Sweet spring peas, savory ham, and creamy sauce tossed with penne for a quick, hearty comfort meal.
# 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
→ Protein
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 additional for pasta water
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water.
02 - While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
03 - Stir in diced ham and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly browned and heated through.
04 - Add peas and cook for 2 minutes until bright green, or until heated through if using frozen peas.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper, stirring until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Add drained penne to the skillet and toss to coat. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water in small amounts until desired consistency is achieved.
07 - Remove from heat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
