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Leftover Ham and Peas Alfredo Pasta for Instant Pot or Stove

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Leftover Ham Alfredo Pasta is a one-pot pasta made with cooked ham, peas, pasta shells, and a creamy alfredo sauce. Add this leftover ham recipe to your holiday collection or make any day of the year. This easy alfredo pasta recipe includes Instant Pot and stove cooking methods.

Leftover Ham and Peas Alfredo Pasta Recipe

Do you need a scrumptious, simple, leftover ham recipe? I got you, friend!

Last year, I created this entire recipe around a hunk of leftover ham from our holiday dinner with friends.

Guys, this alfredo pasta is my jam!

I tossed a few, simple ingredients into one pot and made dinner magic happen. Meals using leftovers don’t always go like this. But, with this recipe, it totally did go like that. Talk about a no-fuss dinner!

This dish requires a few, quick prep steps, like chopping onion, grating garlic, and dicing ham, then you’re off to the races!

Can I freeze leftover ham?

The answer is yes!

To do so, you can seal leftover ham in a freezer bag and store it immediately.

Be sure to include a package date on your bag, and consume the ham within 6 weeks of that date to avoid freezer burn.

When you pull the ham out of the freezer, go ahead and make my alfredo pasta recipe!

How to make ham and peas alfredo pasta in the Instant Pot

  1. Select “Sauté” on the Instant Pot and heat the OLIVE OIL.
  2. When the display reads “Hot”, add ONION and GARLIC; sauté until tender and fragrant (about 3 min).
  3. Add CHICKEN BROTH, PASTA SHELLS, PEAS, HAM, and HALF AND HALF.
  4. Press the “Cancel” function on the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and turn the pressure release valve to the “Sealing” position.
  5. Select “Manual” and set the Instant Pot on “High” pressure for +2 minutes for thicker shells like Orecchiette (for thinner pasta shells, reduce time to +1).
  6. When the cycle completes, allow the Instant Pot to sit for 10 minutes, undisturbed, for a natural pressure release (NPR).
  7. Then, using an oven mitt for protection, release any remaining steam by turning the pressure release valve to the “Venting” position.
  8. Open the lid, give the pasta a stir, and fold in PARMESAN CHEESE and BLACK PEPPER to taste. Add SALT if desired.
  9. The cooker will stay in “Keep Warm” mode until you shut it off.

* See full recipe below

How to make ham and peas alfredo pasta on the stove

Step 1. Sauté ONION and GARLIC in olive oil in an 11″ skillet.

Step 2. Add CHICKEN BROTH and uncooked PASTA; boil until pasta is al dente.

Step 3. Add PEAS, diced HAM, and HALF AND HALF.

Step 4. Simmer everything until pasta shells are fully cooked.

Step 5. Stir in parmesan cheese and serve warm.

* See full recipe below

I usually make alfredo sauce by itself. But, for this leftover ham recipe, the sauce is made in the same pot with the pasta.

Leftover Ham and Peas Alfredo Pasta Ingredients

  • extra virgin olive oil
  • onion
  • garlic
  • reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • uncooked pasta shells (the thicker the better…I used orecchiette)
  • frozen peas
  • leftover ham
  • half and half
  • parmesan cheese
  • black pepper
  • fresh parsley

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Leftover ham, sweet peas, and shells make this alfredo pasta recipe easy and irresistible! #alfredo #leftoverham #skilletdinner #onepotpasta #30minutemeal #Easter #Christmas #holidayham
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4.93 from 14 votes

Leftover Ham Alfredo Pasta Recipe

Leftover Ham Alfredo Pasta is a one-pot pasta made with cooked ham, peas, pasta shells, and a creamy alfredo sauce. Add this leftover ham recipe to your holiday collection or make any day of the year. This easy alfredo pasta recipe includes Instant Pot and stove cooking methods.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 5 1-cup servings
Calories 439kcal
Author Traci Antonovich

