CREAMY LEMON PASTA WITH PEAS AND OPTIONAL HAM

Creamy Lemon Pasta with Peas and Optional Ham image

This easy pasta dish goes from stove to table in about 25 minutes. The creamy, garlicky lemon sauce coats every little piece of perfectly al dente pasta, spring peas, and optional diced ham for the carnivores.

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

1/2 pound or 8 ounces small pasta like orecchiette, shells, or mini penne
3/4 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium cloves garlic (finely chopped (about 2 teaspoons))
Pinch - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (depending on taste)
1 large lemon (zested and juiced (approx. 1 tablespoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice))
1 cup pasta water
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
Salt and pepper to taste
Small handful of parsley (chopped (about 1/4 cup chopped))
If adding ham
1/4 cup chopped (cooked ham per serving)

Steps:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook about one minute less than package directions state until al dente. When one minute is left in the cooking time, add the frozen peas.
While the pasta is boiling, heat a large deep skillet over low heat and add the olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, for about five minutes until garlic is tender.
To the garlic, add 1 cup of the water the pasta is boiling in, along with the lemon juice and the heavy cream. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a boil, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens just a bit, about 5 minutes. Stir in the the lemon zest and 1 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and add additional salt if necessary (if the sauce tastes too lemony, add a little more salt until the tartness mellows.)
If adding ham, place an additional skillet on the stove and heat the diced ham over low heat, stirring frequently
Drain the pasta and peas and and add it to the main skillet with the sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat and gently toss the pasta with the sauce until the pasta soaks in some of the sauce, about two minutes.
Scoop the carnivorous portion(s) into the saucepan with the ham and mix gently.
Top with the parsley and remaining Parmesan cheese, and serve.

*** Explore more Creamy Lemon Pasta With Peas And Optional Ham Recipes »

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BJ Rushton

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This pasta dish was easy to make and very tasty. I used gluten-free pasta and it turned out great. The sauce was creamy and flavorful, and the peas and ham added a nice touch. I would definitely recommend this recipe to others.

Jenna McIntyre

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I made this dish last night and it was a hit with my family! The sauce was creamy and flavorful, and the peas and ham added a nice touch. I will definitely be adding this to my regular rotation of recipes.

HD R

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This pasta dish was so delicious and easy to make! I loved the creamy lemon sauce and the peas added a nice pop of color and flavor. I will definitely be making this again.

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