Creamy Ham Pasta With Peas

ham and pea pasta in a white bowl with a bronze spoon.

5 from 1 rating

This creamy ham pasta with peas is a simple meal that is delicious, homemade comfort food. It combines leftover ham, convienent frozen peas, and an easy homemade cream sauce. This one-pan dinner also makes incredible leftovers.

Prep Time10

Cook Time12

Total Time22

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Fusion

Keyword: ham and pea pasta, pasta with ham

Servings:

Author: Sarah Cook

Equipment

Ingredients

16 oz dry rotini noodles
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp olive oil
5 cloves garlic {finely minced}
2 tbsp shallot {finely minced}
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white cooking wine
3/4 cup chicken stock {sub in vegetable broth if needed}
2/3 cup whole milk {warmed}
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp lemon zest {~1 medium lemon}
1/3 cup shredded parmesan
2 cups chopped ham
1 cup green peas
4 oz cream cheese {warmed}

Instructions

In a large saucepan bring 3 quarts of salted water to a boil.
Add rotini noodles and cook until al dente, ~7 minutes. Make the sauce while the pasta cooks.
16 oz dry rotini noodles
Drain all but ¼ cup of water from the rotini. Keep noodles in the saucepan with 1/4 cup of pasta water.
In a large deep frying pan heat butter and olive over medium heat.
2 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp olive oil
Add garlic and the shallots. Stir until the garlic and shallots are starting to soften, and a few of the pieces are starting to brown. ~2-3 minutes.
5 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp shallot
Sprinkle flour over the top of the garlic, and whisk to combine. Cook for 2 minutes.
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
Slowly whisk in white wine, chicken stock, warmed whole milk, kosher salt, black pepper, and lemon zest, whisking constantly to incorporate.
1/4 cup white cooking wine, 3/4 cup chicken stock, 2/3 cup whole milk, 2 tsp lemon zest, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, 1 tsp kosher salt
Increase the temperature to medium-high heat and whisk constantly while it cooks at a near boil for 2 minutes, or until thickened.
Reduce heat and add the cooked rotini noodles, 1/4 cup pasta water, shredded Parmesan, chopped ham, frozen peas, and cream cheese to the lemon butter mixture.
1/3 cup shredded parmesan, 2 cups chopped ham, 1 cup green peas, 4 oz cream cheese
Stir to combine the pasta and sauce. Cook for 1 minute.

Notes

Make sure you warm the milk before adding it to the butter sauce. Cold milk will curdle when it interacts with the hot pan and lemon zest.

Nutrition