Description
This One Pot Ham and Pea Pasta is a quick, creamy, and delicious weeknight meal that combines tender pasta, savory diced ham, sweet peas, and a luscious cheese sauce made with Boursin and Parmesan. It’s cooked entirely in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze and the dinner process efficient. Perfect for those who love a comforting pasta dish with a subtle garlicky and herby flavor, ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1.5 cups diced ham (or more to taste)
- 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 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 lightly browned. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn.
- Make the roux and broth base: Reduce heat to low and sprinkle in the flour and dried parsley. Stir continuously for about one minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring vigorously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a boil once, then lower heat to a simmer.
- Cook pasta and peas: Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet, ensuring it’s submerged in the broth (break pasta in half if needed to fit). Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is nearly tender, about 8-10 minutes depending on pasta type.
- Finish cooking: Stir in the frozen peas and continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes until the pasta is fully cooked and peas are heated through. The sauce should become thick and creamy at this stage. Remove skillet from heat.
- Final touch and serve: Stir in the Boursin cheese (or cream cheese alternative) and grated Parmesan until melted and incorporated, creating a rich creamy sauce. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with chopped parsley, grated lemon zest, or red pepper flakes for additional flavor.
Notes
- Note 1: Feel free to increase the amount of ham according to your preference for a meatier dish.
- Note 2: Additional chicken broth can be added during cooking if the pasta absorbs too much liquid before fully cooking.
- Note 3: Stir the flour thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth sauce base.
- Note 4: Stir the pasta occasionally during simmering to prevent it from sticking to the pan or clumping together.
