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    Home | All Recipes | Italian Recipes

    Easy and Creamy Ham and Mushroom Pasta

    Published: Mar 29, 2021 · Modified: Jul 24, 2022 by Elle

    Jump to Recipe

    Ham and mushroom pasta is an easy Italian-style dish, perfect for any occasion. Ready in under 30 minutes, this creamy pasta dish requires very few ingredients to deliver delicious flavor and a lip-smacking result. Spaghetti al dente are dressed with ham, sauteed mushrooms, herbs, and delicious cream... sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on top before serving for the ultimate experience!

    Ham and mushroom pasta
    Jump to:
    • Ham and Mushroom Pasta Ingredients
    • How to make ham and mushroom pasta?
    • People Also Ask [FAQs]
    • Tips and Tricks for Ham and Mushroom Pasta
    • Recipe

    While food is a key ingredient in everyone's life, everyday commitments can sometimes take over and we may find ourselves rushing to get something half-decent on the table.

    We Italians, I have to admit, are quite lucky.

    Pasta takes a handful of minutes to cook, depending on the packet instructions and type/shape, and sauces can be made out of most ingredients, especially if you have some Mediterranean vegetables in the fridge.

    This creamy ham and mushroom sauce offers just that.

    The possibility of eating a flavorful meal without the need to spend hours in front of the hob, leaving you loads of free time to do everything else you need to do or love doing!

    Chopped chestnut mushrooms or button mushrooms are sauteed with cooked ham, parsley, and cracked black pepper, then dressed with heavy cream [or cream cheese and milk, as an alternative], and, finally, topped with delicious spaghetti, cooked to al dente perfection.

    Serve with some grated Parmesan and enjoy every single bite!

    Creamy Ham and mushroom pasta
    Ham and Mushroom Spaghetti

    Ham and Mushroom Pasta Ingredients

    • Spaghetti: Or any dry pasta you like! Tagliatelle, rigatoni, penne, and fusilli all work wonderfully well in this Mediterranean recipe.
    • Mushrooms: While I use chestnut mushrooms the most, any kind will do. Portobello and button mushrooms are others that I have tried and they deliver very well while being affordable and easy to find.
    • Ham: This is a 'whatever kind you find recipe'! Ham hock, cooked ham, leftover roast ham, or sliced, are all fabulous and work just so well. Use up what you have!
    • Olive Oil: To sautee the mushrooms, a little extra virgin olive oil really does go a long way. Should you not have it, use unflavored vegetable oil, such as sunflower.
    • Cream: Thick, double cream is quick to use and delivers on every aspect. Milk mixed with cream cheese is a good alternative, should you not want to go down to the shops!
    • Parsley: Dry or fresh parsley, or other Italian spices and herbs, such as thyme, if you prefer.
    • Salt, and Pepper: To taste.
    Creamy Ham and mushroom spaghetti with broccoli

    How to make ham and mushroom pasta?

    1. Chop the mushrooms and sauté them in a pan on medium heat for 2-3 minutes, then cover them with a lid and allow them to cook for a further 5 minutes.
    2. Once the mushrooms are cooked, add the chopped ham, black pepper and parsley and mix well. Do not allow the mushroom water to evaporate, as it will help make this dish even tastier and creamier.
    Chopped chestnut mushrooms in fryingpan
    Ham mushrooms parsley cracked black pepper
    1. Cook the spaghetti as per packet instructions in a large saucepan filled with salted boiling water.
    2. Next, add the cream and spaghetti to the frying pan with the ham and mushrooms and saute for a couple of minutes.
    3. ALTERNATIVE: Should you not have or like cream, warm some milk in the microwave and mix it with some cream cheese; mix these two together until a smooth cream is achieved.
    4. Enjoy on its own or with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or Pecorino cheese on top.
    Ham mushrooms parsley cracked black pepper spaghetti heavy cream
    Ham and Mushroom spaghetti in frying pan

    People Also Ask [FAQs]

    How to cook spaghetti?

    Fill up a pot with water and bring to the boil; once the water is boiling, salt it, and add the spaghetti.
    Allow the parts of the spaghetti that do not fit in the saucepan to sit on the sides of it.
    After about thirty seconds, the submerged part of the pasta will start to soften and you can start patting the dry extremities in.
    After a further thirty seconds, with the help of a mixing spoon you will be able to mix the whole spaghetti in the water without breaking them.

    dry spaghetti in boiling water
    spaghetti simmering in water

    How to store ham and mushroom pasta?

