This prosciutto pasta recipe has a silky cream sauce with fresh tomato, peas, and cooked prosciutto. It's fast, elegant, and simple to make!
Need another fancy yet totally easy recipe? Try this White Wine Cream Sauce for Ravioli next.
Why you'll enjoy it
If you haven't tried cooking prosciutto before, you're in for a treat! You fry it like you would bacon, but since it's so thin, it crisps up within a few minutes. For this recipe, I fry the prosciutto until it's just crispy. Some of it is stirred into the pasta, and the rest is used to add a nice salty crunch as a topping.
The cream sauce is garlicky and brightened up by adding a fresh tomato and some basil, so it's gorgeous and flavorful yet not too heavy. This recipe is a great option if you're looking to impress guests but don't want to spend ages in the kitchen since it's ready in just half an hour!
Ingredients for it
- Pasta - I used pappardelle for this recipe. I love how the sauce coats the ribbons, but feel free to use whatever is in your pantry.
- Prosciutto - it's an incredibly delicious Italian dry cured ham that fries up really well to get nice and crispy
- Olive oil and butter - for frying
- Garlic - use even more if you're a garlic lover. I use this garlic press to mince it without having to peel each clove.
- Heavy cream - to make the sauce luscious and dreamy. We wouldn't recommend substituting it for anything else.
- Tomato - just choose whichever variety looks freshest at the grocery store, or use one from your garden
- Peas - we're using frozen peas. They're easy and convenient.
- Italian seasoning - it's a blend of dried herbs including rosemary and thyme that comes all in a single jar and packs a ton of flavor
- Basil - for a burst of freshness and color
- Parmesan - to top it all off!
How to make prosciutto pasta
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Add the olive oil and butter to a skillet and fry the prosciutto slices until they crisp up a bit. Transfer prosciutto to a paper towel lined plate. In the same skillet, add in the garlic, followed by the cream, tomatoes, peas, and Italian seasoning. Let it cook until the sauce thickens up a bit (about 4-5 minutes).
Crumble up the cooked prosciutto and add most of it to the skillet but reserve some to top the bowls with. Also add in the basil. Add the drained pasta to the sauce, toss, and serve with plenty of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Tips for success
- As with any recipe, sub ingredients at your own discretion. If you swap the cream for something with a lower fat content, you're likely to yield a thinner sauce that's not quite as rich or flavorful and could curdle.
- This recipe can feed 2-4. It's written for 4 reasonably sized portions, but if you want plenty of sauce for each person, do 4 ounces of pasta total instead of the suggested 8 and keep the sauce quantities as written, and it'll serve 2 people and be very saucy. You could, of course, double all ingredients in the recipe and make even more pasta if you've got 4+ hungry people to feed.
- As always, I recommend grating your own parmesan cheese for the best flavor. I keep a parm wedge in my fridge, and I always use my Microplane zester/grater to grate it!
What to serve with this pasta
- It's perfect on its own with a glass of white wine for date night!
- To make it a little heartier, pair with a few slices of fresh baguette to round it out or a slice of garlic bread.
- You could also complement it with a side salad. Try this homemade creamy balsamic dressing or easy Italian dressing.
Leftovers and storage
- This pasta will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container, but keep in mind that the prosciutto will become less crispy over time.
- Since there's cream in the sauce, we don't recommend freezing it. It won't be the same when thawed.
- Reheat in a small saucepan until warmed through.
Questions about this creamy prosciutto pasta recipe? Let me know in the comments below!
Prosciutto Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta I used pappardelle
- 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1 medium tomato chopped small
- 1/3 cup peas I used frozen
- 1 dash Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil thinly sliced/chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese optional, to taste
Instructions
- Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta. Cook it al dente according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the prosciutto in two batches if it doesn't all fit in the pan at once without overlapping too much. Cook it for about 3-4 minutes total (flip it halfway) or until the prosciutto starts so crisp up a bit but is still a bit pliable/bendy. Transfer the prosciutto to a paper towel lined plate and leave the fat in the skillet.
- Turn the heat down to medium. Add in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the cream, tomato, peas, and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 4-5 minutes or until the sauce thickens up a bit.
- Crumble the prosciutto up with your hands. Stir some of it into the sauce and reserve some for topping the bowls. I also like to add in the basil at this point.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet and toss it all together. Prior to draining the pasta, you may want to add a splash of the hot pasta water to the sauce, especially if it's thickened up too much for your liking.
- Serve with the remaining prosciutto and freshly grated parmesan on top of each bowl. Season with extra salt & pepper if needed.
Notes
- This recipe can serve 2-4. For 2, each person gets quite a lot of sauce (use 4 ounces of pasta). If you're feeding 4 hungry people, I suggest serving it with a side like garlic bread or a salad (or start with an appetizer).
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Ruthann Schultz says
An easy weeknight meal which also serves as a lovely dinner for friends. Seriously one of my favorite meals. Serve with some crusty bread and your favorite wine. I have had rave reviews!! Thank you for this recipe!
