The best meals can come from the simplest ingredients! This Silky Springtime Pea & Prosciutto Pasta brings together tender young peas, salty paper-thin prosciutto, and a luscious sauce that clings beautifully to each strand of pasta. If you want to do something that is easy but enjoyable, then this is the meal for you.
This meal gives off a spring like vibe but it doesn’t just contain the freshness of spring it also has some really strong flavors. When creating meals like this, try to picture how the gentle hue of prosciutto and the golden strands of pasta contrast with the bright green of peas. This meal is also visually engaging in addition to being incredibly tasty. In order to make the meal feel even more complete, you can pair it with some bread or a salad.
Ingredients
The ingredients you use are very important when preparing a dish, even one as simple as this pasta. Fresh and high-quality ingredients can turn a basic recipe into something amazing! For example, fresh peas have a sweeter and more vibrant taste than frozen ones so they can make the dish taste much better. Artisanal prosciutto also adds more flavor than mass produced ones.
The type of pasta you buy also makes a difference. Durum wheat pasta has a better texture and bite so the sauce clings to every strand. Good quality ingredients can make cooking more enjoyable and will result in a meal that everyone will be impressed with.
- You will need 8 oz of spaghetti or linguine, cooked to an ‘al dente’ texture.
- 1 cup of frozen or fresh peas and lightly simmered.
- Three ounces of prosciutto (chopped smaller)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (more for serving)
- ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water
- You can add salt and ground black pepper however you like.
Instructions
1) Start by boiling your pasta in salted water for about seven to eight minutes. During this time, you can begin to melt some butter and add olive oil in your pan. On your stove, you can keep the heat on the lower middle range. Once the butter and olive oil begin to melt, add in the garlic and stir until golden brown, about a minute.
2) Add the peas and the pasta straight from the strainer into the pan. Use some of the leftover pasta water to create a light sauce, and then stir in the Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Don’t add heavy salt because the prosciutto is salty.
When combining all these ingredients, the heat from the pasta will meld the flavors and create a really nice dish. Be sure to check on the texture of your pasta and make sure it is al dente because it will cook a little more when you add it to the pan. This way, the dish will have a nice bite and will be better overall.
3) Now, toss in the prosciutto and let it blend with the cream, peas, and pasta. As the prosciutto heats, you can turn the burner off. To top it off, sprinkle some more cracked pepper and a little parmesan. When the prosciutto heats up, it boosts flavor in the dish and enhances all the tastes.
You can also substitute ground pepper with a coarser black pepper if you want a flavor boost. This will also add a bit of texture together with the creamy pasta.
The less complicated a meal is, the more flavors it is possible to experience. This meal is for people looking for a no-stress meal that is still simple. This meal is also super easy to customize so rather than peas you could try asparagus and add some cream to make it richer (if that suits your fancy).
Maybe consider using whole grain pasta. Try really hard to use mint and basil as those fresh herbs give a nice burst of flavor. They also pair nicely with the other ingredients. With this recipe you can use whatever herbs and veggies you have to totally customize it. The outcome of your cooking will definitely show everyone what you love most!
You can make this recipe during the week, for date night, or for family gatherings. It’s simple, so you can whip it up on a weeknight, and you can use different foods and flavors. You can use this recipe to accommodate different dietary needs and restrictions while ensuring everyone gets a full meal. Enjoy the recipe with your family, and let the stories unfold while you eat!
Why I Love This Dish
This dish’s flexibility is also wonderful because it can easily embrace the changes of the seasons. Think about adding different seasonal vegetables when spring turns into summer, like zucchini or cherry tomatoes. Both can make your pasta more colorful and add delicious sweetness.
Try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten and refresh the flavors of the dish when summer arrives too. Cooking with the seasons keeps your meals interesting, and helps you shop locally to support farmers’ markets and buy local produce that is in season.
Lastly, the experience of eating a meal together can be as rewarding as the experience of cooking it. Whether it is a simple weeknight dinner or a special occasion meal, a meal that looks good and tastes good promotes interaction and conversation. Why not set the table nicely, and maybe include some candles or a small bunch of flowers to make the meal more special.
As you serve this pasta, encourage your guests to talk about their favourite versions of this dish or their memories of other dishes like this one. A good meal is a great way of bringing people together and a dish that is as comforting as it is gourmet will create memories that you will cherish for a long time.
