It’s a bit of hyperbole to say that any pasta dish is comfort food since pasta by its nature is a plate of comfort. However, this dish is comfort food. Yes. I did go there.
This pasta dish couldn’t be easier and comes together as quickly as it takes to boil the pasta. It’s also delicious. Peas and ham are a classic pairing in many global cuisines for a good reason. Add a little garlic, some Parmesan, pepper, and lemon zest, toss with the pasta and you’re enjoying a delicious meal!
Funnily enough the day I made this for dinner I discovered when I opened Instagram later in the evening that famous blogger/cook/tour leader/author Elizabeth Minchilli had whipped a similar dish up for guests in her home in Rome.
Clearly this is a dish that is to be enjoyed!
Part of moving entails cleaning out the freezers. This is a tricky endeavour but we’re plowing on. One of the things we had in the freezer was a big ham we picked up in the States. It was on sale. I LOVE American hams. I thought I’d serve it for Easter dinner (before I knew Easter would be spent in a hotel with the cats while prospective buyers toured the house).
I cooked the ham on Sunday which meant leftovers. This is one of my favourite ways to use up leftover ham.
Pasta with Ham and Peas
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound fusili pasta
- salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced about 1 tablespoon
- 1 1/2 cup diced ham if your ham is glazed cut the outer layer off before dicing it for this recipe
- 1 1/2 cup peas
- 1 cup pasta water reserve before you drain the pasta
- 1/2 cup grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- salt, to taste because ham is often salty I never add extra salt to this dish.
Instructions
- Heat 4 quarts of water and 2 Tbsp salt in a large pot for the pasta. Once the water starts to boil, add the pasta and cook at a rolling boil, uncovered, until al dente, cooked through, but still a little firm to the bite (the low end of the cooking times given on the package). Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- While you are cooking the pasta, heat the butter in a medium skillet on medium heat until melted. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the ham and the frozen peas.
- Stir in 1 cup of the pasta cooking water which will help thaw the peas. Stir in 1/2 cup of cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
- When the pasta is ready, toss it with the sauce in a serving bowl and serve.