This creamy ham and cheese pasta is simple, easy, and delicious. You can make this in 30 minutes or less. Perfect for hectic dinner nights when there’s no time to cook an elaborate meal.
Creamy and Cheesy Ham Pasta
I’m calling this pasta for the picky eaters. Pasta, ham, cream, and cheese–I mean what’s not to like? It’s simple yet indulging.
And the best part? You don’t need a lot of effort to make it.
What you need
This recipe calls for simple ingredients that can easily be substituted if needed. But 3 things give the sauce an extra depth of flavor. So don’t skip it 🙂
- Pasta – you can use any pasta from spaghetti, and fettuccine to linguine. It will also work wonderfully on most short pasta such as fusilli, bow tie, penne, and ziti.
- Garlic – makes the sauce extra fragrant. I just love the flavor it gives to white pasta sauces.
- Ham – use leftover ham or even deli ham.
- Butter – adds flavor to the sauce but can also be substituted with olive oil
- Heavy cream – best to use when making creamy sauce due to its rich consistency. See below for substitutes.
- Chicken bouillon – to make the sauce flavorful i.e. not bland.
- Italian seasoning – It is optional but highly recommended for added flavor.
- Cheese – use parmesan or mild cheddar.
That is it!
Tips, substitutes, and add-ons
- Heavy cream can be substituted with milk or half and half. To give the sauce a creamy texture, you can add flour or cornstarch.
- Use low-sodium or organic chicken bouillon. I find that they give the best flavor for pasta sauces compared to regular chicken bouillon.
- Use the pasta cooking water instead of regular water. The extra starch helps thicken the sauce.
- Other dried herbs you can use are tarragon, parsley, and basil. Of course, if fresh is available, use it with gusto.
- Make it “healthy-ish” by adding vegetables: broccoli, green peas, white and brown button mushrooms, and portobello mushrooms.
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Creamy Ham and Cheese Pasta
Ingredients
- 10 oz linguine (or other pasta)
- 1 ½ cup ham (chopped)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 ½ cup heavy cream (note 1)
- 1 cup pasta cooking water (add more as needed)
- 1 piece low sodium chicken bouillon
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- ½ cup fresh parmesan cheese or mild cheddar (grated)
- parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente. If using regular bouillon, use less salt. Drain and reserve about 2 cups of pasta water.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until soft and fragrant. Stir in ham, Italian seasoning, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Pour cream, pasta water, and chicken bouillon. Simmer until the bouillon is completely dissolved. Add cheese and simmer until melted. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Add pasta and toss gently in the sauce until coated. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of pasta water.
- Garnish with parsley and more parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes & Tips:
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Very good. Will make again. Easy to make.
Where do you use the Italian seasoning?
You can add it with the ham. I have updated the recipe card.
Made this. Very good. I did add mozzarella cheese. Turned out wonderful!!
Tried this tonight, very good. One thing to keep in mind is that, if you salt your pasta water, maybe salt it less than you normally would. Between the salty ham, salty cheese, salted butter, and salty pasta water mine came out just a little too salty! Next time I’ll just remember to salt my water waaaaaay less than usual.
Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks for the tip, Krista. I’ve updated the recipe to take note of that 🙂
– Mella
What does “pc” for the bouillon?
It stands for piece as in 1 piece.
I made this last night, added fresh basil and it was a big hit. Thank you for a tasty relatively easy recipe.I only had half n half, so look forward to trying cream next time.
Made this tonight, we all loved it. Pretty much always have these ingredients so this is a new go-to for leftover ham.
Glad you enjoyed this, Terry!
– Mella
I love one-pot recipes. This one looks easy to make and I love that I already have all the ingredients I need! Thanks for another great easy recipe to add to our family’s repertoire!
My go to recipe if I wanted something quick, easy and delicious. I serve this with some garlic bread on the side! Yum! Thanks for the recipe Mella!