrition per serving, estimated

590Calories
28gProtein
69gCarbs
22gFat

Image: AI-generated picture of the finished dish, made by Forkue. Yours will look like home cooking.

Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta: FAQ

Can I use leftover baked ham?

Yes. Trim away any very sweet glaze and dice the meat into small pieces before warming it in the butter.

Can I swap the peas?

Small broccoli florets work if added to the boiling pasta early enough to become tender; chop them to a similar bite-size scale.

How do I store and reheat Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta?

Store leftover creamy ham and pea pasta in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk over low heat, stirring gently so the cream sauce loosens without separating.

How long does Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta take?

About 25 min in total: 10 min prep and 15 min cooking.

What do I need to make Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta?

The key ingredients are penne, cooked ham, frozen peas, heavy cream, parmesan and butter, plus pantry basics.

Any tips for Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta?

Taste before adding salt at the table; ham and Parmesan usually supply plenty.

Cook this next

More pastaMore hamMore peasMore cream