Parmesan Noodles with Ham

Have you ever stood in your kitchen and it’s nearly dinner time and you really just don’t want to do much more than boil a pot of water?  Boy, I sure have!  Well, here’s a great dish for those nights.  I had a ham in the freezer that I bought on a really good sale and froze it until such time I decided I wanted a baked ham.  Well, that such time was the other day.  There’s only the two of us in the house now, so there was plenty of leftover ham.  Aside from just slicing the ham straight out of the oven and eating it with or without sides, (which makes ma a happy camper) I also have a wonderful super easy noodle dish that is our ‘go to’ for leftover ham.  There’s really no measurements involved either.  However, I have attached a recipe with a good ratio of ingredients that works for us.

Once in a while, I like to add something green to this, not often, just once in a while.  Well, I was in the mood for some oven roasted Brussels sprouts and after roasting them, I decided to throw them into the noodles alongside the ham.  Totally optional though.  This is also such a kid friendly meal.  What kid doesn’t like noodles and cheese and ham?

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Here’s how I make it.

Parmesan Noodles with Ham

Parmesan Noodles with Ham

Prepare the spaghetti according to the package instructions in salty water.  Just before draining, grab a mug full of the hot pasta water and set aside.  I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to remember to do this until I’m actually draining the pasta.  But it is!  About the time there’s only a little left, do I remember and try to grab that mug to fill it up with what’s left and making a mess while I’m at it.  Yes, I’ll have that mug even sitting on the counter next to the pot!  I guess I’m just preoccupied with getting this together quickly as possible so we can eat.  Anyway, do not rinse the pasta but I do put it back into the hot pot and put it on the stove with the burner turned OFF.

Parmesan Noodles with Ham

During the time that the pasta is boiling, dice up the ham and if you’re using a fresh block of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grate about 3/4 – 1 cup and set aside.  (the green canister works just fine too)  It’s better to assemble the pasta with the other ingredients when the pasta is still hot.

Parmesan Noodles with Ham

Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the hot pasta and toss with tongs to coat.

   Parmesan Noodles with Ham

Then add the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and fresh cracked pepper, tossing again.

 Parmesan Noodles with Ham

Throw in the diced ham and toss yet again.

Parmesan Noodles with Ham

At this point, I usually find the pasta to be a little dry so I add back some of the pasta water to keep it from being too dry.  I find it to take about 1/2 cup, more or less to the consistency you want.

Aaaannnnnd Done!  Most of the time I’ll serve it with a little extra Parmesan cheese and a little drizzle of EVOO on top and chow down.  Deeelicious!

Parmesan Noodles with Ham

However, when I decided to make it this time, I had some Brussels sprouts that I wanted to roast and throw into the mix.  To see how I roast mine, click on Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts.  I don’t always do that and probably most of the time I just leave it simple.

Parmesan Noodles with Ham

It does add a little color to the dish…

Parmesan Noodles with Ham

Isn’t it pretty?  And did I mention it was Deeelicious?

I do love to top mine with some fresh chopped parsley.  It gives it a great earthy taste that I love.  And much of the time, I’ll even drizzle a little more extra virgin olive oil on top.  Want to change it up a bit?  Instead of the roasted Brussels sprouts, throw in some fresh garden green peas or sliced black olives.  My oh My…  so delicious!

I’m telling you, it really doesn’t get much easier than that.  So, next time you have some leftover ham in the fridge and you don’t know what to do with it, try boiling a pot of pasta and throwing this together in no time flat!

Click on the image below to see how I make my Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts!

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Parmesan Noodles with Ham

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Here’s the printer friendly recipe.

Parmesan Noodles with Ham

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Category: All Recipes, Main Dishes, Pasta, Pork

Servings:  4-6 servings

Parmesan Noodles with Ham

This is a wonderful and super easy noodle dish that is our ‘go to’ for leftover ham. It's also a favorite with the kid folks too!

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces dry spaghetti, cooked according to package instructions
  • 1 mug of reserved pasta water
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 – 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fresh cracked pepper
  • 2 cups ham, diced into 1/2 inch squares

Instructions

  1. Prepare the spaghetti according to package instructions. Just before draining, grab a mug full of the hot pasta water and set aside.
  2. Do not rinse the pasta, then put it back into the hot pot and put it on the stove with the burner turned OFF.
  3. During the time that the pasta is boiling, dice up the ham and if you’re using a fresh block of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grate it and set aside. (It’s better to assemble the pasta with the other ingredients when the pasta is hot).
  4. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the hot pasta and toss with tongs to coat.
  5. Then add the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and pepper, tossing again.
  6. Throw in the diced ham and toss again.
  7. Add back some of the pasta water to keep it from being too dry. I find it to take about 1/2 cup, more or less. Done!

Notes

For Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts, go to:

https://sweetteawithlemon.com/parmesan-noodles-with-ham/

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