    • Sauce Only: The sauce can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen on its own for up to three months. Fully thaw the sauce in the fridge overnight, before warming it up on in a saucepan on low heat.
    • With Pasta or Spaghetti: I would recommend cooking only the pasta you intend to eat and storing any excess sauce on its own. Should you cook too much, store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two days. When reheating, the pasta may become overcooked, however, you will need to add a few tablespoons of water to it while in the saucepan to bring some of the creaminess back.

    Tips and Tricks for Ham and Mushroom Pasta

    • Creamy Pasta Dish: If following the recipe as it is, either heavy cream or unsweetened whipping cream work well.
    • Lighter Version: Should you prefer, a cream can be created by mixing warm milk with cream cheese. Should you not be able to eliminate all the knots of the cheese when mixing with the milk, it doesn't matter, as these will dissolve when cooking with the pasta. The result will be not as thick as the cream, but it will still be delicious.
    • Cooking Water: Don't throw away all the cooking water, but keep a cup of it on the side. Should your ham and mushroom sauce become too thick, add a little of the cooking water to the sauce; this will make it moist while keeping it creamy.
    • Al Dente: I can't stress enough how important it is NOT to overcook the pasta.
    • Garlic: A crushed and thinly sliced garlic clove is the perfect addition if you are looking for a kick. Add it to the olive oil 30 seconds before adding the mushrooms.
    Creamy Ham and mushroom spaghetti in bowl

    An ideal winter warmer, this creamy pasta dish is the perfect mid-week dinner savior!

    All you need are some veggies on the side, like a simple green salad, some roasted fennel, or roasted Mediterranean vegetables, and you are good to go.

    Once your creamy ham and mushroom pasta is served, remember to sprinkle a little grated Parmesan... I mentioned it before, and it's really worth it!

    🥗 Have a look at these pasta dishes too:

    • green bean pasta tuna spaghetti
      Easy One-Pot Green Bean Pasta With Tuna
    • tuna pasta recipe
      Perfect Tomato and Tuna Pasta Recipe
    • simple mediterranean pasta eggplant zucchini pepper vegan 30 minute weight-loss
      Yummy Italian Vegetable Sauce for Pasta
    • the best spaghetti bolognese recipe traditional
      The Best Bolognese Sauce Recipe

    Recipe

    Ham and Mushroom pasta

    Easy and Creamy Ham and Mushroom Pasta

    Elle
    Ham, mushrooms, and cream for a quick, easy, and delicious meal, ready in under 30 minutes.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 2 portions
    Calories 725 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 160 g Dry Spaghetti
    • 1 Tbps Olive Oil
    • 250 g Chestnut Mushrooms
    • 100 g Ham Hock (or sliced ham)
    • 100 ml Heavy Cream or unsweetened whipping cream
    • 1 teaspoon Dry Parsley
    • Salt and Pepper to Taste

    Instructions
     

    • Chop the mushrooms in halves or quarters, depending on their size.
    • Add the olive oil to a frying pan and sauté the mushrooms over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
    • Cover the frying pan with a lid and allow the mushrooms to cook for a further 5 minutes.
    • Once the mushrooms are cooked, reduce the heat to low, and add the chopped ham, black pepper and parsley and mix well.
    • Cook the spaghetti as per packet instructions in a large saucepan filled with salted boiling water.
    • Next, add the cream and spaghetti to the frying pan with the ham and mushrooms and saute for a couple of minutes, until you reach the desired consistency.
    • ALTERNATIVE: Should you not have or like cream, warm some milk in the microwave and mix it with some cream cheese; mix these two together until a smooth cream is achieved.
    • Enjoy on its own or with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or Pecorino cheese on top.

    Notes

    • Creamy Pasta Dish: If following the recipe as it is, either heavy cream or unsweetened whipping cream work well.
    • Lighter Version: Should you prefer, a cream can be created by mixing warm milk with cream cheese. Should you not be able to eliminate all the knots of the cheese when mixing with the milk, it doesn't matter, as these will dissolve when cooking with the pasta. The result will be not as thick as the cream, but it will still be delicious.
    • Cooking Water: Don't throw away all the cooking water, but keep a cup of it on the side. Should your ham and mushroom sauce become too thick, add a little of the cooking water to the sauce; this will make it moist while keeping it creamy.
    • Al Dente: I can't stress enough how important it is NOT to overcook the pasta.
    • Garlic: A crushed and thinly sliced garlic clove is the perfect addition if you are looking for a kick. Add it to the olive oil 30 seconds before adding the mushrooms.
    • Store: The ham and mushroom sauce store well on its own in the fridge for 2-3 days, however, I would recommend cooking the pasta when ready to eat. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 725kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 29gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 151mgPotassium: 971mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 740IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 83mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword ham and mushroom pasta
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Victoria

      November 02, 2022 at 5:06 pm

      Okay this was SUPERB!!! Mushrooms and pasta are my weakness in life. I have never found a good recipe for at home, plus they always have sooo many ingredients. This was so easy and FULL of flavour. (I opted out of putting ham in and it works). I went with cream cheese and milk as that's what I had at home. This will now be eaten so much, I'll have to be crane lifted out of the house. Thank you for another gorgeous recipe.5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        November 03, 2022 at 8:54 pm

        Thank you, Victoria! So glad you liked this one too - I do eat loads of mushrooms too and use them in pasta and rice all the time!
        If you like pasta and veggies [with a bit of heat!] have a look at this Pasta with Broccoli and let me know your thoughts!

        Reply
    2. Beth

      August 20, 2021 at 3:08 pm

      This is such a delicious and bursting with flavor pasta! My family and I have had this for dinner a few times already, and we just love this recipe! Such a great dinner recipe and I can't wait to make this again!5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        August 20, 2021 at 4:20 pm

        Thank you, Beth!

        Reply
    3. Suzy

      August 20, 2021 at 12:37 pm

      This came out great! The flavor was so delicious, we kept going back for more! It was perfectly creamy too!5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        August 20, 2021 at 1:07 pm

        Thank you, Suzy! I'm very glad you liked it!

        Reply
    4. Gina

      August 20, 2021 at 12:30 pm

      Ham and mushrooms go so well together and with a creamy pasta it's an irresistible pairing! Delicious recipe that's so easy to make!5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        August 20, 2021 at 1:07 pm

        Thank you, Gina! I have to agree, ham and mushroom are a great pairing!

        Reply
    5. Tavo

      August 20, 2021 at 12:05 pm

      It was delicious! Thanks for sharing! Loved how all the flavors played together!5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        August 20, 2021 at 1:06 pm

        Thank you, Tavo!

        Reply
    6. Kechi

      August 20, 2021 at 10:57 am

      What a delightful and tasty recipe! I can’t wait to give it a try! Am always on the look out for new ways to enjoy mushrooms! YUM5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        August 20, 2021 at 1:06 pm

        Thank you, Kechi! I do love mushrooms too and this recipe is very easy and quick!

        Reply
    7. Sam

      February 17, 2021 at 11:30 am

      This was simple recipe and very yummy thanks!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        February 17, 2021 at 1:01 pm

        Thank you, Sam! Really appreciate it! ?

        Reply
    8. Gill

      February 17, 2021 at 11:29 am

      Very tasty -- plus quick and easy. Even good the next day.5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        February 17, 2021 at 1:00 pm

        Thank you, Gill! ??

        Reply
    9. Hettigal Paul

      February 17, 2021 at 11:28 am

      Really good recipe, I think the key to success is use fresh pasta and get your ratio of noodles to mushrooms right.

      Reply
      • Elle

        February 17, 2021 at 1:00 pm

        Thank you, Hettigal! ? If you are counting calories, be mindful of fresh pasta!

        Reply
    10. Tess

      February 17, 2021 at 11:27 am

      Delicious! I'm not usually the type to enjoy mushroom based dishes, but this was an absolute treat!5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        February 17, 2021 at 12:59 pm

        Thank you, Tess! ?

        Reply

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    Elle Author (Spice and Life)

    Thank you for being here. If you are having a look around, it is most probably because you too love cooking with herbs and spices and are looking for your next recipe, tip, or trick.

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