Creamy Lemon Pasta with Ham and Peas
Creamy Lemon Pasta with Ham and Peas combines tender orecchiette pasta with a rich sauce made from butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. The addition of lemon zest brightens the dish, while diced ham provides a savory contrast and peas add a fresh pop of sweetness. The sauce is gently thickened on the stovetop before tossing with pasta and ingredients, resulting in a smooth, creamy texture that coats each piece evenly. This pasta offers a satisfying balance of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors suitable for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces orecchiette pasta you could also use little shells or rigatoni
- kosher salt
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 6 ounces ham diced (you could also use pancetta, thickly sliced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 lemon 1 zested (a heaping tablespoon of zest), the other reserved for serving, plural
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese , grated, plus more for serving
- 1 cup pea , fresh or frozen, just defrost if using frozen
- ¼ - ⅓ cup chives , finely chopped, for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Season generously with salt and cook orecchiette according to package directions, until al denté. Drain pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, place a large skillet over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of the butter. Once butter has melted, add the ham and cook over medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until browned and slightly crisp. Remove ham with a slotted spoon and add to a plate or bowl.
- To the same skillet, add the cream and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken the cream, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat to medium-low. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter, the lemon zest, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup pasta water, and parmesan, stirring to combine. Stir in pasta, peas, and ham, tossing to coat. Gradually add a bit more pasta water if needed. Taste and add more salt if desired. To serve, top with fresh chives, more lemon zest, and more grated Parmesan.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 644
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 644kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 51g | 17% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 23g | 115% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 116mg | 39% |
| Sodium | 626mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 395mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1503IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 30mg | 33% |
| Calcium | 270mg | 27% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.