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Creamy Ham and Peas Bowtie Pasta with Bechamel (Besciamella) Sauce

Tender ham, vibrant peas, and bowtie pasta coated in a luscious homemade creamy sauce infused with nutmeg and a hint of white wine.
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Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: bechamel, creamy, ham, pasta, peas
Servings: 4 people

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.