By Laurel Perry
Published Aug 19, 2024
I love a simple meal that comes together super quickly. This ham and pea pasta checks all the boxes for the easiest weeknight meal possible! It comes together in just 30 minutes, uses pantry staples, and most of it happens in one pot (just boil the pasta separately). It’s a simple, wholesome meal I can make any night of the week, and my whole family loves the creamy and cheesy flavor!
After this past Easter, I was struggling to come up with ways to use up the last of our smoked ham . But then it dawned on me. I love adding peas to my pasta carbonara, so why not make a riff on that with my leftover ham instead?! This creamy ham and pea pasta is so simple, creamy, and comforting. It’s got ham, peas, cream, and plenty of Parmesan cheese to keep everyone happy!
What’s in This Ham and Pea Pasta Recipe?
- Pasta : I used elbow macaroni, but any short pasta shape will work well. Just be sure to cook according to the package.
- Butter: Unsalted butter helps sauté the onions and garlic without burning and adds richness.
- Onion + Garlic: Create a savory base of flavor for the dish.
- Peas: I prefer to use frozen peas since it reduces their risk of overcooking and turning mushy. I add them straight from the freezer, no thawing required!
- Ham Steaks: Fully cooked boneless ham steaks make this recipe super easy.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce rich and creamy.
- Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth adds savory flavor and moisture to the sauce. Vegetable broth also works well.
- Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances the creaminess of the sauce and adds salty and umami flavor to the dish.
- Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of freshness and color to the finished dish.
Tips for Success
- This ham and pea pasta is a great dish to make after a busy holiday! It’s perfect to use up leftover Christmas or Easter ham !
- Make sure to add the room-temperature heavy cream over low heat (or off the heat entirely!) to keep it from curdling.
- Use freshly shredded Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and consistency.
- If your pasta has stuck together while in the colander, rinse it under hot water. It will loosen right up.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover ham and pea pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a pot set over medium-low heat with a splash of water or heavy cream to rehydrate everything. You can also microwave individual portions. I do not recommend freezing this dish since cream-based sauces do not thaw well.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this hearty ham and pea pasta with my favorite healthy kale Caesar salad or a light and fruity spinach berry salad ! It’s the perfect way to get some extra greens in, and the freshness of the salad is a great contrast to this creamy pasta dish.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 pound dry elbow macaroni (1 box)
- ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
- ▢ 1 yellow onion diced
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 10 ounces frozen peas (1 package)
- ▢ 16 ounces ham steaks cut into ½ inch cubes (2 packages)
- ▢ 1¼ cups heavy cream room temperature
- ▢ 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ▢ ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- ▢ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ▢ 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Video
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. 1 pound dry elbow macaroni
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the ham and peas and cook for 2-3 more minutes. 10 ounces frozen peas, 16 ounces ham steaks
- Stir in the cream and stock. Simmer for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. 1¼ cups heavy cream, 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Stir in the parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the pasta. Cook, stirring, until warmed through. ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Serve topped with fresh parsley. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Ham and Pea Pasta Step by Step
Boil the Pasta: Boil 1 pound (1 box) of elbow macaroni in salted water according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Sauté the Onion and Garlic: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add in 2 minced cloves of garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add the Ham and Peas: Add the 16 ounces (2 packages) of diced ham steaks and 10 ounces (1 package) of frozen peas and cook for 2-3 more minutes. Stir in 1¼ cups of heavy cream cream and 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth. Simmer for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Season and Serve: Stir in ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cooked pasta. Cook, stirring, until warmed through. Serve topped with 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley.
More Pasta Recipes to Try
Chicken Spaghetti
Crockpot Mac and Cheese
White Chicken Lasagna (Caprese Chicken Lasagna)
Baked Spaghetti
Crockpot Chicken Tetrazzini
Baked Mostaccioli
Italian Stuffed Shells
Beef Lo Mein Recipe
Ham and Pea Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry elbow macaroni (1 box)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 10 ounces frozen peas (1 package)
- 16 ounces ham steaks cut into ½ inch cubes (2 packages)
- 1¼ cups heavy cream room temperature
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. 1 pound dry elbow macaroni
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the ham and peas and cook for 2-3 more minutes. 10 ounces frozen peas, 16 ounces ham steaks
- Stir in the cream and stock. Simmer for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. 1¼ cups heavy cream, 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Stir in the parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the pasta. Cook, stirring, until warmed through. ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Serve topped with fresh parsley. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
