Dinner Ideas: Ham & Peas Alfredo Pasta

Okay, hear me out — it’s chilly outside, you’re wrapped in a blanket like a burrito, and all you want is something warm, creamy, and ridiculously comforting for dinner. I got you.

This ham and peas Alfredo pasta is exactly the kind of cozy meal fall nights are made for. It’s creamy, cheesy, a little salty from the ham, sweet from the peas, and basically tastes like childhood memories and lazy evenings in one big bowl. Plus, it comes together super fast — perfect for when you’re tired, hungry, and not in the mood to do much more than boil water and stir.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups cooked ham, diced
• 1 ½ cups frozen peas
• 1 lb spaghetti noodles
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt & pepper to taste

Homemade Alfredo Sauce:

• 2 tbsp butter3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt & pepper to taste

Busy Mom Hack:

• 1 jar (15 oz) store-bought Alfredo sauce (get the good kind—you deserve it)
• Optional: Add a splash of milk or cream + fresh Parmesan to level it up

How To Make It:

1. Cook the pasta:
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Sauté the goodies:
   In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning—sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Toss in the diced ham and peas, and stir until the peas are bright green and everything is heated through.
3. Make the sauce (Homemade Option):
   In a separate saucepan, melt the butter and sauté garlic for about 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Slowly whisk in the Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Busy Mom Hack (Store-bought Shortcut):
   Pour your jar of Alfredo sauce into the skillet with the ham and peas. Add a splash of milk or pasta water to loosen it up. Stir in a handful of Parmesan cheese for that “I totally made this from scratch” flavor.
5. Bring it all together:
   Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss everything together. If it looks too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until it’s perfectly creamy.
6. Serve:
   Plate it up with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and black pepper. Bonus points if you add some garlic bread or garlic breadsticks on the side.