Creamy Penne Pasta With Ham And Peas

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 4 cups penne pasta, uncooked
• 1 cup peas, frozen petite
• 1 1/2 cups ham, chopped small
• 2 cups milk
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 5 -6 garlic cloves, chopped (or more!)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, lite is wonderful in this
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 -2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• fresh pepper (to taste)

Recipe

• 1 bring large pot of water to boil and add pasta, cooking to al dente.
• 2 add peas last 2-3 minutes to pasta.
• 3 scoop out 1 cup pasta water, then drain, and place in a large serving dish.
• 4 whisk flour into milk (or shake together in a jar) till mixed well.
• 5 in skillet, pour olive oil in and add ham, cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until ham is crispy. remove to paper towel to drain.
• 6 in sauce pan, melt butter (or use more olive oil) and saute garlic over medium low for about 2-3 minutes (if you love garlic, feel free to add more!).
• 7 whisk in milk/flour mixture and add chipped cream cheese, whisking till melted into sauce smoothly. add parmesan cheese and whisk till incorporated.
• 8 in large dish with pasta and peas, toss in crispy ham, and any other vegetables you want (optional).
• 9 pour sauce over pasta and mix, pouring in pasta water till nice and creamy.
• 10 top with more parmesan and fresh ground pepper.
• 11 serve immediately with tossed salad and garlic bread. yum!