This Creamy Parmesan and Pea Pasta combines sweet peas, crispy prosciutto and a silky Parmesan cream sauce for an elegant yet simple Italian dish. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's perfect for busy weeknights when you want restaurant-quality flavor without the fuss.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick & easy. Ready in just 30 minutes with minimal prep work.
- Versatile. Great as a main dish or elegant side - it's impressive enough for company, simple enough for weeknights
- Delicate flavors. From the sweet peas to the fresh lemon, this sauce is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Pasta. Any pasta will work but pastas with ridges and texture, like rigatoni or any bronze-died pasta, hold this sauce beautifully.
- Prosciutto. Adds salty flavor and crispy texture contrast.
- Peas. Provide sweetness and bright color - you can use fresh or frozen!
- Heavy cream. Creates the silky base of your sauce.
- Parmesan. Always use freshly grated for best melting.
- Lemon. Cuts through richness of the cream sauce with bright citrus notes.
- Chives. Adds freshness and color.
Scroll to the recipe card below to find the remaining ingredients and quantities!
Substitutions
- Prosciutto. Substitute bacon, pancetta or omit for a vegetarian version.
- Cream. Use half-and-half or cream cheese with a touch of milk for lighter sauce.
- Parmesan. Pecorino Romano offers a sharper flavor
- Dairy-free. Opt for plant butter, coconut cream and nutritional yeast if omitting dairy altogether.
Variations
- Spring veggies. Add blanched asparagus and use tarragon for a stellar seasonal combo.
- Mushroom. Add sautéed mushrooms with the garlic.
- Spicy. Add Calabrian chili oil or red pepper flakes to the butter and garlic.
- Seafood. Skip prosciutto and add cooked shrimp or scallops.
- Chicken. Add diced cooked chicken breast with the peas for some extra protein.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
Step 2: Tear prosciutto into pieces and crisp in a dry skillet (2-3 minutes). Set aside on paper towels to drain excess grease.
Step 3: In same skillet, melt butter and cook garlic for 30 seconds. Add cream and bring to gentle simmer. Add peas and cook 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Top with remaining prosciutto. Garnish with extra Parmesan.
Step 4: Reduce heat and stir in Parmesan until melted. Season with salt, pepper and lemon zest. Toss with drained pasta, adding pasta water if needed (I use about a cup). Fold in half the prosciutto and chives.
Top tip
Always reserve pasta water before draining! This starchy liquid helps achieve the perfect sauce consistency and allows the sauce to cling to pasta. Add a splash if your sauce becomes too thick - I use about a cup of pasta water.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating. The best way to reheat this dish is on stovetop with a splash of milk or cream. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals with milk or cream - be mindful and don't overheat as the sauce can break and become oily!
- For best results, store crispy prosciutto separately and add it fresh when reheating.
What to Pair this Pasta With
- Chicken cutlets. What's not to love about a crispy cutlet and creamy pasta?! Truly a match made in heaven.
- Turkey meatballs. Add extra protein to this pasta by serving alongside these tasty, quick meatballs.
- Strawberry basil lemonade. For a refreshing drink to match all of the spring vibes.
FAQ
Too high heat or adding cheese too quickly. Make sure you reduce the heat before adding the parmesan and stir continuously.
I wouldn't recommended freezing this dish as cream sauces can separate when thawed.
You likely heated the pasta and sauce too quickly. When reheating, make sure to of it nice and slow and add a splash or milk or cream to prevent from breaking or becoming oily.
Tips and Tricks
- Salt is your friend. Salt pasta water generously for properly seasoned pasta.
- Reduce the heat. To ensure your sauce turns out creamy and dreamy, reduce the heat when adding in the Parmesan cheese.
- Season accordingly. Taste the sauce before adding salt as the prosciutto, Parmesan and salted pasta water can make this dish salty.
Did you try out this recipe? I'd love to know how it went! Leave me a comment and rating below or tag me on Instagram at @AFabulousBite!
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Creamy Parmesan and Pea Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto (Ready in 30 Min!)
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta
- 4-5 slices prosciutto
- 1 ½ cup peas fresh or frozen
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated for better melting, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- kosher salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 lemon zested
- 3 tablespoons chives chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Crisp the prosciutto. Tear prosciutto into pieces and crisp in a dry skillet (2-3 minutes). Set aside on paper towels to drain excess grease.
- Start the sauce. In same skillet, melt butter and cook garlic for 30 seconds. Add cream and bring to gentle simmer. Add peas and cook 2-3 minutes.
- Finish the sauce. Reduce heat and stir in Parmesan until melted. Season with salt, pepper and lemon zest. Toss with drained pasta, adding pasta water if needed (I use about a cup). Fold in half the prosciutto and chives.
- Garnish + serve. Top with remaining prosciutto. Garnish with extra Parmesan and olive oil if desired.
Notes
- Storing. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating. The best way to reheat this dish is on stovetop with a splash of milk or cream. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals with milk or cream - be mindful and don't overheat as the sauce can break and become oily!
- For best results, store crispy prosciutto separately and add it fresh when reheating.
- Salt is your friend. Salt pasta water generously for properly seasoned pasta.
- Reduce the heat. To ensure your sauce turns out creamy and dreamy, reduce the heat when adding in the Parmesan cheese.
- Always reserve pasta water before draining! This starchy liquid helps achieve the perfect sauce consistency and allows the sauce to cling to pasta. Add a splash if your sauce becomes too thick - I use about a cup of pasta water.
- Season accordingly. Taste the sauce before adding salt as the prosciutto, Parmesan and salted pasta water can make this dish salty.
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