More Nigella recipes

Pasta With Ham, Peas and Cream

by Nigella. Featured in FEAST

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Introduction

When my children were younger, this was always one of their favourite teas and is now one of their favourite suppers. It serves 2 or 3 children — double quantities for teenagers and above.

For US measures and ingredient names, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.

As featured in

FEAST

2004

Buy Now

Pasta With Ham, Peas and Cream — Photo by James Merrell

As featured in

FEAST

2004

Buy Now

Ingredients

Serves: 2-3 children

Metric U.S.

200 grams farfalle pasta (or other short pasta)
100 grams frozen petits pois
150 millilitres double cream
150 grams diced ham
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

7 ounces farfalle pasta (or other short pasta)
⅔ cup frozen petits pois
⅔ cup heavy cream
1¼ cups diced ham
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Method

Cook the pasta according to packet instructions in plenty of salted boiling water, and then after 5 minutes add the peas to the pasta water.
When the pasta is cooked, drain with the peas.
Put the dry pan back on the heat with the cream, ham and Parmesan and warm it through.
Add the pasta and peas back to the pan, tossing everything together well.

Cook the pasta according to packet instructions in plenty of salted boiling water, and then after 5 minutes add the peas to the pasta water.
When the pasta is cooked, drain with the peas.
Put the dry pan back on the heat with the cream, ham and Parmesan and warm it through.
Add the pasta and peas back to the pan, tossing everything together well.

Additional Information

MAKE AHEAD / STORE:
It is not advisable to make ahead or store.

Tell us what you think

What 17 Others have said

I have cooked this recipe for a couple of years now and it always goes down well a firm family favourite with ingredients that are readily available in any supermarket. Sometimes changed the ham for roast chicken and weirdly I like it cold with some salad.

Posted by Megan18 on 18th March 2025
nom nom nom. made with spiral wholemeal pasta. forget children or teenagers. this is a scrummy lifesaver for one of those cant cook wont cook days. added a good pinch of nutmeg and dried tarragon for extra elevation.

Posted by alanspinks on 18th March 2023
An easy, easy carbonara riff! Thanks, Nigella!

Posted by sancarloscharlie on 16th March 2023
And for older people whose stomachs have shrunk that’s enough for two. It’s absolutely delicious! I decided to treat myself to sugar snap peas in mine, I just cut them up and added them with six minutes to go, they were just right, and I’m stuffed, with more for tomorrow.

Posted by Jennigee on 22nd September 2018
Simply delicious! Everybody loved the meal, even my youngest, who is a bit fussy with food. Thank you for a wonderfully quick and easy recipe.

Posted by wannabechef2016 on 8th November 2016
I made this last night for dinner and it was simply delicious. The perfect end to a cold and damp Autumn day. The creamy sauce with the salty ham and sweet snap of the peas was a perfect melody.

Posted by KitchenComposure on 27th October 2016
Really yummy!

Posted by JenNC on 1st January 2016
Try adding 50 grams of smoked bacon, thinly chopped and finely chopped chilli! YUMMM!!! Worked wonders on my friends! <3 V.

Posted by viriniki on 25th July 2014
I substituted the ham with poached haddock and it was amazing! Try it some time! The smokiness with the peas, just delish!

Posted by MegHoughton on 23rd June 2014
made this for dinner tonight. doubled so my 19 yr old would have extras. WONDERFUL! quick for the after work dinner. great for the eating machine :-)

Posted by Pythagorion on 21st June 2014
Yummy!!!

Posted by Arthur in the Garden! on 20th May 2014
This is my 3 yr old's favourite pasta dinner :)

Posted by junefoo on 21st May 2014