The perfect dish when you have Christmas ham lying around.
Pasta with ham is everyday food at its best: quick, filling and always popular. And if you have Christmas ham tucked away in the fridge, this is the perfect way to use it up. The saltiness of the ham, a little cream and good Parmesan make a sauce you will want to make again and again.
The dish is ready in under 20 minutes and can be adapted to whatever you have at home. Swap the ham for bacon, add peas, mushrooms or a little chilli: the basic principle is the same, and the result is always good.
Tips and variations
- Christmas ham or cooked ham both work perfectly. Cut them into cubes or strips for better mouthfeel.
- Quickly fry the ham in butter before adding the cream; this gives caramelised edges and more flavour.
- Add a handful of frozen peas in the last 2 minutes for colour, sweetness and a little texture.
- Reserve some pasta water for the sauce: the starch binds the cream and gives a smoother consistency.
- Freshly grated Parmesan on top makes a big difference; never use pre-grated from a bag.
🍷 Wine tips
Barbera d’Asti: Pasta with ham is a simple, satisfying dish that suits a light, fruity red. Barbera d’Asti (low in tannin, fruity and fresh) is the classic choice. Dolcetto from Piedmont or a light Chianti are equally good alternatives.
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Pasta with ham
Perfect when you have Christmas ham or other cooked ham left over.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Boil the pasta and add the frozen peas when there are about 5 minutes of cooking time left.
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Fry the garlic in butter for 1 to 2 minutes.
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Add the ham and let it heat through.
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Pour in the cream and the lemon zest and simmer for a few minutes.
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Stir in the parmesan while the sauce simmers.
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Season with salt and pepper.
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Drain the pasta and peas and mix well with the sauce.
Notes
Tips: Fry the ham quickly over high heat for crisp, caramelised edges. Pieces with a little charred colour add extra flavour to the whole dish.
Storage: Keeps in the fridge for 2 days. Reheat with a little extra cream or stock.
Variations: Stir in a couple of spoonfuls of cream cheese for a quicker, creamier version.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 813 kcal
- Carbohydrates
- 84 g
- Protein
- 30 g
- Fat
- 39 g
- Saturated fat
- 22 g
- Polyunsaturated fat
- 3 g
- Monounsaturated fat
- 12 g
- Cholesterol
- 139 mg
- Sodium
- 1,039 mg
- Potassium
- 562 mg
- Fiber
- 4 g
- Sugar
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, bacon works very well. Fry it until crisp before adding the cream. It gives a slightly smokier and saltier flavour than ham, but is at least as good.
Penne, rigatoni or fusilli catch the sauce well. Tagliatelle or spaghetti are also good choices. Avoid very thin pasta such as angel hair, as it drowns in the creamy sauce.
Yes. Replace the cream with a little crème fraîche or soured cream for a tangier version, or use pasta water and butter for a lighter one. The flavour will be slightly different, but just as good.
Cooked ham, prosciutto or smoked ham all work well. Cooked ham gives a milder flavour, prosciutto a more intense one.
Yes, swap the ham for grilled courgette, peppers or sun-dried tomatoes for a fresh vegetarian version.
Peas, spinach or halved cherry tomatoes lift the dish and add more colour and nutrition.