Description
This One Pot Ham and Pea Pasta is a quick and comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights. It combines tender ham, sweet peas, and creamy Boursin cheese with pasta all cooked together in a flavorful chicken broth-based sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish requires minimal cleanup and offers a delightful balance of savory and fresh flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1.5 cups diced ham (or more if you prefer)
- 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, shells, or preferred shape)
- 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 cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly browned. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the roux and broth base: Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle the flour and dried parsley into the skillet. Stir constantly for about one minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the chicken broth while continuously stirring to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce to a simmer to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Cook pasta and peas: Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet, making sure it is fully submerged in the broth. If needed, break long pasta in half to fit. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is almost tender, about 8-10 minutes depending on pasta shape. Then stir in the frozen peas and continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes until peas are heated through and pasta is fully cooked with a creamy sauce.
- Finish the dish: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the Boursin cheese (or cream cheese with seasoning) and grated Parmesan until melted and combined into a luscious sauce. Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with chopped fresh parsley, lemon zest, or red pepper flakes according to preference.
Notes
- You can use more ham if you want a meatier dish or substitute with other cooked meats.
- If the sauce gets too thick while cooking pasta, add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to loosen it.
- Breaking longer pasta in half helps it fit better and cook evenly in one pot.
- Using Boursin cheese adds extra garlic-herb flavor, but cream cheese with seasoning is a great substitute.
- For added freshness and color, garnish with chopped parsley and lemon zest before serving.
