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–+ servings
5 from 4 votes
Creamy ham and asparagus pasta in a blue and white bowl on a white wooden table with a glass of rose wine, salt and pepper.
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Creamy Ham and Asparagus Pasta
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
22 mins
 
Creamy ham and asparagus pasta is a delicious meal for any night of the week. This quick dinner cooks up in the same time that it takes to boil the pasta and yet is decadent and delicious.
Course: Entrées
Cuisine: Italian, American
Keyword: Pasta, One Pot Meal, Quick and Easy, Pork
Servings: 2
Calories: 1090 kcal
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces dried spaghetti (or other pasta)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • ½ bunch asparagus sliced 1½-inches on the bias
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ - ½ cup water
  • ¼ pound thinly sliced or shaved ham
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • zest of ½ lemon
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a boil. Once at a rolling boil, drop in the dried spaghetti and cook according to the package directions – usually 12 minutes. Continue with the rest of the recipe while the pasta cooks.
  2. Pre-heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sauté the onion for 4 to 5 minutes, until it begins to soften.
  3. Add the asparagus and sauté for a couple of minutes. Pour in ¼ to ½ cup of water, cover and let the asparagus steam with the onions.
  4. Uncover, add the ham and cook on low heat for about 2 minutes. Pour in the cream and leave the pan on the heat just until the cream has been warmed through. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
  5. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, combining with the other ingredients. Add the reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the desired sauce consistency – between ¼ and ½ cup. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  6. Serve the pasta with lemon zest sprinkled on top.
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Ham and Asparagus Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1090 Calories from Fat 549
% Daily Value*
Fat 61g94%
Saturated Fat 25g125%
Cholesterol 139mg46%
Sodium 1671mg70%
Potassium 608mg17%
Carbohydrates 95g32%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 39g78%
Vitamin A 1121IU22%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 358mg36%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.