Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked bow tie pasta, draped in a luxuriously creamy Parmesan sauce, studded with tender broccoli and savory ham - a dish that transforms ordinary weeknight dinner into a gourmet experience in just 30 minutes! This Italian-inspired recipe is about to become your new secret weapon in the kitchen, promising restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz bow tie pasta
- 1 cup cooked ham, diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 8 oz of bow tie pasta, 1 cup of diced cooked ham, 2 cups of broccoli florets, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the bow tie pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the broccoli. If using fresh broccoli, wash and cut it into small florets. If using frozen broccoli, you can add it directly to the boiling pasta during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking.
- When the pasta has about 3-4 minutes left to cook, add the broccoli florets to the pot. This will allow the broccoli to cook until tender but still vibrant green.
- Once the pasta and broccoli are cooked, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander. Return them to the pot.
- In a separate saucepan, over medium heat, combine the heavy cream and the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the drained pasta and broccoli in the pot. Add the diced cooked ham and gently toss everything together until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Heat the mixture on low for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Once heated, remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper if desired.
Tips
- Always salt your pasta water generously - it should taste like the sea to properly season your pasta from within.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining; its starchy magic helps create a smoother, more cohesive sauce.
- For extra flavor, consider sautéing the ham briefly before adding it to give it a slight crisp and deeper taste.
- Use fresh Parmesan and grate it yourself for the most robust cheese flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use milk with a cornstarch slurry.
- For added nutrition, you can mix in other vegetables like cauliflower or peas.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 520kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 110mg
