Description
A quick and comforting one-pot meal combining savory ham, tender pasta, and sweet peas in a creamy, cheesy sauce. This easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1.5 cups diced ham (or more if you like)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 6 cups chicken broth (plus extra as needed)
- 1 (12-oz) box uncooked pasta (linguine or small shells recommended)
- 1.5 cups frozen peas
- 1 (5-oz) package Boursin cheese with garlic and herbs (or 4 oz regular cream cheese plus extra seasoning)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté ham and garlic: Melt butter in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add diced ham and sauté for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the roux and broth base: Reduce heat to low. Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and dried parsley, stirring constantly for one minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cook pasta and peas: Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet, submerging it fully in the broth. If needed, break long pasta in half to fit. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until pasta is almost tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- Finish cooking: Stir in the frozen peas and continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes until the pasta is fully cooked and peas are heated through. The sauce will thicken to a creamy consistency. Remove from heat.
- Finish and serve: Stir in the Boursin cheese (or cream cheese and seasoning) along with grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Serve immediately, optionally topping with chopped fresh parsley, lemon zest, or red pepper flakes to taste.
Notes
- You can increase the amount of ham for a heartier dish or substitute with cooked bacon or pancetta for variation.
- If the sauce becomes too thick while cooking, add a splash of extra chicken broth to loosen it.
- The flour and parsley mixture serves as a roux to thicken the sauce and add flavor.
- Stirring occasionally during pasta cooking prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.
- Using Boursin cheese adds a flavorful garlic and herb creaminess, but cream cheese with added seasoning works well as a substitute.
