Mom's Easy Ham Pasta Recipe
Pasta makes a quick, easy and filling meal, but pasta dinner ideas seem to be either tomato or heavy cream based sauces. This easy pasta recipe is a quick dinner idea with a no tomato pasta sauce you can make all in one pan in under 30 minutes! This simple pasta recipe is sure to become a new staple easy pasta dishes the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta we use bow tie pasta
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 10 slices candadian bacon, sliced in strips
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 handful parsley, chopped 1 Tablespoon dried parsley can be subbed
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup lemon juice juice from 1 lemon
- 3 Tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Start by bring a large pot of water sprinkled with salt to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta based on the directions on the package until it is al dente. Save 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the rest of the pasta in a colinder and run under cold water to stop the pasta from cooking any quicker.
- This part is optional, but it adds such a great depth of flavor! Put the walnuts in your empty pan or skillet and cook over medium heat to toast them for 2-3 minutes or until lightly golden brown and they start to smell toasty. This gives it such a rich, nutty flavor! Pull out the nuts and set aside to add back in at the end.
- Put the empty pot back on the stove top with 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat; once hot, add the ham and cook for 2-3 minutes or until it starts to lightly brown.
- Now add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes, cook it for another minute.
- Add the reserved pasta cooking liquid and cook 3- 5 minutes to blend the flavors and the liquid has reduced by almost half.
- Add in the lemon juice, cooked pasta, walnuts, and parsley. Stir and cook 2-3 minutes to thoroughly heat and combine.
- Remove from heat and add the butter and grated cheese; toss it to coat the noodles. HINT: I use the same pot to save on washing, but you can cook the pasta and make the sauce at the same time by using a skillet for the sauce and a pot for the pasta
- Serve the pasta dish hot with additional Parmesan cheese on the top if you like.