Vibrant pasta with sweet spring peas, savory ham, and creamy sauce—a quick, comforting dish ready in just 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne pasta
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
→ Meat
05 - 1 cup cooked ham, diced
→ Dairy
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Seasonings
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional
# How to Cook:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Stir in the diced ham and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly browned and heated through.
04 - Add the peas and cook for 2 minutes until bright green. If using frozen peas, cook until heated through.
05 - Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Add the drained penne to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.