Natasha says
You're very welcome, Ruthann! 🙂
Jessica says
This dish was absolutely amazing! It was easy, quick, and delicious. My daughters who are picky eaters loved it too. My only regret is that I didn't make more for leftovers. Thanks for the great recipe!
Natasha says
I'm so happy it was a hit, Jessica!! 🙂 Thanks for your 5-star review!
Walter says
Love, love this recipe. It’s my new go to dinner for guests. My sister-in-law in Reno introduced me to this dish. Now I just can’t get enough of it!
Natasha says
Thank you so much! I'm so glad it's a hit, Walter! 😀
Cassandra says
One of my favs! Keep coming back to this one! Made it for supper tonight. Thanks for the inspo!
Natasha says
You're very welcome! 😀
Mary Story says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was super delicious. I used 4 oz. Pappardelle and the regular amount of sauce as listed in the recipe. It was quick to prepare and the taste was amazing. It’s going to be one of my favorite go to recipes. The taste was so delicious as if it had cooked for a long time. Thank you!!
Natasha says
Awesome!! 🙂 I'm so pleased it'll be a regular in your rotation.
Vicki says
I added chicken while grilling prosciutto. Delicious
Natasha says
Excellent!! 🙂 Glad you liked it!
Becky says
Omg!!! This is soooooo good!!! Made exactly as your directions. FABULOUS!!!! Thanks for a great recipe!!! Family loves it. Definitely a go to recipe!!!
Natasha says
You're very welcome!! I'm so glad it was a hit!
Ashley says
Made this tonight and it was delicious! Not only was it incredible but very easy to make. Used 1 can diced tomatoes drained instead of fresh tomato.
Natasha says
I'm so happy to hear that, Ashley!! Thanks for your review! 🙂
Kate fabling says
Can I use half and half? My husband absolutely cannot eat heavy cream
Natasha says
You can try, but the sauce may end up even thinner. The sauce may go grainy/curdle a bit due to the acidity from the tomato.
Michelle says
Wondering if you could use pancetta since it’s in the bacon fam and already diced? (lazy cook here!)
Natasha says
Sure, but you don't need to cut up the prosciutto either... it comes in super thin slices. I would say it's pretty much as easy as easy as using pancetta (it takes like 1 min to crumble it up with your hands once it's cooked). You may have to adjust cooking time a little bit with pancetta, but I think it would be delicious if you still want to go that route!
dorothy rosato says
Natasha,
Not only did I get your recipe but you also brought me back to my younger days and a recipe that I always loved and forgot about... My aunt Nannie Esposito from Coney Island made this so many times and my family always loved it but through the years most of my older generations of family have passed but the memories have faded.. When I saw and bought Prosciuitto from the store.. I remembered my aunts pasta but couldn't remember her recipe.. Yours was it.. So I made it for my son he is now 57 and he loved it I told him of my aunt and your photos so now you can add my wonderful memories to your list of thank you.. You are my go to for recipes from now on.. Thank you again Dorothy Rosato Brooklyn now New Jersey..
Natasha says
Oh wow that's so nice to hear!! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your story with me, Dorothy!
Jeanne says
This was so delicious!! We were fighting over the last serving. The papparadelle noodles gave it wonderful texture.
Natasha says
That's awesome!! 🙂 Thanks for your review!
Elaine Stephenson says
Do you add the basil on top? I couldn't see any in your picture. This is going to be tomorrows dinner. Thanks for the recipe.
Natasha says
Step 5. I hope you enjoy the recipe! 🙂
Angi says
Delicious, definitely a keeper recipe🤩so much yum!
Natasha says
So happy you liked it, Angi!!
Melissa says
I made this last night for supper and my whole family loved it! I doubled the recipe (not the prosciutto) and it was fantastic! My girls kept going back for seconds. This is a keeper for sure!! Thanks so much!
Natasha says
Wonderful!! I'm so pleased to hear it was a hit!! 😀
Jody says
So yummy! Should have doubled it! Quick to make but tastes like you spent much longer.
Natasha says
I'm thrilled to hear that! Thanks, Jody!
Craig Eusepi says
Ugh!! I could eat this every day!!
I’ve been staring at this recipe for months, I just happen to have everything in the house so I made it this evening. It was fantastic!! I added mushrooms because I had them and needed to cook them. Another pasta dish that’s going in my rotation, my trainer loves the extra work.
Natasha says
I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, Craig! "My trainer loves the extra work" made me giggle. 😀
Karen Giesler says
Fantastic! The salty prosciutto pairs perfectly with the acid of the tomatoes and the sweetness of the peas. Served to company. They loved it!
Natasha says
That's fantastic, Karen!! Thanks for taking the time to write me a review. 🙂
Jennifer says
This was incredible! My entire family of picky eaters gobbled it up and said multiple times that this tastes better than something you get in a restaurant. I will definitely be adding this to the regular rotation.
Natasha says
I'm so pleased to hear that!! 😀 Thanks for letting me know!