Creamiest Ham and Cheese Pasta Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Whipping up a delightful creamy ham cheese pasta recipe can turn an ordinary evening into a culinary adventure.

Friends often request this comfort dish when they visit my kitchen.

Comfort meets elegance in this simple yet sophisticated meal that comes together with minimal effort.

Cheese melts beautifully, creating a silky sauce that hugs each pasta strand with warm embrace.

My grandmother taught me this recipe decades ago, and it remains a treasured family favorite.

Rich flavors blend seamlessly, promising a satisfying dinner that feels like a warm hug.

Weeknight meals never looked so tempting – you’ll want to savor every single bite.

Your Roadmap to Ham Cheese Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta Magic

Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring to a rolling boil. Toss in pasta and cook until perfectly tender. Scoop out a splash of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside for the flavor party.

Step 2: Sizzle Ham Goodness

Heat up a large skillet with a swirl of butter and olive oil. Toss in diced ham and let it dance around until golden and crispy.

Step 3: Create Dreamy Cream Sauce

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning

Stir until the sauce becomes silky smooth.

Step 4: Cheese and Veggie Fusion

• Shredded cheddar
• Parmesan cheese

Stir until the sauce transforms into a creamy wonderland. Toss in frozen peas and warm them through.

Step 5: Pasta and Sauce Tango

Slide the cooked pasta into the skillet. Twirl everything together until each pasta piece is coated in the luscious sauce. If it looks too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to loosen things up.

Step 6: Serve with Flair

Shower the dish with fresh chopped parsley. Plate it up and serve immediately. Pair with crunchy garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a meal that’ll make taste buds sing!

Tricks for Making Ham Cheese Pasta Better

• Pasta Water Magic: Save the starchy pasta water to thin out the sauce and help it cling better to the noodles, creating a perfectly creamy texture.
• Ham Browning Technique: Sauté ham until it develops a light golden color to enhance its flavor and add a subtle crispy texture to the dish.
• Cheese Melting Pro Tip: Remove the skillet from heat when adding cheese to prevent scorching and ensure a smooth, silky sauce that coats every pasta bite.
• Customize Your Dish: Swap ham with cooked chicken, bacon, or keep it vegetarian by using roasted vegetables for a personalized meal that suits your taste.
• Quick Freezer Shortcut: Prepare the entire dish ahead of time and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating with a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency.

Keep Ham Cheese Pasta for Later Like This

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled pasta to a freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months to preserve flavor and texture.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess and prevent drying out.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and maintain sauce consistency.

What Works Well with Ham Cheese Pasta

• Crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the creamy, cheesy pasta, cutting through the richness with their bright acidity.
• Prepare a tangy arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy cream sauce, adding a fresh and zesty counterpoint to the rich pasta dish.
• Toast crusty garlic bread or herbed focaccia to soak up the delicious sauce, providing a crunchy texture contrast to the creamy pasta.
• Roast asparagus spears with olive oil and sea salt, offering a light, green vegetable that enhances the meal's overall flavor profile and adds nutritional balance.

Fun Ways to Switch Up Ham Cheese Pasta

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ham with roasted mushrooms or crispy tofu cubes for a plant-based protein alternative. Use vegetable broth instead of cream for a lighter sauce.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour. Ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Trade pasta for spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Use lighter cream cheese or Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
• Spicy Protein Boost: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for heat. Include grilled chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken as a protein-rich substitute for ham.

Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta Q&A

• Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can use any pasta shape like penne, fusilli, or rotini. Just ensure it’s cooked al dente to maintain the right texture.

• Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Substitute ham with diced mushrooms, bell peppers, or plant-based protein alternatives like tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.

• What if I don't have both types of cheese?

You can use just one type of cheese. Cheddar or Parmesan will still provide a delicious, creamy flavor. Adjust the quantity to maintain the sauce’s consistency.

• How can I make the sauce less rich?

Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, or replace part of the cream with milk to reduce the richness while keeping the sauce creamy.

Why Ham Cheese Pasta Hits the Spot

• Easily adaptable recipe that welcomes ingredient swaps like different cheeses or protein options, ensuring everyone's taste preferences are satisfied.
• Packed with familiar flavors kids love – cheesy, creamy sauce and tender ham – guarantees clean plates and happy faces around the dinner table.
• Minimal cleanup required with this single-pan recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a delicious meal without creating a mountain of dishes to wash afterward.

Ingredients List for Ham Cheese Pasta

• Pasta: Provides the foundation for the creamy dish, choose medium-sized pasta shapes like penne or rotini for optimal sauce coating.

• Ham, Olive Oil, Butter: Ham adds protein and savory flavor, while olive oil and butter create a rich base for sautéing and developing depth.

• Heavy Cream, Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creates a luxurious, velvety sauce with complex cheesy flavor, select sharp cheddar for more intense taste.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Provides balanced and aromatic seasoning, enhancing overall dish complexity.

• Frozen Peas: Adds color, nutrition, and slight sweetness to the pasta, completely optional but recommended for balance.

• Fresh Parsley: Offers bright color and fresh herb flavor, enhances visual appeal and adds subtle freshness to the dish.

Creamy Ham Cheese Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comforting creamy ham cheese pasta brings Italian-inspired richness to weeknight dinner tables. Melted cheese and tender ham create a luscious sauce that wraps you in warmth with each delightful bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Cheese:

• 1 ½ cups (225 g) diced cooked ham
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Pasta and Thickeners:

• 300 g (10 ounces) pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Aromatics and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) milk
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)

Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Boil a generously salted water reservoir and submerge pasta until it reaches perfect al dente texture, maintaining a slight firmness. Preserve a half cup of starchy liquid before straining.
2. Activate a skillet with a harmonious blend of butter and olive oil over moderate heat. Introduce diced ham and caramelize for several minutes until edges transform into a golden-brown landscape.
3. Cascade heavy cream into the skillet and allow a gentle simmer to develop. Awaken the flavor profile by integrating garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, cracked pepper, and Italian herb blend.
4. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheese into the simmering liquid, whisking methodically until the sauce metamorphoses into a velvety, uniform consistency. Fold in frozen green peas and heat until they radiate warmth throughout the mixture.
5. Transfer cooked pasta into the creamy realm, gently tumbling to ensure each strand becomes thoroughly enrobed. Should the sauce appear overly dense, strategically introduce reserved pasta water to achieve an ideal, silky texture.
6. Elevate the dish with a delicate shower of freshly chopped parsley. Present piping hot, accompanied by crisp garlic bread or a vibrant garden salad for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Pasta Selection Matters: Choose short pasta shapes like penne or rotini that capture the creamy sauce better than long noodles.
• Ham Swap Options: Use bacon, pancetta, or rotisserie chicken as delicious protein alternatives for different flavor profiles.
• Cream Sauce Rescue: If sauce breaks or separates, lower heat and whisk continuously while adding a splash of cold pasta water to stabilize.
• Dietary Modifications: Make this gluten-free by using alternative pasta, or create a lighter version with half-and-half instead of heavy cream.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg