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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Published: Jan 15, 2019 · Modified: Jan 4, 2022 by joskitchenlarder · 20 Comments. · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta

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    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta

    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta

    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!

    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta

    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.

    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta

    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

    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Clean and slice your leeks.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Melt the butter in a heavy duty casserole pot with a lid.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Fry leeks until softened.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Add chopped garlic and fry another minute or so.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Add pasta and ham.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Follow with poaching liquid or water and dijon mustard. Stir well.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Let it come to the boil.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Cover, lower the heat and cook for 12 minutes.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Take off the lid and check pasta for doneness.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Add frozen peas and stir well.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Use Swiss Gruyere if you can.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Add grated cheese to pasta and give it one final stir.
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Print Pin
    5 from 11 votes

    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta

    This quick and easy pasta puts your Sunday roast leftovers to a good use with minimum effort on your part. Perfect midweek meal with all the flavour and minimum washing up. 
    Course Family Meal, Main Course, Midweek Dinner, One Pot, Pasta
    Cuisine American, British, International
    Keyword One pot, leftover ham, pasta
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 454kcal
    Author Jo Allison

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 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

    Nutrition Facts
    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 454 Calories from Fat 189
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 21g32%
    Saturated Fat 11g55%
    Cholesterol 93mg31%
    Sodium 1011mg42%
    Potassium 234mg7%
    Carbohydrates 35g12%
    Fiber 7g28%
    Sugar 5g6%
    Protein 31g62%
    Vitamin A 1315IU26%
    Vitamin C 23.1mg28%
    Calcium 471mg47%
    Iron 2.7mg15%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Tag me @Joskitchenlarder or use hashtag #joskitchenlarder!

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    Have you tried my One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post, I love reading them! You can also come and say hello over on my Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest

    PIN ONE POT LEFTOVER HAM AND PEA PASTA FOR LATER!

    One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta

    I’m linking my One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta with the following pages:

    Cook Blog Share hosted this week by Midge at The Peachicks' Bakery

    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?

    *This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a link and go on to buy the product I recommend, I will get a small commission, but you will not be charged a penny more. I only recommend products I own or really like and which caught my attention. Thanks in advance for supporting Jo’s Kitchen Larder!

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    1. Katy says

      December 29, 2020 at 12:10 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        December 29, 2020 at 7:56 pm

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Sarah Long says

      June 17, 2020 at 7:49 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        June 17, 2020 at 9:18 am

        I'm so happy you enjoyed it Sarah! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Cat | Curly's Cooking says

      January 21, 2019 at 9:24 pm

      5 stars
      Oh Jo, this is me all over. I love gammon and adding it to a delicious looking pasta dish?! Perfect!

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        January 24, 2019 at 9:40 am

        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! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Ai | Ai made it for you says

      January 20, 2019 at 12:46 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I'll have to make this with gluten-free pasta!

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        January 24, 2019 at 9:38 am

        Thanks Ai! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook says

      January 20, 2019 at 7:22 am

      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!

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        January 24, 2019 at 9:35 am

        Thanks Jhuls! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Jacqui Bellefontaine says

      January 18, 2019 at 1:30 pm

      5 stars
      This is just might type of meal. It looks delicious

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        January 24, 2019 at 9:35 am

        Thank you Jacqui! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Anna | Once Upon A Food Blog says

      January 18, 2019 at 9:25 am

      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!

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        January 24, 2019 at 9:30 am

        Sometimes one pot dinner is all one has got energy for lol and you are so right about the gammon! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Cliona Keane says

      January 17, 2019 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      This is a super comforting recipe! Great way to use up leftovers and it's definitely one the whole family will love!

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        January 17, 2019 at 1:00 pm

        Thank you Cliona! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery says

      January 16, 2019 at 2:16 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        January 17, 2019 at 10:45 am

        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

        Reply
    10. Corina Blum says

      January 16, 2019 at 1:58 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        January 17, 2019 at 10:41 am

        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

        Reply

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