Pasta with Peas and Ham

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Pasta with peas and ham is a tasty and easy meal you can make in just 25 minutes. This dish combines tender ditalini pasta, sweet peas, and salty ham in a creamy sauce for a comforting dinner. You’ll love how quick it is to throw together on busy weeknights.

The recipe uses simple ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. With just pasta, frozen peas, ham, butter, cream, and Parmesan, you can create a filling meal the whole family will enjoy. The cream and cheese make a rich sauce that coats every bite.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this yummy pasta dish:

• 8 oz ditalini pasta
• 1 cup frozen sweet peas
• 8 oz ham steak
• 1 tablespoon salted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

The ingredient amounts listed will make about 4 servings. Each serving is around 1.5 cups.

You can find ditalini pasta in most grocery stores. It’s a small, tube-shaped pasta that works great in this recipe. If you can’t find it, other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or small shells will work too.

For the ham, look for a ham steak in the meat section. You’ll dice it up into small pieces before cooking. The frozen peas add a nice pop of color and sweetness.

Don’t forget the heavy cream and Parmesan – they make the sauce rich and creamy. A little butter, salt, and pepper round out the flavors.

Instructions

Fill a big pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add 8 oz of ditalini pasta and cook until it’s soft but still has a bite. This takes about 8-10 minutes.

Toss in 1 cup of frozen peas during the last minute of cooking. Drain everything in a colander when done.

While the pasta cooks, cut up 8 oz of ham steak into small cubes. Put the empty pot back on the stove and add the ham with 1 tbsp of butter. Cook on medium heat, stirring often, until the ham gets a bit brown and crispy.

Add the drained pasta and peas back to the pot. Pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Keep stirring and heating until the cream is hot and picks up all the tasty bits from the bottom of the pot.

Take the pot off the heat. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over everything and mix well. Add 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper, or adjust to your taste.

Serve right away in bowls. You can add extra cheese on top if you like. Enjoy your creamy pasta with peas and ham!

Possible Substitutes List

You can swap out some ingredients in this pasta dish if needed. Here are some options:

• Pasta: Try bow tie, rotini, or shells instead of ditalini
• Peas: Swap for frozen corn or mixed veggies
• Ham: Use bacon, chicken, or turkey as alternatives
• Cream: Half-and-half or milk work too
• Parmesan: Try pecorino romano or asiago cheese

For a veggie version, skip the meat and add sautéed mushrooms. Can’t have dairy? Use olive oil in place of butter and cream. Gluten-free? Pick your favorite gluten-free pasta shape.

Play around with herbs and spices too. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds some heat. Fresh basil or thyme gives a nice flavor boost.

Remember, these swaps may change the taste and texture a bit. But they let you customize the dish to your needs and likes.

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this pasta dish more diabetes-friendly, you can try a few easy swaps. Use whole wheat pasta instead of regular pasta. This adds more fiber and helps slow down sugar absorption.

Cut the amount of pasta in half and double the peas. This lowers the carb count while adding more veggies. You can also add extra non-starchy veggies like spinach or zucchini.

Choose a lean, low-sodium ham to reduce fat and salt. Replace the heavy cream with plain Greek yogurt for less fat and more protein. Use less Parmesan cheese or swap it for nutritional yeast.

Here’s a quick list of changes:
• Whole wheat pasta
• More peas, less pasta
• Extra non-starchy veggies
• Lean, low-sodium ham
• Greek yogurt instead of cream
• Less cheese or nutritional yeast

Watch your portion size too. Stick to about 1 cup of the finished dish. Pair it with a side salad for a balanced meal.

These tweaks make the recipe better for blood sugar control. You still get to enjoy a tasty pasta dish while looking out for your health.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Cook the pasta just until it’s al dente. It will keep cooking a bit when you add it back to the pot with the other ingredients. This helps avoid mushy pasta.

For extra flavor, try using the pasta cooking water instead of plain water when making the sauce. The starchy water helps the sauce stick to the pasta better.

You can swap out the ham for other meats like chicken or bacon. Leftover holiday ham works great in this recipe too!

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pasta may absorb some of the sauce as it sits, so add a splash of cream when reheating.

To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir in a little extra cream or milk if needed to loosen up the sauce.

For meal prep, you can dice the ham and grate the cheese ahead of time. Keep them in separate containers in the fridge until ready to use.

Try adding some fresh herbs like basil or parsley just before serving for a pop of color and flavor.