This Ham and Pasta Skillet Dinner is one of the easiest and most delicious weeknight dinners! Tender pasta, savory ham, peas, and a light lemon parmesan sauce all in one skillet for a quick family meal everyone will love.
Why This Leftover Ham Pasta Recipe Works
After holidays like Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, it’s common to have extra ham in the refrigerator. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights because it uses simple ingredients, cooks quickly, and only requires one pan. In about 30 minutes, you’ll have a cozy dinner on the table that the whole family will love.
Here’s why your family will love this recipe:
- Quick and easy – ready in about 30 minutes
- 1 frying pan available – fewer dishes to wash
- Great for holding leftovers. It’s the perfect way to use up all that ham.
- Kid-friendly – Simple flavors that kids love
- Balance – Eat pasta, protein, and vegetables in one meal.
Lemon juice brightens the dish and Parmesan cheese adds richness, creating a light sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
Tips for the best ham pasta skillet:
- Don’t overcook the pasta — Al dente works best in the skillet because it continues to cook.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese For better melting and flavor.
- Add pasta water if needed Dissolve the sauce.
- Boil the sauce moderately. So it coats the pasta without getting soggy.
easy transformation
This recipe is very flexible depending on what you have in your fridge.
Add more vegetables
Try adding the following:
- asparagus
- spinach
- broccoli
- mushroom
Make it creamy
For a richer sauce, mix in ¼ cup heavy cream or cream cheese.
Change your pasta
This dish goes well with:
- penne
- Rotin
- shell
- whole wheat pasta
Add fresh herbs
Fresh parsley or basil adds a bright finish.
Storage and reheating
refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 hour. 4 days.
Reheat: To loosen the sauce, lightly warm it in a frying pan with a splash of broth or water.
freezing: If possible, this recipe is best enjoyed fresh, as pasta dishes tend to lose their texture when frozen.
More Easy Skillet Dinners:
Ham and Pasta Skillet
This ham and pasta skillet dinner is comforting, flavorful, and the perfect way to turn leftover ham into a fresh, satisfying dinner.
Serving Size: 6
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. The pasta continues to cook slightly in the skillet afterwards. Drain well and keep aside.
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter melts. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, 4 to 6 minutes.
Stir in chopped ham, basil, and oregano. Cook until the ham is warm and flavorful, 2 to 3 minutes more.
Add chicken broth and lemon juice to a frying pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is reduced by approximately half, about 10 minutes.
Add frozen peas and cook until heated through. Add the drained pasta and ½ cup Parmesan cheese and toss everything together so the pasta can absorb the delicious sauce.
Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top and serve immediately.
