Looking for a simple, quick, and delicious way to use up leftover ham? Ham and Asparagus Carbonara is a perfect mid-week, money-saving, one-pot dinner that will make you say, “Oh yeah, these were leftovers.”
Okay, let’s be honest. We all scroll through Facebook and instantly stop when we see a food video. We are all guilty of it. Why do they have to make everything look so delicious? That is what inspired this Ham and Asparagus Carbonara recipe. I was scrolling throw Facebook and saw a food network video. It was Trisha Yearwood making her Country Ham Carbonara and I thought that looks so delicious and creamy! However, there was something missing.
When I make pasta the side dish is usually salad, however, as a mom, I know to get my kids to eat their veggies with pasta the veggies better be in the pasta.
So what veggies go well with ham peas are great, but my kids don’t like peas. Then I thought asparagus! I know what you’re thinking, they don’t like peas but they like asparagus. Yes! They are weird like their mother I just teach them to embrace it!
So now that we got that out of the way let’s get to cooking.
Cook your pasta according to the package directions. I decided to use Angle hair because it is what I had on hand. While the pasta is cooking I take my leftover ham and dice it into 1/8 inch squares. Take the asparagus and cut it into 1-inch long pieces. Finally, cut up the onion.
Once the pasta is cooked strain it and set it aside. Now take the same pot you cooked your pasta in and place it back on the stove. Add your butter and onions and allow them to cook over medium-low heat. While the onions are cooking go ahead and get your sauce ready. In a medium bowl add the cream, eggs, parmesan and a pinch of pepper give it a good whisk.
At this point, the Ham and Asparagus Carbonara comes together rather quickly. Once the onions have become slightly soft and begin to caramelize add in the asparagus and the ham. After two minutes the ham should be warmed through and the asparagus should be close to being done. Add in the pasta and toss until everything is well combined. Finally, pour in the sauce and toss until everything is well coated and keep tossing for about two minutes to allow the sauce to cook.
If you stop and just let it cook the egg will turn into scrambled eggs so keep tossing for the entire two minutes.
That’s it, folks! All that is left is to pour yourself and drink, turn up the tunes and get to cooking those mid-week blues away!
Ham and Asparagus Carbonara
Ingredients
- 1 lb Angel Hair Pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 1/2 lbs leftover ham Cut into small bite size pieces
- 1/2 lb Asparagus thin to medium thickness
- 2 cups grated Parmesan
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 large eggs
- fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Start making angel hair pasta according to package directions.
- Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onions and a pinch of salt. Saute, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and start to caramelize. Add garlic and give it a quick stir.
- Add the ham and asparagus to the pan with the onions and garlic and cook until ham is warmed through, about 2 minutes.
- In a medium mixing bowl whisk together parmesan, cream, eggs, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper.
- Add pasta to the ham, asparagus, onions, and garlic and toss until well combined. Toss in the cream, egg, parmesan mixture until pasta is well coated. Allow everything to cook while you toss of 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately and Enjoy
Hope you all enjoy this Ham and Asparagus Carbonara! If you like what you see make sure you sign up for the free weekly newsletter to get a heads up on what’s to come, recipes straight to your inbox, and future giveaways! Also, remember you can show your love by #messycuttingboardrecipes!
That looks so good! And I need to be better about using leftovers in other recipes instead of just throwing them out when they go bad cause I never used them. Thanks for this idea!
You are very welcome! I know the feeling I used to cringe everything I cleaned out my fridge at the end of the week, saw $$$ go in the trash, then I read a report about food waste affecting the environment the next week I promised to myself I would try harder to do my part and reduce my waste. I am not perfect and some weeks I fail but I am moving in the right direction. Therefore I love to hear someone else saying they want to get better at using their leftovers!
I’m always looking for new recipes to try, and this one is different from my normal standby dishes! I love that it’s quick and easy to prepare. Pinned!
Thank you for the pin! I hope you enjoy!
This looks like such an amazing recipe! What a great way to incorporate leftovers into a brand new meal! 🙂
Thank you so much! Cutting back on food waste is not only good for the pocketbook but also for the environment, therefore, cutting back on kitchen waste is one of my goals for the year!
This looks so yummy! Not sure I’ve ever made a pasta dish with ham, but… why not?! Perfect for leftovers.
Well there is a first time for everything and I am happy to introduce you ham in pasta!
This looks really good! Great way to use your leftover ham. My kids would love this!
It is a must the week after Easter every year in my house not because mama days but because the kids say! SO I am so happy to hear your kids would love it!
Yum! I haven’t seen this combo before and am excited to try it.
Well, in that case, I am glad I can introduce you to something new! Enjoy!
This flavor combo is ON POINT! I definitely need to try this recipe out, especially since it can be done in one pot and it is so easy with leftovers!
Thank you so much! There is nothing better than quick, delicious, easy clean up meals!
I love new low-carb options. Putting on my weekly meal plan.
Thank you hun!
We loved this dish. It has great flavors and so easy to do.
Thank you for sharing. I made half a recipe and we still have
some leftover for a snack or two.
Thank you so much!! I am so glad to hear you liked it and the directions were easy and simple to follow. You comment made my day! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
My family absolutely loved this Carbonara recipe. It’s definitely a keeper! Pinned.
I am so glad to hear that!! Thank you so much!! Have a wonderful week!
Wondering if i can substitute evaporated milk or skim milk for the heavy cream?
There’s no real substitute for a cream that tastes anything like or nearly as good as cream. But if it is to make it a healthy alternative you can substitute skim milk only use 3/4 cup. Just know the taste won’t be the same without the cream, and the sauce may be runnier. Now if you want to just do a traditional carbonara sauce you can completely lose the cream or milk and just whisk the eggs, parmesan, and black pepper together and that will be your sauce. I just prefer the richness of the cream to balance out the sweetness of the ham.
I used milk and it tasted delicious. In an attempt to make our meals healthier I also substituted spaghetti squash for half of the pasta. No regrets it was fabulous!
Woop woop! That is great! I am so glad you and your family enjoyed it! Hope you have a fabulous weekend!