Creamy Leftover Ham Pasta
In just 15 minutes this easy recipe for Creamy Leftover Ham Pasta is ready. This is the best meal idea to use leftover holiday ham from Easter brunch, Thanksgiving, or Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rigatoni any leftover short tube pasta like penne or mostaccioli
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 1 cup cooked ham diced leftovers
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- NOTE: if you are not using leftover cooked pasta, start the pasta water now to get it boiling so you can cook it from dry. Do not start the pan sauce until the pasta if half way done cooking.
- In a medium skillet melt the butter over medium heat.2 tablespoons salted butter
- Add the diced onion and cook until soft and tender for 5 minutes.½ cup onion
- For leftover pasta as an ingredient: While the onions cook, bring a medium pot of water to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- To the skillet with the cooked onions, add the ham pieces and cook for 3-4 minutes, just until the edges start to brown a bit.1 cup cooked ham
- Next, add the peas to the skillet and stir to combine. Let them defrost and warm up for 2 minutes.½ cup frozen peas
- Once the water has small bubbles, add the leftover pasta to the water to reheat and soften. This only needs 2-3 minutes.3 cups cooked rigatoni
- While pasta is warming, add the heavy cream to the skillet and stir to combine with all the ingredients. Let it come to a low boil with a few bubbles then reduce to low heat.½ cup heavy cream
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the warm pasta from the water and add to the skillet with the ham, peas, and sauce. Stir or toss to coat.
- Top with grated parmesan & add optional cracked black pepper to taste.¼ cup grated parmesan, black pepper
- SAUCE NOTE: If you want more sauce adjust with a few additional splashes of cream until you reach your desired amount... this is key since different pasta shapes will absorb different amounts of sauce.
Notes
STORING & REHEATING:
- This is best enjoyed while fresh. Pasta sauces with cream do not store or reheat well.
- If you do have leftovers, store for 1 day in the refrigerator. To reheat, add a splash of fresh cream to the pasta and reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds - stir and enjoy.
- Use any short pasta shape; try it with macaroni, farfalle, fusilli, medium shells, etc. Long pasta types like spaghetti or linguini are not recommended.
- Add other leftover vegetables, frozen green beans or broccoli, or try sauteeing mushrooms with the ham instead of adding frozen peas.
- No fresh onion, substitute with a tablespoon of dry minced onion added along with the ham for a quick cook vs slow cooked and caramelizing fresh onion.
Nutrition
Calories: 722kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 27gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 24gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 149mgSodium: 982mgPotassium: 454mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1611IUVitamin C: 31mgCalcium: 185mgIron: 3mg
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