Garganelli with cream, ham and peas

/5

PRESENTATION

Midweek family meals get an upgrade with bowls of garganelli pasta served in a creamy sauce that's loaded with tender peas and hearty ham. Wide pasta tubes—with deep ridges that really catch every bit of silky cream sauce—look so nice on the plate, colorful from the green peas and pink ham scattered throughout. Kids often love the fun shape of these noodles, and busy families definitely appreciate how everyone seems happy when garganelli pasta with cream, ham, and peas lands on the table. Great for family gatherings or cozy nights in, this dish has a soft bite from the pasta, balanced by just the right amount of savory ham and that signature, comforting richness only a good cream sauce delivers. Special occasions or weeknight dinners...either way, the festive look and amazing flavor always make it a favorite, especially with a sprinkle of cheese or extra herbs on top.

Good news for home cooks—this easy pasta recipe always feels special but doesn’t need a celebration to fit right in. People usually serve garganelli pasta with a side salad and fresh bread (pretty perfect combo), or sometimes just as a stand-alone meal everyone can dig into. The unique texture of the pasta, especially when rolled as traditional homemade pasta, really soaks up the flavors of ham and peas, making each bite sort of creamy and just a little springy...DELICIOUS every single time! Family dinners, Sunday lunches, or even festive holiday spreads—this ham and peas recipe works all around and makes sure everyone leaves the table satisfied. Versatile since you can swap in different cheeses or a bit of Parma ham for an extra boost, it’s the kind of meal that home cooks like to keep in their back pocket for stress-free nights. For families who love colorful, fluffy yet hearty pasta, this is a go-to, and it always brings that cozy, welcoming feel to the table—simple, familiar, really great for sharing.

You might also like:

INGREDIENTS

Egg Garganelli pasta 0.9 lb (400 g)
Nutmeg 1 pinch
Black pepper to taste
Extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp (30 g)
Salt ⅓ tsp (2 g)
Fresh liquid cream ⅓ cup (100 ml)
Peas 1 cup (150 g)
Prosciutto cotto 4.25 oz (120 g)
for sprinkling
Grana Padano PDO cheese 1.25 oz (35 g) - to grate
Preparation

How to prepare Garganelli with cream, ham and peas

To prepare garganelli with cream, ham, and peas, start by finely chopping a shallot 1. Now take a non-stick pan and pour in a drizzle of olive oil. Add the finely chopped shallot and let it soften over low heat 2. Stir the shallot occasionally to ensure it softens evenly 3.

Once the shallot has softened and turned golden, add the peas to the pan 4. In the meantime, boil plenty of water for the pasta in a pot and salt it. When the water returns to a boil, add the pasta. Continue cooking the peas by adding a tablespoon or ladle of cooking water 5 as needed. Season with salt and pepper. Next, proceed with the ham. Cut it into strips and then into cubes 6.

Now take your cubed ham and add it to the peas cooking 7. Be sure to stir the peas and ham to blend the ingredients well. At this point, add the cream 8. Add a pinch of nutmeg 9 and adjust the salt and pepper.

The garganelli will now be ready. Drain them 10 and add them to the pan with the sauce you prepared 11. Toss them with the sauce and mix well so that the garganelli integrate with the sauce. Serve your garganelli with cream, ham, and peas while hot 12, sprinkle with Grana Padano PDO, and... enjoy!

Storage

Garganelli with cream, ham, and peas should be consumed hot, just after cooking. They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Tip

If you're not a fan of garganelli, you can replace them with other pasta shapes, such as farfalle, tagliatelle, fusilli, or penne. The cooked ham can be cut into cubes (by purchasing a single thick slice of deli meat) or into strips (if you have thinly sliced cooked ham).

Curiosity

Garganelli gets their name from the Emilian dialect word "garganel," which refers to the chicken's esophagus that they resemble in shape.
To make them at home, you had to roll out a sheet of dough, cut it into small squares, wrap them one by one around a stick, and roll them on a weaving comb, giving the pasta its characteristic ridges.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.