Pasta With Ham and Peas

This pasta with ham and peas is made up of a combination of al dente bow tie pasta with savory ham and sweet peas, all coated in a creamy parmesan sauce. It's absolutely delicious, and you can make it in less than 30 minutes!

My Take On Pasta with Ham and Peas

This pasta with ham and peas is seriously the best creamy pasta recipe you'll ever make! 

The simple combination of savory ham, tender peas, and noodles is the perfect pair for the creamy parmesan cheese sauce. The pasta is finished off with more parmesan cheese to make a cheesy, savory, and satisfying pasta dish everyone will love. 

It literally tastes like you ordered pasta alla papalina straight from your favorite Italian restaurant!

This ham and peas pasta recipe is the perfect dish to make on a busy weeknight for family dinner since it's so quick and easy to whip up. It even makes the perfect lunch the next day too! 

As good as this ham and pea pasta is by itself, it's even better served alongside these Cracker Barrel biscuits. They're perfect for soaking up that delicious cream sauce.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Easy to make. All you have to do is make the creamy sauce, then stir in the rest of the ingredients and let it simmer on the stovetop. I think it's effortless, and I know you will too!

So convenient. Just like this ham casserole, this recipe calls for cooked ham and can easily be made with leftover ham from dinner or any leftover ham you may have picked up from the store.

The sauce. This parmesan and garlic cream sauce is so easy to make, yet it's loaded with flavor. Trust me, after one bite, you'll be craving this sauce every night of the week!

Ingredients

Another reason I love this ham and peas pasta is that it's made with simple ingredients. Honestly, you probably have most of them on hand right now!

Here's everything you'll need to make ham and pea pasta:

• 8 oz bow-tie pasta, cooked
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken stock
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 1 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups cooked ham, chopped
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 16 oz. cooked peas 
• ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated

By the way, if you find yourself with more leftover ham, save it and use it in this ham and noodle casserole. It's another one of my favorite ham and pasta recipes, so you'll definitely want to try it next!

How To Make Pasta with Ham and Peas

1. Make the roux. Before starting, cook the pasta if you haven't done so already. Then add the olive oil, flour, and minced garlic to a large saucepan and set it over low heat. Let this mixture cook for 30 seconds, then add the chicken stock and stir to combine everything.

2. Add the cream. To the pan, add the heavy cream and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. You'll want to stir the sauce every minute or so.

3. Add the seasonings. Remove the pan from the heat and season the sauce with Italian seasoning. Then add the parmesan cheese and stir to combine everything once more.

4. Assemble and serve. Stir in the cooked bow-tie pasta, diced ham, and cooked fresh peas, and cook, stirring until the dish is fully heated through. Serve immediately with more freshly grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

My Tips For Making The Best Recipe

• Use frozen peas if you don't have fresh peas. Just remember they'll need a few extra minutes to fully cook.
• Cook pasta to al dente since it'll continue cooking in the cream sauce.
• I like to add ingredients to the sauce for more flavor, like fresh garlic, lemon zest, or red pepper flakes, for a spicy kick.
• Experiment with a different pasta shape, like elbow macaroni, fusilli pasta, or mini pasta shells for a different texture.
• If you're making pasta fresh for this recipe, reserve some of the leftover pasta water from the drained pasta and add a splash to the cream sauce to thicken it.
• I always garnish the dish with fresh basil or fresh parsley for extra flavor and a pop of color.

How To Store Pasta with Ham and Peas

In the fridge: Store the leftover ham and peas pasta in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for about 4 days.

In the freezer: Allow the creamy ham pasta to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 4 months.

Reheating: Put the leftovers in a large pot or skillet. I like to add a splash of chicken broth before reheating. Cook the pasta with peas over medium heat, stirring often, until it reaches your desired temperature. Let the frozen pasta thaw in the fridge overnight.

FAQS About This Pasta with Ham and Peas Recipe

What to serve with ham and peas pasta?

This ham and peas pasta is great served with a house salad, garlic bread, Bisquick cheddar bay biscuits, or some cheesy cauliflower for the ultimate comfort food meal.

Can I use frozen peas instead of canned peas?

Yes! Frozen peas will work great if that is what you have on hand. Just remember they will need a few more minutes in the skillet to fully cook.

Can I use prosciutto or bacon in place of ham?

Yes, prosciutto or bacon are both delicious substitutes for ham. You can also leave out the ham and just make pasta and peas.

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