Easy Asparagus And Ham Pasta & Giveaway

We love pasta at my house. It is such a comfort food and there are 1,000 different ways to fix it with a huge variety of vegetables and proteins, not to mention sauces. I have fun coming up with new pasta dishes that my family will enjoy and here is my latest recipe- Asparagus and Ham Pasta. The savory, salty flavor of the ham pairs well with the fresh, slightly bitter taste of asparagus, creating a balanced and delicious flavor profile. In addition, asparagus and ham pasta is relatively quick and easy to prepare, making it a great option for busy weeknights or when you want a simple yet satisfying meal.

This post is sponsored by The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA). All opinions are my own. For more inspiration during #FrozenFoodMonth, be sure to check out delicious ideas from NFRA at EasyHomeMeals.com #MFFM2024

Asparagus And Ham Pasta Recipe

I love it when my pasta dish is a complete one dish meal with veggie and protein included. That is why I made this pasta with Pictsweet Farms Seasoned Air Fryer Cut Asparagus Spears and strips of ham in a red pepper flakes and garlic olive oil sauce.

For the protein, I chose ham. Thick cut deli ham is already cooked so you can just brown it up slightly in the pan with the sauce. You can tons of flavor with very little work and that is what this recipe is all about!

For the vegetable, I chose asparagus which is a nutritious vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. I chose Pictsweet Farms Seasoned Air Fryer Cut Asparagus Spears because they come prepped, seasoned and ready to serve with just 10 minutes in the Air Fryer. I add these easy roasted asparagus spears to the pasta right at the end so they maintain a nice crispy exterior and tender interior.

Simple Ingredients:

• 12 oz linguine
• 1 bag of Pictsweet Farms® Seasoned Cut Asparagus Spears
• 1/2 lb of thick cut deli ham slices, cut into thin strips
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (1/2 tsp if you like mild, 2 tsp if you like spicy)
• 1 tablespoon reserved pasta water
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest, from 1 lemon (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

This dish can be easily customized to suit different preferences. You can use different types of pasta or protein to change the dish’s character.

How To Make Pasta With Asparagus And Ham

First, you will want to fill a large pot with water and place it on the stove over high heat so it can come to a boil. Salt your water with 1 tbsp kosher salt and once you have boiling water, cook pasta according to the al dente package instructions, generally around the 10 minute mark.

Cook the asparagus according to package directions. Cooking asparagus also takes about 10 minutes.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add butter and extra virgin olive oil. Once the butter melts, add your ham slices and allow to become coated in the oil and brown for about 2-3 minutes. Then add the garlic and allow to brown for about 1 minute. Add red pepper flakes and stir until evenly coated. Turn off heat.

When pasta is done cooking, drain through a colander but reserve 1 tablespoon of pasta water beforehand. Pour drained pasta and then reserved pasta water into the skillet. Add in the cooked asparagus, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat the pasta.

Serve and garnish with fresh grated parmesan.

The tender-crisp texture of asparagus adds a nice contrast to the soft pasta and the chewy ham, creating a pleasant eating experience. The lemon zest adds a nice bit of acidity while the parmesan gives it a bit of creaminess. This pasta dish with the wonderful flavor of the sauce recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser! You will want to add this to your easy pasta recipes that you repeat.

Printable Recipe Card

Pictsweet Farms® Vegetables For The Air Fryer

If you enjoy this recipe, you will want to know that Pictsweet Farms® actually makes 6 varieties of of air fryer-ready vegetables. They are all so fast and easy. Veggies are cut and seasoned so you can just place in your air fryer and then serve:

• Pictsweet Farms® Seasoned Air Fryer Cut Asparagus Spears
• Pictsweet Farms® Seasoned Air Fryer Lightly Breaded Okra
• Pictsweet Farms® Seasoned Air Fryer Lightly Breaded Halved Brussels Sprouts
• Pictsweet Farms® Seasoned Air Fryer Parmesan Cauliflower
• Pictsweet Farms® Seasoned Air Fryer Red Potatoes, Onions & Sweet Peppers
• Pictsweet Farms® Seasoned Air Fryer Mexican Street Corn

Pictsweet Farms® Prize Pack Giveaway

Details: Three lucky winners (USA Only, 18+) will each win a prize pack of 9 Pictsweet Farms® coupons for free product (each coupon valued at up to $6.00). Each prize pack worth up to $54.00.

Dates: CLOSED

Want more chances to win? Visit Easy Home Meals for great recipe and meal solutions and to enter the March Frozen Food Month Sweepstakes for a chance to win up to $10,000 in prizes!

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