Creamy Ham & Cheese Pasta Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Classic
Weeknight meals find their perfect match in this creamy ham cheese pasta that promises comfort and speed.
Busy home cooks appreciate quick solutions without sacrificing flavor.
Simple ingredients transform into something magical with minimal effort.
Cheese and ham create a delightful combination that feels indulgent yet effortless.
Each forkful delivers rich, smooth textures that remind you of home-cooked goodness.
Pantry staples come together in less than thirty minutes.
You’ll fall in love with this straightforward dish that makes dinnertime a breeze.
Grab a fork and savor every delicious bite!
Why Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta Hits All The Comfort Notes
What Goes Into Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta
Main Ingredients:
Pasta Base:Protein Component:Cheese Blend:Sauce Ingredients:
Liquid Base:Fat Components:Thickening Agent:Aromatic and Seasoning Elements:
Flavor Builders:Herb and Spice Blend:Finishing Touch:How To Make Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta In A Snap
Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly
Cook pasta in a large pot of generously salted water. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once tender but still slightly firm, drain completely and set aside. The pasta will finish cooking in the creamy sauce later.
Step 2: Create Flavor Base
Heat a large skillet with:Sauté the following ingredients until fragrant and golden:Add diced ham and cook until edges turn slightly crispy. This builds a delicious foundation for your sauce.
Step 3: Build Creamy Sauce
Sprinkle flour over the ham mixture, stirring constantly to create a smooth base. Slowly pour in:Whisk continuously to prevent lumps. Let the sauce simmer and thicken, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Melt Cheese Magic
Gradually add a blend of cheeses:Stir until each cheese melts completely, creating a silky smooth sauce. Pour in heavy cream for extra richness if desired.
Step 5: Season and Enhance
Add these flavor boosters:Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference. The goal is a balanced, mouth-watering flavor profile.
Step 6: Combine and Coat
Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy cheese sauce. Ensure every pasta piece is generously coated. The pasta will absorb the delicious sauce, becoming even more flavorful.
Step 7: Optional Crispy Finish
For a golden top, transfer to a baking dish. Sprinkle extra cheese and bake until the surface turns crispy and bubbling.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Garnish with:Serve immediately while hot and creamy. Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Top Tips For The Creamiest Ham Cheese Pasta
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All Your Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta Questions Answered
Diced cooked ham from the deli section is perfect. You can also use leftover holiday ham or pre-packaged cubed ham. Avoid raw or uncooked ham varieties.
Yes! Simply substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch when creating the roux. Use gluten-free pasta to complete the modification.
Always whisk milk and broth gradually into the roux. Keep stirring constantly and maintain medium heat to ensure a smooth, creamy consistency. Adding liquids slowly helps prevent clumping.
Absolutely! You can prepare the sauce and pasta separately, then combine and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat gently in a skillet, adding a splash of milk or broth to restore creamy texture.
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Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Comfort meets elegance in this creamy ham cheese pasta, blending hearty proteins with silky sauce. Packed with rich flavors and simple ingredients, this dish promises a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 300 g (10 oz) pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 ½ cups (225 g) diced cooked ham
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until it reaches a tender yet firm texture. Carefully drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of cooking liquid, and set aside.
- In a spacious skillet, melt butter with a touch of olive oil over medium heat. Introduce finely chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and softened, releasing their sweet aroma.
- Add minced garlic and quickly stir, allowing the fragrant notes to permeate the kitchen. Gently fold in diced ham, cooking until the edges turn a delicate golden brown.
- Dust the ham and onion mixture with flour, stirring thoroughly to create an even coating. Allow the mixture to cook briefly, eliminating any raw flour undertones.
- Slowly introduce milk and chicken broth, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Let the sauce simmer and gradually thicken, creating a velvety smooth base.
- Incorporate an array of cheeses – cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan – stirring until they melt completely and integrate seamlessly into the sauce. Pour in heavy cream for an extra luxurious touch.
- Season the sauce with freshly ground black pepper, salt, and a sprinkle of Italian herbs. Taste and adjust the seasoning to achieve a perfect flavor balance.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is lavishly coated with the rich, cheesy mixture.
- For a golden, crispy finish, transfer the pasta to a baking dish, crown with an additional layer of cheese, and bake until the top becomes beautifully bronzed and bubbling.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a generous dusting of Parmesan. Serve immediately, accompanied by a crisp side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Choose short pasta shapes like penne or rotini that trap the creamy sauce perfectly, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.
- Opt for high-quality ham like Black Forest or honey-roasted for a more complex and rich taste profile in the dish.
- When making the sauce, keep whisking constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a silky smooth texture that coats the pasta beautifully.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half, and use lean ham to reduce overall calories without compromising taste.
- Can easily convert this recipe to a gluten-free option by using gluten-free flour for the roux and choosing gluten-free pasta varieties.
- Cheese selection matters – mix sharp cheddar with mild mozzarella for a balanced, creamy flavor that melts seamlessly into the sauce.
- Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days, and quickly reheated with a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Emily Morgan
Food Critic & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Global Food Exploration & Critique, Simple Kitchen Hacks & Time-Saving Tips, Presentation & Plating Techniques, Culinary Research & Storytelling.
Education
New York University
Emily Morgan has journeyed across the globe, collecting culinary secrets that turn everyday ingredients into impressive meals.
Based in Seattle and armed with a Journalism degree from NYU, she blends thorough research with a flair for presentation, ensuring every dish looks just as good as it tastes.
Focusing on fresh flavors, simple methods, and a bit of fun, Emily shows home cooks how to elevate their daily cooking without fancy gadgets or complex steps.