Creamy Pasta with Prosciutto & Peas

Creamy Pasta with Prosciutto & Peas

Here's a delicious pasta dish that has been lightened up with fat free half & half instead of regular cream and prosciutto instead of pancetta.  Even my super picky 4 year old likes it!  This dish sounds complicated but is actually super simple.  All of the steps for the sauce were completed during the pasta cooking time.  Fridge to table estimate is 20 minutes!  We like to have it with fresh cut fruit.

Ingredients

1/2 lb pasta

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 lb Prosciutto, cut into small squares

1 clove minced garlic

2 tablespoons butter or All Purpose I Can't Believe It's Not Butter

1 very small white onion, finely diced

3/4 cup fat free half and half OR 1/2 cup half and half w/ 1/4 cup ricotta

1 cup frozen peas

1/4-1/2 cup Italian cheese blend

Directions:

Boil the pasta according to package directions.  The picture above is with Earth Fare Whole Grain Gnocchi.  I love this noodle because it is able to hold the peas and prosciutto in the pasta ensuring that each bite has a little bit of everything.  Orecchietti or any shell pasta would be delicious. 

Add the peas the last minute of cooking to warm through and then drain and set aside.

While the pasta boils, heat olive oil in a saucepan.  Add garlic and stir until fragrant then add the prosciutto.  Cook until golden brown and set aside in a separate bowl. 

Next, take your saucepan and melt your butter and then add your onions.  Cook the onions until they are soft and begin to brown.  Add the salt and pepper to taste and then add the prosciutto.  Once that is warmed back up, put a few pieces of pancetta into your half & half to bring the temperature of the half & half up.  (So that it does not curdle.)  Add the half & half or the mixture of half & half/ricotta to the pan and simmer until thickened.  (2-4 minutes.)  I like the ricotta mixture. 

Note: Ricotta can be frozen in smaller amounts to be added to recipe's like this.  Behold the many uses of the Ice Cube Tray! 

Add the pasta & peas to the mixture and stir to combine.  Finally add the cheese blend. If you want a creamier pasta, you can add a touch more half & half or a bit of pasta water. 

Serves 4

This recipe is an adaptation of Orecchietti with Peas, Pancetta & Cream.  Click here for the original recipe.