February 2019 | The Honest Spoon

It’s February. It’s cold. My kids are craving comfort food. Hence, the request for “creamy pasta with ham & peas”. It doesn’t have a fancy name, everyone likes it, and it takes 20 minutes from start to finish. Sounds like a plan to me!!

In truth, it’s s lazy dinner. But it tastes FANTASTIC! It’s a great midweek meal, or an impressive pasta to serve at a dinner party. You can double or triple it and serve a crowd. I seriously recommend adding it to your recipe book!

If you’ve read any of my other recipes, you know I’m not into

complicated cooking. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

1 lb pasta, like Barilla Penne, Rigatoni, or Farfalle

1 small yellow onion

Sliced Ham

Frozen Peas

Heavy Cream

Finely grated Romano cheese

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Like I previously mentioned in my Rustic Cauliflower Pasta recipe “If you need a gluten free version I HIGHLY recommend the Barilla Gluten Free pasta. This type of pasta is best with a tube style pasta. Barilla sells a gluten Free penne and it is REALLY good. I just recommend you check the cook time. It will remain al dente (which is awesome), but to get the right texture I cooked it a bit longer than package instructions.” This is the best gluten free pasta I’ve had so far & I highly recommend it to my friends with food allergies or gluten free preference.

Alirighty, let’s get cooking!!

PIN THIS RECIPE

CREAMY PASTA with HAM & PEAS [GLUTEN FREE]

| Serves 4-6 |

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound (one box) cooked Barilla Rigatoni, Penne or Farfalle (for Gluten Free- Barilla Gluten Free Penne)

• 1 small yellow onion, diced

• 1/4 lb sliced ham, chopped into small pieces

• 1/2 cup frozen peas

• 1/2C extra virgin olive oil

• 2 C heavy cream

• 1/2 C finely grated Romano cheese

METHOD:

1. On medium/ high heat Sauté Onion and 1/2 cup olive oil in a large nonstick skillet until just starting to achieve a light golden color.

2. Turn down to medium heat and add chopped ham. Cook until the ham just starts to brown. Add frozen peas, salt, pepper (to taste). Reduce to low heat and cover for 5 minutes.

3. Uncover, turn heat up to medium heat and add cream and cheese. Stir ingredients and simmer until thickened- about 5 minutes.

4. Add cooked pasta, mix well and serve immediately. I suggest serving with additional Romano cheese on these side for those who may want it.

TIP: Once you’ve started sauteing the onions, start your pot of water for pasta. By the time your pasta water starts to boil, you’ll be around the point where you adding peas/ cream to the sauce. If your sauce is done first, just turn off the heat. If your pasta is done first, drain it a bit al dente so your pasta isn’t overdone later.

Leave your comments. I am interested to know what you think!!

PIN IT FOR LATER