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/4 large White Onion diced; about 1/2 cup
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 3 cups Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
  • 2 cups Uncooked Pasta Shells I used Orecchiette
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas thawed
  • 1 cup Ham diced
  • 2/3 cup Half and Half
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp fresh Parsley chopped

Instructions

Alfredo Pasta Instant Pot Instructions

  • Select "Sauté" on the Instant Pot and heat the OLIVE OIL.
  • When the display reads "Hot", add ONION and GARLIC; sauté until tender and fragrant (about 3 min).
  • Add CHICKEN BROTH, PASTA SHELLS, PEAS, HAM, and HALF AND HALF.
  • Press the "Cancel" function on the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and turn the pressure release valve to the "Sealing" position.
  • Select "Manual" and set the Instant Pot on "High" pressure for +2 minutes for thicker shells like Orecchiette (for thinner pasta shells, reduce time to +1).
  • When the cycle completes, allow the Instant Pot to sit for 10 minutes, undisturbed, for a natural pressure release (NPR).
  • Then, using an oven mitt for protection, release any remaining steam by turning the pressure release valve to the "Venting" position.
  • Open the lid, give the pasta a stir, and fold in PARMESAN CHEESE and BLACK PEPPER to taste. Add SALT if desired.
  • The cooker will stay in "Keep Warm" mode until you shut it off.

Alfredo Pasta Stove Instructions

  • In an 11” skillet on medium flame, heat EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL until shimmering (about 2 min).
  • Add ONION and GARLIC; saute until tender and fragrant (about 3 min).
  • Add CHICKEN BROTH and PASTA SHELLS; increase heat to high to reach boiling point.
  • Reduce heat to medium and cook (uncovered) about 10 minutes; NOTE: pasta will not fully cook during this stage.
  • Add PEAS, HAM, and HALF AND HALF; turn heat to HIGH to bring sauce just to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to med-low and simmer until pasta shells are cooked to your liking; stirring frequently (3-5 minutes).
  • Fold in PARMESAN CHEESE, season with BLACK PEPPER. SALT salt if desired.

Serving, Storage, and Reheat Instructions

  • Serve warm. Garnish with fresh parsley and more parmesan cheese.
  • Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days.
  • To reheat, add small amounts of liquid (half-and-half, heavy whipping cream, or milk) before heating via stovetop or microwave. Heat over a medium setting, stirring frequently to avoid overheating/burning.

RECIPE NOTES

Yield: 5 cups
Serving size: 1 cup
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, and are estimates based on unbranded ingredients acquired from a nutrition database. For accurate calculations, please refer to brand packaging information and consult your nutritionist.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Leftover Ham Alfredo Pasta Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 439 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 42mg14%
Sodium 713mg31%
Potassium 448mg13%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 620IU12%
Vitamin C 15mg18%
Calcium 297mg30%
Iron 1.7mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe? Tag me!Mention @thekitchengirl or tag #thekitchengirl
Traci Antonovich
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Traci Antonovich

Recipe author and food photographer at The Kitchen Girl
I'm on a mission to help you eat healthy AND save money through simple, everyday recipes, product reviews, and budget-friendly kitchen tips.
Traci Antonovich
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Comments

  2. Gabi says

    10/31/2018 at 1:57 pm

    5 stars
    I’m a big fan of one pot meals and when you then combine leftovers in a delicious way like you did, you are my star! Your ham Alfredo pasta is the perfect dish for my hubby , thank you for inspiring me:)

    Reply

  6. Soniya says

    03/16/2018 at 9:24 am

    I love one pot recipes and I am always looking for new ones!! This ham and peas Alfredo looks and sounds to delicious and easy to make and know that my boys will relish it!Thanks

    Reply

  8. Meredith Kauffman says

    03/16/2018 at 7:15 am

    5 stars
    I love easy one-pot meals that reinvent leftovers! What a fun, and delicious sounding, recipe for leftover ham!

    Reply

  11. Lisa says

    01/26/2018 at 6:54 am

    5 stars
    This is exactly what I”m in the mood for today! I mean, alfredo is always a winner, but the peas and ham make it more of a meal! YUM!

    Reply

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