Indulge in the creamy delight of Ham and Peas Bowtie Pasta. Tender ham, vibrant peas, and bowtie pasta coated in a luscious homemade creamy sauce infused with nutmeg and a hint of white wine. A perfect harmony of flavors and textures that’s quick to prepare and sure to satisfy. Dive into this comfort classic today!
Tackling Picky Eaters: A Personal Insight
Hey there, let’s chat about a relatable topic â dealing with picky eaters under your roof. Can you believe that I’m surrounded by them too? It’s a real challenge! Here’s the kicker: no one here touches tomato sauce… well, unless it’s smothered over chicken parmigiana. Go figure, right? Inconsistencies abound! But fret not, I’ve got a solution that’s sure to brighten up your pasta nights. Ever felt stuck in a pasta rut? Or faced those scrunched-up noses at the mere mention of tomato-based sauces? Trust me, you’re in good company. As someone who truly enjoys the array of flavors out there, I stumbled upon a mouthwatering fix â Ham and Pea Bow Tie Pasta. Join me in this post, and let’s embark on a delightful journey to craft a dish that brings together the velvety allure of homemade sauce, the savory charm of ham, and the burst of freshness from peas. It’s time to give your pasta routine an exciting makeover!
Ingredients for the Sauce
- Creamy Sauce: The piĂšce de rĂ©sistance, our creamy sauce is a dreamy blend of butter, flour, milk, and a dash of white wine (if you’re feeling adventurous). Nutmeg (which I forgot to include in the picture, sorry!) adds a cozy warmth, and a sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper rounds out the flavors.
Ingredients for the Ham and Peas Pasta:
- Ham: Begin with the heartiness of diced ham, adding depth and a satisfying meaty element.
- Peas: Inject vibrant color and freshness with sweet peas that burst in your mouth with every bite.
- Bow Tie Pasta: These elegant pasta shapes are not only visually appealing but also perfect for trapping the creamy sauce.
Directions for the Ham and Peas pasta:
Step 1: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add 2 tsp of salt to the boiling water.
Step 2: While waiting for the water to boil, dice the ham and finely chop the onion.
Step 3: In a nonstick large skillet over medium heat, drizzle a bit of olive oil. Add the diced ham and cook until it starts to brown.
Step 4: If the water is boiling, add the bowtie pasta to the pot and cook according to the instructions on the box
Step 5: Then, to your skillet, add the chopped onions and continue cooking until the onions are translucent and slightly browned.
Step 5: Once the onions have cooked and the ham is browned, add the frozen peas to the skillet. Stir them for a minute or two until they turn a vibrant green and are no longer frozen. Set it aside until your pasta is ready.
Step 6: Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the pan with the ham.
Directions for the sauce:
Step 1: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the all-purpose flour and vigorously stir with a wooden spoon for about 2 minutes, creating a roux.
Step 2: Add the all-purpose flour
Step 3: vigorously stir with a wooden spoon for about 2 minutes, creating a roux.
Step 4: Pour the cold milk into the pot all at once. Switch to a wire whisk and mix well until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.1 L of milk
Step 5: Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
Step 6 Season the sauce with a pinch of nutmeg, 2 tsp of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. If you’d like, you can also add 3 tbsp of white wine for extra flavor.
Step 7: You can choose to either pour the creamy sauce over the pasta or serve it on the side for individual customization.
Creamy Ham and Peas Bowtie Pasta with Bechamel (Besciamella) Sauce
Equipment
- 1 large pot to boil water
- 1 medium size pan to make the sauce
- 1 whisk
- 1 large nonstick skillet
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 410 g of bowtie pasta
- 4 tbsp of all-purpose flour
- 4 tbsp of butter
- 1 L of milk
- 1 pinch of nutmeg
- 2 tsp of salt
- 3 tbsp of white wine optional
- 700 g of ham
- 3/4 cup of peas
- 1/2 onion
- Olive oil
Instructions
Prepare the Pasta:
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add 2 tsp of salt to the boiling water.
- While waiting for the water to boil, dice the ham and finely chop the onion.700 g of ham, 1/2 onion
- In a nonstick large skillet over medium heat, drizzle a bit of olive oil. Add the diced ham and cook until it starts to brown.700 g of ham, Olive oil
- If the water is boiling, add the bowtie pasta to the pot and cook according to the instructions on the box. Drain the cooked pasta
- Then, add the chopped onions and continue cooking until the onions are translucent and slightly browned.1/2 onion
- Once the onions have cooked and the ham is browned, add the frozen peas to the skillet. Stir them for a minute or two until they turn a vibrant green and are no longer frozen. (set it aside until your pasta is ready)3/4 cup of peas
Prepare the Creamy Sauce :
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the all-purpose flour and vigorously stir with a wooden spoon for about 2 minutes, creating a roux.4 tbsp of butter, 4 tbsp of all-purpose flour
- Pour the cold milk into the pot all at once. Switch to a wire whisk and mix well until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.1 L of milk
- Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Season the sauce with a pinch of nutmeg, 2 tsp of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. If you’d like, you can also add 3 tbsp of white wine for extra flavor.1 pinch of nutmeg, 2 tsp of salt, 3 tbsp of white wine
Combine and serve
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and mix everything together, ensuring the ingredients are well combined.
- You can choose to either pour the creamy sauce over the pasta or serve it on the side for individual customization.
Sauce perfection tip
- If the sauce becomes lumpy at any point, don’t worry. Simply transfer it to a blender and blend until smooth. Return the sauce to the pot and heat gently, stirring, until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Enjoy your comforting and delicious creamy ham and peas bowtie pasta!
- Note: Feel free to adjust the seasonings and ingredients according to your taste preferences.
FAQ
My bechamel sauce turned out lumpy. How can I fix it?
If the sauce becomes lumpy at any point, don’t worry. Simply transfer it to a blender and blend until smooth. Return the sauce to the pot and heat gently, stirring, until it reaches the desired consistency.
I have kids and there is wine in this sauce. What should I do?
Parents, we understand the complexity of catering to varying tastes, especially when little ones are involved. If your household includes kids and you opt to exclude the wine, fear not â the sauce will still work without the wine. Just omit it
Opening a whole bottle of wine just to use three tablespoons feels like a waste if you do not intend to drink the whole bottle. Indeed! we’re all about making every dime count. So, here’s the scoop: no more pouring money down the drain. I’ve got the ultimate fix to never toss out wine again. check it out here.
Leftovers:
You have leftover you can store them in an airtight container inside your fridge for up to three days. Reheat using your microwave.
Leftover ingredients:
With this recipe, food wastage becomes a thing of the past.
Leftover onion? Pop the other half in your fridge or freeze it for later use. (I would chop it to make your life easier when its time to use it)
Extra ham? Freeze the unused portion for your next round of this dish. (if you chop it it will thaw faster when you need it, but you don’t have to chop it)
Surplus wine? Discover what to do next by clicking here.
From conquering picky eater dilemmas to embracing innovative ways to use leftovers, this recipe embodies the spirit of creativity and resourcefulness in the kitchen. So, savor not only the creamy richness on your plate but also the memories made along the way. Bon appétit!
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