Simple and Easy Ham and Pea with Fettuccini Recipe

Are you looking for a quick lazy day pasta recipe? This one is a family favorite and on my meal plan pretty regularly. You’re going to love this Ham and Pea with Fettuccini recipe.

The time it takes to boil the water and cook the pasta is all the time it takes to make this recipe. It’s ready in about 20 minutes.

lazy day ham & pea pasta recipe plated on a white plate with a slice of French buttered bread

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Planning a Meal on a Busy or Lazy Day

This recipe is one that I can switch it around in the week if I’m having a hectic day or I’m just exhausted and too lazy to cook what was planned.

I always keep ham sliced in the freezer as well as frozen peas. I also always have pasta in my pantry. The refrigerated items are also a staple in my house.

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Ham and Peas with Fettuccini

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 30 minute meal, ham and pea with pasta, Pasta recipe
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 424kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 pound Kraukus Ham, sliced thin I get the ham sliced from the deli and then I slice it into thin strips
  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 tbsp butter softened
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 12 oz. fettuccini
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Ham & Pea Mixture

  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in saute pan over medium heat. Add garlic and stir until fragrant (about 1 minute). Stir in the shredded ham and thawed peas. Saute over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Take off the heat, set it aside, and keep warm.

Pasta

  • Cook pasta according to package direction and drain

Sauce

  • Put softened butter, sour cream, and parmesan cheese into a large mixing bowl.

Putting Everything Together

  • Put the hot drained noodles over the sauce ingredients that are in a large mixing bowl. Add salt and pepper if using
  • Toss until noodles are completely coated with butter, sour cream, and parmesan cheese. Then add the ham and pea mixture to this and continue tossing until well combined.
  • Serve immediately

Notes

You can use additional grated parmesan cheese on the side for garnish

Nutrition

Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 642mg | Potassium: 342mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 488IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 2mg
Yum
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.
ham cut into thin slices for ham and pea pasta recipe

Lazy Day Ham & Pea Pasta Recipe

When I initially found a recipe similar to this, it used way too much butter, sour cream, and parmesan cheese for my liking.

It was much heavier, almost like an alfredo. When I lightened it up, it tasted just as good and it really is something that we enjoy all year long.

A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.

What Kind of Pasta Should I Use?

This recipe calls for fettuccine but you can use just about anything that you have. The following pasta would be my suggestion to use if you have them on hand. They all can stand up to tossing and the weight of the cream sauce.

  • Fettuccine – This is a flatter broader pasta than spaghetti
  • Linguini – Linguini is more delicate than fettucini. It isn’t as broad or as thick as fettucini
  • Spaghetti – Spaghetti is a long, thin, solid, cylindrical pasta
  • Bow-Tie Pasta – Also known as Farfalle is a pasta shaped like a bow-tie
  • Rotini – This is a short cork-screw pasta

There are some great “pasta” that is now readily available that is healthier for you. We often use the Banza Brand chickpea pasta. Barilla makes some amazing gluten-free options. Most brands also have great whole-wheat varieties.

A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.

Alternatives

If you’re not a ham fan you can make this simple by shredding up a rotisserie chicken and adding the chicken instead of the ham.

Instead of Peas:

  • Asparagus tips
  • Broccoli
  • Green Beans
  • Spinach

Side Dish Ideas

Pasta is one of my absolute favorite things and it takes a lot of self-control to not have it several times a week. As I’ve mentioned in past posts, I use zucchini noodles for many things but there is no substituting real pasta for a dish like this, at least in my opinion.

Looking for More Pasta Ideas?

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Bon Appétit!

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Meet Me

My name is Lynn. I live in the suburbs of Chicago in a 1,300 sq. ft. home with my Handy husband, Keith.

I’m an open book about my life on my blog. You can find out more about me by visiting my About page.

A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.

A great way to save this recipe is to add it to one of your Pinterest boards. You can find the pin button on the top left of the photo when you click on it. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest.

A close-up of fettuccine pasta mixed with sliced ham and peas, topped with a creamy sauce. A slice of bread rests at the plate's edge. Discover our "Lazy Day Ham & Pea Pasta Recipe," the perfect simple and delicious weeknight meal.
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.
Close-up of a bowl of cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, uncooked pasta, and ingredients for a holiday cocktail on a kitchen countertop. Text overlay reads, "What's in My Cart This Week at The Small House Kitchen.
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.

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