Simple Pasta with Peas and Ham

Simple one-dish dinners are calling my name right now! I don’t often have the time or energy for something elaborate during our busiest time of day. I also love it when dinner can include a little meat, without it being the focus (in line with our “flexitarian” ways!). For this recipe, I used a “ham nugget,” instead of your typical deli meat ham, to get those nice cubes. I’ve seen them at both Whole Foods and Earth Fare near the other packaged deli meat, and I like how you can slice them however thick (or thin) you want.

And if you aren’t going to use the whole ham nugget at once, you can easily freeze the rest for a rainy day. Or, if you plan on making this meal again, consider dicing and freezing it in 8-ounce portions. You’ll definitely thank yourself later for that one!

Pasta with Peas and Ham Ingredients

• Whole-wheat noodles – I recommend egg pasta for this recipe.
• Olive oil – Extra virgin.
• Onion – Chopped.
• Ham – Use a ham nugget to get those nice cubes.
• Garlic – Minced.
• White wine – Dry
• Chicken broth – If you can, try making your own with this recipe for the slow cooker.
• Frozen peas – Inexpensive and convenient, I love having a bunch of frozen produce on hand for simple recipes like this one.
• Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is the best choice.
• Heavy cream –

How to Make my Simple Pasta with Peas and Ham

1. Cook pasta: Before anything, cook the pasta according to package directions and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water for the sauce.
2. Heat a large skillet: Cook the onion until it begins to soften and then stir in the ham and garlic for about 1 minute.
3. Pour in the liquids: Add the white wine until boiled down almost all the way. Then add the broth and reserved pasta water and bring to a boil. Simmer the sauce for about 6-8 minutes until it thickens.
4. Stir in the other ingredients: Add the frozen peas, grated cheese, heavy cream and season with salt and pepper. Cook while stirring until everything is heated through. Garnish with extra Parmesan and serve!

Other Pasta Dishes You May Enjoy:

• Kale and Tomato Alfredo Pasta
• Tomato Basil Weeknight Pasta
• Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Lemon
• Roasted Cauliflower Pasta Recipe

Simple Pasta with Peas and Ham

A super simple pasta with peas and ham for those busy weeknights.

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 25 mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Method: Too Easy

Diet: Peanut/Tree Nut-Free

Print Recipe

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  

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• 1 pound whole-wheat noodles (egg pasta recommended), boiled according to package directions, with 1/2 cup pasta cooking water reserved for sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion chopped
• 8 ounces ham cut into small dice (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup starchy pasta cooking water
• 1 1/2 cups frozen peas no need to defrost
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• salt and pepper to taste
• extra Parmesan cheese freshly grated, for serving

Instructions

 

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion until it begins to soften, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in the ham and garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Pour in the white wine and cook until boiled down almost all the way, 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the broth and reserved pasta cooking water and bring to a boil. Turn down to medium-low and simmer until sauce thickens, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Stir in the frozen peas, grated cheese, and heavy cream and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook while stirring until heated all the way through and sauce is desired consistency. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and serve over cooked pasta.

Notes

We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Simple Pasta with Peas and Ham

Amount Per Serving

Calories 537 Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Fat 25g38%

Saturated Fat 12g75%

Cholesterol 93mg31%

Sodium 1160mg50%

Potassium 363mg10%

Carbohydrates 46g15%

Fiber 8g33%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 31g62%

Vitamin A 1070IU21%

Vitamin C 25mg30%

Calcium 343mg34%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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