Who doesn't like quick, easy and delicious dinners with minimum hassle and washing up? What if they also helped you clean your fridge of any leftovers? This One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta ticks all of those boxes plus it will be on your table in mere 30 minutes!
I must say I am quite partial to a lovely gammon joint once in a while. Main reason for that is that it gives us not only delicious dinner on the first day but also substantial amount of delicious leftovers we can use throughout the week. Think sarnies, salads or, above all, pasta dishes like this one.
I bought a small gammon joint before Christmas which was thoroughly enjoyed by all on New Year's Day! Even with smaller joint we were still left with hefty amount of leftovers to use up which, in my book, is always a good thing!
Helpful tips when cooking One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
I don't know about you but I always poach my gammon or cook it in the Instant Pot first, only to finish it off in the oven if I feel like having it glazed. The huge plus of this approach is lovely, salty poaching liquid you are left with which you can then use in soups, gravies, pastas... You name it! I would highly recommend using said poaching liquid instead of water when making this pasta. It will elevates the flavours to another level! As a word of warning though, make sure you are careful when it comes to salt as ham, poaching liquid and cheese provide quite a bit of it already so TASTE, TASTE, TASTE!
Leeks can be a bit of a pain hiding fair bit of grit in between their top layers. The best way to sort them out is to get rid of very top, dark green, woody part which can be saved to use in stocks. All you want here is white and light green part of the leek. The best way to clean your leek is to cut it in half (lengthwise) and run it under the cold tap. Separate the layers but only enough to wash out the grit, otherwise leaving the leek intact. Once clean, go ahead and slice each half nice and thin.
I like using Gruyere cheese in this pasta as it's not as strong as cheddar plus it has got wonderfully nutty flavour and it also melts into the sauce really well. Cheddar is not really a substitute for Gruyere but if that's the only one you've got, by no means go for it. However, any other Swiss cheese, Norwegian Jarlsberg or French Comte, would be better substitutions if possible.
My favourite piece of kit to cook one pot pastas in
I found my heavy duty, cast iron, 26cm/5 ½ Qt Le Creuset casserole *to be the best for one pot pastas. It provides ample room for all the ingredients, stirring and, most importantly, nothing sticks to the bottom either.
How can I adapt this One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta?
- I've used wholewheat penne here but you could use any pasta shape and type you want. If using regular, white pasta, however, make sure to check doneness after 10 minutes as it cooks quicker than wholewheat variety.
- This pasta would work really well with leftover chicken instead of ham. Simply swap water or ham poaching liquid for chicken stock instead.
- Instead of frozen peas you could use frozen sweetcorn or even better - a mixture of both.
- Sliced button mushrooms would work really well with this pasta. Clean and roughly slice 200g/7oz of mushrooms and sautéed them together with leeks.
- Feel free to add a splash of single cream or tablespoon of creme fraiche at the end for extra creaminess.
- Sprinkle of fresh parsley never goes amiss.
One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta Step By Step Instructions
📋 Recipe
One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
Ingredients
- 350 g wholewheat penne pasta or any pasta type you like
- 1 large leek (white and light green part) cleaned and thinly sliced
- 2 large garlic cloves finely chopped/ minced
- 25 g unsalted butter
- 250-300 g leftover ham or gammon roughly chopped/cubed
- 200 g frozen peas
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 170-200 g Gruyere cheese grated
- 1 ltr water or ham poaching liquid
- parmesan (to serve) optional
- freshly parsley (to serve) optional
Instructions
- Prepare the leek by cutting it in half (lengthwise) and running it under the cold tap. Separate the layers but only enough to wash out the grit, otherwise leaving the leek intact. Once clean, go ahead and slice each half nice and thin.
- Melt butter in a large, casserole style pot and add sliced leeks. Fry them gently on a medium heat until softened but not coloured stirring frequently approx 8-10 min.
- Add chopped/minced garlic and fry for another minute or so stirring.
- Add pasta and ham followed immediately by ham poaching liquid or water and dijon mustard. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Give everything a good stir, increase the heat to high and bring it to boil.
- Pop the lid on, lower the heat and simmer gently for 12 minutes.
- When the time is up, take the lid off and give the pasta a good stir (it will be quite saucy). Add frozen peas and cook for a couple of minutes until defrosted.
- Follow with grated gruyere cheese and mix well.
- Serve with more cheese sprinkled over if desired and some freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
- Nutritional information is approximate and should be treated as a guideline only.
- Feel free to use any shape of pasta you like. You could also use regular pasta instead of wholewheat but make sure to check doneness of your pasta at around 10min to prevent overcooking (you want pasta to have a slight bite to it, be al dente).
- Substitute Gruyere with any other Swiss cheese, French Comte, Norwegian Jarlsberg. If you don't have any of the above, cheddar will do (preferably not the mature one on this occasion).
Nutrition
OTHER ONE POT AND EASY MIDWEEK RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY
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MAKE SURE YOU STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST RECIPES FROM JO’S KITCHEN LARDER
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PIN ONE POT LEFTOVER HAM AND PEA PASTA FOR LATER!
