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This One Skillet Ham & Cheese Pasta is a weeknight winner ready in less than 30 minutes that makes EVERYONE need seconds. Change up the pasta, and the cheese, but make it over and over!
We’re in the throes of summer, and I just don’t feel like standing in my kitchen for hours on end after a day at work. Are you like me (most of the time) and get home and stand at the fridge/pantry and wonder what the heck you’re going to serve for dinner?
This One Skillet Ham & Cheese Pasta is a weeknight winner ready in less than 30 minutes that makes EVERYONE need seconds. Change up the pasta, and the cheese, but make it over and over!
How to make Ham & Cheese Pasta:
- In a large skillet, melt the butter.
- Add the onions, and cook over a medium-high heat until onions soften.
- Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add the ham, and cook 1 minute.
- Add the pasta, stock, half & half and some salt and pepper and stir well.
- Cover, and bring a boil, then turn down the heat to medium and cook, stirring until pasta is tender (about 8-10 minutes).
- Add the cheese and mix in until well combined.
- Devour.
I used to be such a diligent meal planner, but lately – I’ve been super busy with work, and at the end of the day – I’m pretty drained, and have zero creative thoughts. Which really means I NEED to plan, but I since I don’t have time – I just keep my fridge and pantry reasonably well stocked, so I can always pull a quick meal together in very little time.
This dinner was born from necessity, ie, we were hungry, I had these ingredients, and we needed to eat SOON! We almost ALWAYS have cheese, ham, garlic, onions and pasta as well as stock, and some half & half, so this meal almost makes itself!! I sent the family out to swim for 30 minutes, and managed to get this on the table before they were even done – so I jumped in with them!
Ingredients for Ham & Cheese Pasta:
- Butter – salted or unsalted. Can easily sub cooking oil if that is what you have on hand!
- Onion – don’t leave this out! Dice it up finely
- Garlic – feel free to double the amount, I do!
- Ham – can be deli ham, leftover ham from the holidays, or right out of the container from the store.
- Pasta – any shape will do, short pasta vs spaghetti or fettuccine do work best
- Chicken Stock – make your own, or grab it from the store
- Half & half – this is key – and make the pasta creamy!
- Cheese – Monterey Jack, provolone, swiss or cheddar are all excellent choices here
Top Tips for Ham & Cheese Pasta
You can easily change this recipe up by switching out the cheese for cheddar or pepper jack, using leftover ham from a holiday meal, even turkey would be great in this! You are limited only by your pantry and what you are willing to try.
I sometimes add green beans or peas (if I think I can get away with it), and it adds a lovely pop of color, as well as beefing up the nutrition content.
Want more pasta recipes?
- Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta
- Easy Skillet Mac & Cheese
- Broccoli Chicken Alfredo Pasta
- Chicken Pesto Pasta from West via Midwest
- Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta from Lemon Blossoms
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- 2 Tbs butter
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 9 oz deli ham chopped
- 1 lb pasta any shape
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup half & half
- Salt and pepper
- 1 ½ cups Monterey Jack cheese
- In a large skillet, melt the butter.
- Add the onions, and cook over a medium high heat until onions soften.
- Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add the ham, and cook 1 minute.
- Add the pasta, stock, half & half and some salt and pepper and stir well.
Cover, and bring a boil, then turn down the heat to medium and cook, stirring until pasta is tender (about 8-10 minutes).
- Add the cheese and mix in until well combined.
- Devour.
Recipe Video
Top Tips for Ham & Cheese Pasta
You can easily change this recipe up by switching out the cheese for cheddar or pepper jack, using leftover ham from a holiday meal, even turkey would be great in this! You are limited only by your pantry and what you are willing to try.
I sometimes add green beans or peas (if I think I can get away with it), and it adds a lovely pop of color, as well as beefing up the nutrition content.
Kate
I can’t NOT meal plan. It just makes a hard part of the day so much easier.
Danielle
This is the kind of meal i just like to sit down with the pan and eat it forkful by forkful until it is gone. Without sharing. Or using a plate. Just the pan is fine.
I’m super impressed you made it and photographed it in 30 minutes. I’ve got to get some tips from you!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
This is my kind of dinner and one my entire family would love. Love that it comes together super quick – sometimes that’s the key to keeping everyone (including me) happy! 🙂