Ham It Up Spaghetti

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with 'Ham It Up Spaghetti,' a creamy and indulgent pasta dish that combines tender spaghetti with savory diced ham, vibrant red bell peppers, and a rich, Parmesan-infused sauce. This recipe takes just 30 minutes to prepare, featuring a luscious blend of heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and garlic for an irresistible medley of flavors. Fresh baby spinach adds a pop of color and nutrients, while a sprinkle of chopped parsley completes this comforting yet elegant meal. Perfect for busy nights or casual entertaining, 'Ham It Up Spaghetti' transforms simple pantry staples into a dish that’s sure to impress. Easy to make and packed with flavor, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1.5 cups ham, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat until melted.

Step 3

Add diced ham to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until slightly browned.

Step 4

Stir in minced garlic and diced red bell pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.

Step 6

Gradually stir in grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 7

Add the baby spinach to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.

Step 8

Toss the cooked spaghetti into the skillet, combining it with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.

Step 9

Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Step 10

Serve hot and enjoy your 'Ham It Up Spaghetti'!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1441.8 grams (1441.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3138

Total Fat 220.40g	283%
Saturated Fat 114.00g	570%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 690mg	230%
Sodium 7223mg	314%
Total Carbohydrate 126.40g	46%
Dietary Fiber 11.70g	42%
Total Sugars 15.00g
Protein 134.30g	269%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1071mg	82%
Iron 13mg	72%
Potassium 1607mg	34%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.5%

Protein: 17.8%

Carbs: 16.7%