I’m linking my One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta with the following pages:
Cook Once Eat Twice hosted by Corina at Searching for Spice
Fiesta Friday hosted by Angie and co-hosted by Ai at Ai Made It For You and Jhuls at The Not So Creative Cook
This Christmas leftovers recipe is featured in Twinkl's 12 Days of Eco-Christmas campaign. Why not check out other creative, family-friendly recipes on their website?
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Derrick says
This recipe isn’t really very clear with the ingredients or the method
There is a lot there that doesn’t relate to the recipe
The cream mentioned just seems like an afterthought
Well I have tried to follow the recipe as much as possible
No idea what it’s going to taste like, but I guess if you are hungry enough you will try and eat anything
joskitchenlarder says
Hi Derrick,
It sounds like you haven't been following the recipe from the recipe card which states exactly what ingredients and how much should be used. Instructions are also very clear and step by step in the recipe card. From what you're saying it sounds like you made the recipe based on my tips and the ways you can adapt this recipe and not the recipe itself e.g. I suggest cream as an optional extra. There is a Jump To Recipe button at the very top of the page which takes you directly to the step by step recipe. I hope that helps and I hope you enjoyed your dinner nevertheless.
Joanna Swata says
I made this tonight using leftover Easter ham. I was so disappointed with the outcome. My husband also didn't enjoy. I do admit our son enjoyed it so not a total loss. I'm wondering if it's because it was a honey glazed ham. Will try again with a plan baked ham.
joskitchenlarder says
Hi Joanna, Thanks for your feedback. It may be that honey glazed ham had some impact on the overall flavour, it's hard for me to tell as we've always used plain ham/gammon. This simple pasta used to be a family favourite back when we used to eat meat and all the flavours suited us so might be just personal preference. Glad to hear your son enjoyed it though. 🙂
Katy says
Great recipe! There are 2 of us and we have got about half of the pasta left. Can I reheat the leftovers for us for lunch?
joskitchenlarder says
Hi Katy, I'm so pleased you enjoyed the pasta! Leftovers will be fine stored in the fridge for a couple of days just make sure to reheat them until piping hot before serving. 🙂
Paul says
Delicious. We had quite a lot of the pasta bake left over for the following day. Inevitably the pasta will be overcooked when I reheat it.
I’m thinking about reheating it in layers with chopped spring greens, celery, grated carrots, sliced mushrooms, a can of chopped tomatoes, then top it off with herbed soft cheese and a final layer of sliced baked potato covered with grated cheddar (to brown as a final touch). Again all leftovers. What do you think and any tips?
Many thanks X]
joskitchenlarder says
Hi Paul, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, I think you're right, reheated pasta won't be as al dente as it should be but most importantly it will still taste delicious. I would use some extra liquid when reheating to loosen cold pasta a bit. Ham poaching stock if you've got any leftover or any stock really will do the job. Personally, I would keep extras simple and stick to some mushrooms sautéed with green onions as these will go really well with this pasta. Layer of baked potato and cheese on top might work nicely too. Also I would reheat pasta with extra liquid in a pan/pot first and then add sautéed mushrooms, transfer it to a baking dish, top with baked potato slices and cheese and grill it until brown. It will be quicker than baking in the oven as everything will be warm already, all you need is to brown the top and enjoy! 😊
Sarah Long says
Thanks for sharing this brilliant recipe. It was a crowd pleaser and super easy to make. I wouldn’t have thought of using the ham stock, it was so tasty!
joskitchenlarder says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it Sarah! 🙂
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
Oh Jo, this is me all over. I love gammon and adding it to a delicious looking pasta dish?! Perfect!
joskitchenlarder says
Aw thanks Cat! We do love gammon here and I must tell you adding it to pasta makes a pot of comfort food we can't get enough of! 🙂
Ai | Ai made it for you says
Yum! I'll have to make this with gluten-free pasta!
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Ai! 🙂
Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook says
Jo, I am seriously hungry now!! If only I am on Whole30, I'll run to the store and get what I need to make this. Ahh, so good!! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Jhuls! 🙂
Jacqui Bellefontaine says
This is just might type of meal. It looks delicious
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you Jacqui! 🙂
Anna | Once Upon A Food Blog says
I'm loving the 'one potness' of this recipe, it looks like a real winner. And gammon added to pretty much anything is gorgeous isn't it!
joskitchenlarder says
Sometimes one pot dinner is all one has got energy for lol and you are so right about the gammon! 🙂
Cliona Keane says
This is a super comforting recipe! Great way to use up leftovers and it's definitely one the whole family will love!
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you Cliona! 🙂
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery says
The peas LOVE a gammon, especially when its done in the slow cooker. If we ever managed to keep some leftovers they would devour this pasta! Thanks for sharing #CookBlogShare x
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Midge! 🙂 My boys are like two little piggies when it comes to eating gammon and whatever dish the leftovers are used for. They absolutely LOVE this pasta too! x
Corina Blum says
I love cooking a joint of gammon too as the leftovers are brilliant for so many meals. I really like your idea of saving the poaching water to cook the pasta in as well - that's something I need to try next time. Thank you so much for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice x
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Corina! 🙂 I do love the saltiness and flavour of gammon poaching liquid so if I don't use it for ham and pea soup it goes into pastas and risottos, yum!x