For a platter of pasta that satisfies your carb cravings without weighing you down, look no further than this easy ham pasta recipe. While many healthy pasta recipes start with lean chicken breasts, this dish puts the spotlight on ham. Dressed in a simple, lemony sauce with fresh herbs and sweet red pepper, it’s a great recipe to turn to when you have an ample supply of leftover ham from the holidays.
Our pasta with ham recipe is ready in 30 minutes, uses just two pans, and has all the bright flavors you’d expect from the best chicken piccata recipe.
Ham Pasta Ingredients
- Ham: We love ham for busy weeknights because it typically comes fully cooked when purchased from the store. This dramatically cuts down a recipe’s cooking time.
- Pasta: While our recipe calls for penne pasta, you can choose any short-cut pasta shape you enjoy or already have in the pantry. Farfalle, rotini, or cavatappi are just a few other options you could consider.
- Vegetables: A simple combination of chopped onions and sweet red bell peppers is all you need to add color, flavor and nutrition to this easy pasta with ham recipe. However, feel free to toss in other seasonal produce you have on hand.
- Garlic and herbs: When making a light pasta recipe with minimal ingredients, aromatics such as garlic and fresh herbs will be your key to success. Minced garlic, basil and oregano will fill your kitchen with a heavenly Italian aroma and lend great flavor to the sauce.
- Chicken broth: Chicken broth is the base for the sauce. Use your favorite store-bought chicken stock, or use some of your own homemade chicken broth.
- Lemon juice: We’re always amazed at what a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice can do for recipes. The bright citrus flavor lifts and enhances all the other flavors in this ham pasta, so don’t skip it!
Directions
Step 1: Cook the pasta
Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, then drain.
Step 2: Saute
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, warm the oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the ham, red pepper and onion. Saute for four to six minutes, until the ham is browned and the vegetables are tender. Add the garlic and herbs and cook for one to two minutes longer, or until fragrant.
Editor’s Tip: If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand for this recipe, you can substitute in dried herbs. To make the swap, use our fresh to dried herb conversion guide.
Step 3: Make the pasta sauce
Pour the chicken broth and lemon juice into the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half.
Step 4: Combine and serve
To finish, add the pasta to the sauce and toss to combine. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.
Editor’s Tip: For added brightness and fresh lemon flavor, stir in an extra squeeze of lemon juice to the recipe just before serving.
Ham Pasta Variations
- Change the protein: If you’re not a fan of ham, you can swap it for fully cooked chicken breast cut into cubes. You can also ditch the ham and turn this into a recipe made with a pound of shrimp. To avoid overcooking, however, wait to add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the sauce until the final few minutes of cooking.
- Load up with veggies: When it comes to vegetable combinations, this recipe is endlessly versatile. Wilted spinach, sliced zucchini, chopped broccoli, frozen peas, or sliced mushrooms are just a few of the many possibilities.
- Deglaze with white wine: This pasta (like these other recipes with wine) is a great way to finish up a bottle of wine. Before adding the broth and lemon juice, deglaze the pan with 1/2 cup of white wine. A sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, or chardonnay would all add further depth of flavor to the sauce.
How to Store Ham Pasta
This pasta with ham may be refrigerated for three to four days in an airtight container. When you’re ready to eat it again, knowing how to reheat pasta properly will make it taste just as good as day one.
Can you freeze ham pasta?
Yes! Unlike creamy pasta recipes made with dairy-based sauces, this ham pasta freezes like a dream. Keep leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat.
Editor’s Tip: Keep in mind that pasta can get mushy as it thaws, and absorbs extra moisture in its container. If you plan to freeze this pasta right away, you may wish to cook the pasta a little less than al dente so that when thawed and reheated, the pasta has the perfect texture.
Ham Pasta Tips
What types of leftover ham are best for a pasta dish?
Leftover ham with savory flavors (like Dolly Parton’s ham recipe) will suit this recipe better than one made with a super sweet glaze. For example, maple-glazed ham, while delicious, might be too sweet for this ham with pasta. Save it for Hawaiian pizza instead.
What type of store-bought ham works best for ham pasta?
If you don’t have leftover ham and need to buy some before you begin cooking, a small boneless ham is the perfect choice for this recipe. Our guide to buying the best ham provides more tips.
