Description
Creamy ham cheese pasta brings comfort and flavor to your dinner table with its rich, indulgent blend of savory ham and melted cheese. Hearty ingredients combine effortlessly, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (225 g) diced cooked ham
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 300 g (10 oz) pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and cook pasta until perfectly tender, achieving an al dente texture. Set aside a portion of pasta water before draining.
- Sear Ham Medley: In a spacious skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Introduce diced ham, browning it to create a golden, caramelized exterior for enhanced flavor profile.
- Craft Creamy Sauce: Gently cascade heavy cream into the skillet, allowing it to simmer. Integrate garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, whisking to create a harmonious flavor foundation.
- Cheese and Vegetable Integration: Fold shredded cheddar and Parmesan into the sauce, stirring until a velvety, smooth consistency emerges. Incorporate frozen peas, warming them through to maintain their vibrant color and texture.
- Final Assembly: Transfer cooked pasta into the skillet, thoroughly coating each strand with the luxurious sauce. Adjust sauce consistency by introducing reserved pasta water if needed, ensuring a perfect sauce-to-pasta ratio.
- Presentation: Sprinkle fresh parsley as a garnish, creating a visually appealing dish. Serve immediately, accompanied by crispy garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Save the starchy pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help the sauce cling better to the pasta, creating a silkier texture.
- Reduce heat when adding cheese and stir constantly to prevent burning and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce without clumping.
- Use medium-high heat and don’t overcrowd the pan to achieve perfect golden-brown ham edges that add extra flavor to the dish.
- Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta, use plant-based cheese and ham alternatives for vegetarian/vegan version, or replace cream with low-fat milk for a lighter recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg