Tender penne tossed with sweet peas, diced ham, and a rich creamy parmesan sauce for a hearty, satisfying dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne pasta
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
→ Meats
05 - 1 cup cooked ham, diced
→ Dairy
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Seasonings
09 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1/4 tsp salt, plus more for pasta water
11 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# How-To Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat.
02 - Add penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, approximately 10-12 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water for later use.
03 - While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent and softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 additional minute until fragrant.
04 - Add diced ham to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and heated through.
05 - Stir in fresh or frozen peas and cook for 2 minutes until bright green and tender, or until heated through if using frozen.
06 - Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add grated Parmesan, salt, and black pepper, stirring constantly until cheese melts completely and sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
07 - Add drained penne to the skillet, tossing thoroughly to coat all pasta with sauce. If sauce appears too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired creamy consistency is achieved.
08 - Remove skillet from heat immediately. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot while sauce remains creamy.
