Prosciutto Pasta with Peas
Introduction
This prosciutto pasta with peas combines tender shell pasta with prosciutto, peas, tomatoes, garlic, butter, olive oil and Parmesan cheese. The ingredients are cooked together and tossed with pasta for a simple and flavorful Italian-style meal.
The recipe uses conchiglie pasta, also known as shell pasta, which helps hold the tomatoes, peas and savory sauce. You can adjust the ingredients and seasoning according to your taste.
Watch the Video
How to Make Prosciutto and Peas Pasta with Shells | Italian Pasta Recipe | Vito’s Italian Cucina
What Is Prosciutto Pasta with Peas?
Prosciutto pasta with peas is a simple pasta dish made with pasta, prosciutto, peas and tomatoes. In this recipe, the ingredients are combined with garlic, olive oil, butter and Parmesan cheese before being tossed with cooked shell pasta.
The Italian name used in the video includes:
- Prosciutto – Italian cured ham
- Piselli – peas
- Conchiglie – shell pasta
- Pomodoro – tomatoes
Together, these ingredients create a flavorful pasta with peas and prosciutto.
Ingredients for Prosciutto Pasta with Peas
- Shell pasta conchiglie
- Prosciutto
- Peas
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
Optional
- Fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes
- Additional Parmesan for serving
How to Make Prosciutto Pasta with Peas
Cook the Shell Pasta
Cook the conchiglie pasta until tender according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Shell pasta works well for this recipe because its shape helps hold the tomatoes, peas and other ingredients.
Prepare the Peas and Garlic
Cook the peas while preparing the other ingredients. Add garlic, olive oil and seasoning according to your taste.
The recipe is flexible, so the amount of garlic, salt and pepper can be adjusted based on your preference.
Add the Tomatoes
Add chopped tomatoes to the pan with the peas and garlic.
You can use canned tomatoes, as shown in the recipe, or chop fresh tomatoes. Allow the ingredients to cook together and develop flavor.
Add the Prosciutto
Add the thinly sliced prosciutto to the peas and tomatoes.
Stir the ingredients together and allow the prosciutto to warm through with the rest of the mixture.
This creates the savory base for the prosciutto and peas pasta.
Add Butter and Olive Oil
Butter and olive oil are included in the recipe to add richness and help bring the ingredients together.
Continue stirring the tomatoes, peas and prosciutto until everything is evenly combined.
Toss with the Shell Pasta
Add the cooked shell pasta to the prosciutto and pea mixture.
Toss everything together until the pasta is coated with the tomatoes, peas and savory ingredients.
Add Parmesan Cheese
Add Parmesan cheese and stir it through the pasta.
You can adjust the amount of Parmesan according to your taste.
Serve the Pasta
Transfer the finished prosciutto pasta with peas to a serving dish.
Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
What Does Prosciutto Pasta Taste Like?
This Italian prosciutto pasta has a savory and salty flavor from the prosciutto and Parmesan cheese.
The peas add a slightly sweet flavor, while the tomatoes provide freshness and acidity. Garlic, butter and olive oil bring the ingredients together and add richness to the dish.
The shell pasta helps capture the ingredients, making every bite a combination of pasta, peas, tomatoes and prosciutto.
Why Shell Pasta Works Well for This Recipe
Shell pasta, or conchiglie, is a good choice for this recipe because its shape holds small ingredients such as peas and chopped tomatoes.
The shells also help capture the flavorful mixture of:
- Prosciutto
- Peas
- Tomatoes
- Parmesan
- Garlic
You can also use another pasta shape if preferred, but shell pasta works particularly well with this combination of ingredients.
Tips for the Best Prosciutto and Peas Pasta
- Cook the shell pasta until tender.
- Use thinly sliced prosciutto.
- Do not add too much salt because prosciutto and Parmesan are naturally salty.
- Use fresh or canned tomatoes according to your preference.
- Adjust the garlic and pepper to your taste.
- Add Parmesan gradually.
- Toss the pasta thoroughly so the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Can You Use Fresh Tomatoes?
Yes. The recipe uses chopped canned tomatoes, but fresh tomatoes can also be used.
If using fresh tomatoes, chop them before adding them to the pan. Cook them with the peas and garlic until they combine with the other ingredients.
This is an easy way to make pasta with prosciutto and tomatoes using fresh ingredients.
What to Serve with Prosciutto Pasta
This prosciutto pasta recipe can be served with simple Italian-style side dishes such as:
- Sautéed Mexican & Summer Squash
- A green salad
- Creamy Cheddar Mushroom Pork Chops
- Tortilla Pizza
- Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can I make with prosciutto?
Prosciutto can be used in many different dishes, including pasta, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. In this recipe, it is combined with peas, tomatoes and shell pasta to create a simple prosciutto pasta.
What to do with prosciutto?
One way to use prosciutto is to add it to pasta dishes. It can be combined with ingredients such as peas, tomatoes, cheese and vegetables.
This recipe uses prosciutto with peas and tomatoes for a flavorful pasta meal.
How do you use prosciutto in pasta?
To use prosciutto in pasta, add it to the other cooked ingredients and allow it to warm through before tossing everything with the pasta.
In this recipe, the prosciutto is combined with:
- Peas
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Butter
- Olive oil
The mixture is then tossed with cooked shell pasta and Parmesan cheese.
Can you put prosciutto in pasta?
Yes. Prosciutto can be added to pasta to provide a savory, salty flavor. This pasta with prosciutto and peas combines prosciutto with tomatoes, peas and Parmesan cheese.
How do you add prosciutto to pasta?
Add the prosciutto to the cooked ingredients before combining everything with the pasta.
For this recipe, the prosciutto is mixed with peas and tomatoes, then tossed with cooked shell pasta.
How do you cook prosciutto for pasta?
In this recipe, the prosciutto is added to the warm mixture with the peas and other ingredients and cooked briefly while everything comes together.
Because prosciutto is thinly sliced, it does not require long cooking.
What pasta goes well with prosciutto?
Shell pasta works well with prosciutto in this recipe because the shells hold the peas and chopped tomatoes. Other pasta shapes can also be used depending on your preference.