Elevate Your Dinner: Easy & Elegant Prosciutto Pasta with Peas & Parmesan

Prosciutto Pasta is an elegantly simple yet incredibly flavorful dish, made with savory prosciutto, tender peas, and a rich Parmesan cheese sauce. It’s the perfect recipe to serve for a special Christmas Eve celebration, a romantic date night at home, or whenever you crave a sophisticated meal that comes together with ease.

As the holidays approach, many of us turn to cherished food traditions. For my family, Christmas Eve has always meant a delicious seafood Alfredo, a nod to the time-honored Feast of the Seven Fishes. While I adore my broccoli Alfredo pasta recipe (easily adapted with shrimp for a seafood version!), I often find myself wanting to explore other elegant pasta dishes that capture the festive spirit without being overtly seafood-centric.

This desire led me to create this exquisite Prosciutto Pasta. It’s a dish that embodies the same comforting warmth and sophistication as our holiday traditions but offers a delightful change of pace. While it shares some characteristics with a classic carbonara, I’ve taken a delicious (and decidedly non-Italian) liberty by incorporating fresh, sweet peas. These vibrant green gems not only add a pop of color but also provide a wonderful freshness that beautifully cuts through the richness of the prosciutto and creamy egg-based sauce, creating a perfectly balanced bite.

That’s why I’m proud to call this my Prosciutto Pasta, distinguishing it from a traditional carbonara. Designed for two, this recipe makes it an ideal choice for an intimate date night at home or a charming Christmas Dinner For Two. It’s a testament to how simple, high-quality ingredients can transform into a truly memorable meal.

What is Prosciutto? Understanding This Italian Delicacy

Prosciutto, a jewel of Italian charcuterie, is a dry-cured ham renowned for its delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a complex flavor profile that is both earthy and subtly nutty. Originating centuries ago, this traditional delicacy typically comes in two main forms: prosciutto crudo (uncooked, raw, and thinly sliced) and prosciutto cotto (cooked ham). For this pasta dish, we exclusively use prosciutto crudo, which is the more common and highly prized variety.

The magic of prosciutto crudo lies in its meticulous production process. High-quality pork legs are salted, seasoned, and then air-dried for months, sometimes even years, depending on the desired flavor intensity and region of origin. Famous varieties like Prosciutto di Parma or Prosciutto di San Daniele are protected by strict regulations, ensuring their superior quality and authentic taste. This careful curing process concentrates the meat’s flavors, resulting in a savory, slightly sweet, and utterly irresistible ham that adds unparalleled depth to any dish.

While often served as a star component on a sophisticated charcuterie board for two, its versatility extends far beyond. You can wrap it around melon for a classic appetizer, tuck it into sandwiches, drape it over salads, or, as we’re doing today, transform it into a show-stopping dinner with recipes like my Prosciutto Arugula Pizza or this exquisite prosciutto pasta.

Why You’ll Love This Elegant Prosciutto Pasta Recipe

This Prosciutto Pasta isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. Here’s why you’ll want to add it to your regular rotation:

• Effortlessly Elegant: Despite its sophisticated flavor, this dish is remarkably simple to prepare, making it perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a fancy meal without the fuss.
• Quick & Convenient: From start to finish, you can have this delicious meal on the table in under 35 minutes, ideal for busy weeknights or spontaneous date nights.
• Balanced Flavor Profile: The salty, crispy prosciutto perfectly complements the sweet peas, while the rich, creamy Parmesan sauce and fresh black pepper create a harmonious blend of tastes.
• No Cream, All Creaminess: Achieve a luxurious, velvety sauce without a drop of heavy cream, thanks to the magic of egg, Parmesan, and starchy pasta water. It’s lighter yet incredibly satisfying.
• Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt this recipe with additional vegetables, herbs, or a touch of spice to suit your preferences.

Ingredients for Prosciutto Pasta: Building Flavor from Scratch

Crafting your perfect pasta with prosciutto and peas requires a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is vital:

• Spaghetti: A long, classic pasta choice that perfectly holds the light sauce. You can also opt for other long pastas like linguine or fettuccine, or even a shorter pasta like penne or rigatoni if you prefer. The key is cooking it al dente – tender with a slight bite – for the best texture.
• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing our aromatics and crisping the prosciutto. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor foundation.
• Prosciutto: The star of the show! Look for thinly sliced, high-quality prosciutto crudo. When cooked until crispy, it adds an incredible depth of salty, savory flavor and a delightful textural contrast to every bite.
• Onion and Garlic: These aromatics form the base of our flavor. Sautéing the onion until softened and the garlic until fragrant releases their sweet and pungent notes, infusing the entire dish.
• Peas: Because this pasta is wonderfully rich and decadent, the sweetness and freshness of the peas are crucial. They provide a vibrant color and a delightful pop that balances the heavier elements, making the dish feel complete and refreshing. Frozen peas work perfectly and can be added directly to the boiling pasta water in the last minute of cooking.
• Egg: This is the secret to our luscious, creamy “sauce” without using any actual cream. When whisked with cheese and hot pasta water, and then quickly stirred into the hot pasta off the heat, it creates a silky emulsion that coats each strand beautifully. Ensure your egg is at room temperature for a smoother, more emulsified sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Absolutely critical for flavor and creaminess. Use freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese – its nutty, salty, umami notes are incomparable. Avoid pre-grated cheeses from a can, as they often contain anti-caking agents and lack the genuine flavor that makes this dish shine.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a pungent warmth that beautifully complements and balances the salty cheese and prosciutto. Don’t be shy with it!
• Parsley: A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley at the end adds a burst of herbaceous freshness and a touch of vibrant green, enhancing both the flavor and visual appeal.

For this recipe, I proudly used Volpi’s award-winning prosciutto. Volpi is a fourth-generation family-owned and operated cured meat brand that has been mastering specialty cured meats for over 120 years. Their commitment to using ancient European dry-curing techniques, without shortcuts or artificial processes, truly shines through in the quality of their product. You can taste the tradition and expertise in every slice.

Beyond their exceptional taste, Volpi products are also sustainably produced through their Raised Responsibly™ program. This means they source their meat from trusted, local Midwest family farms that strictly adhere to their animal wellness standards, ensuring both ethical practices and premium quality. For more information on their heritage and products, I encourage you to visit the Volpi Foods website.

How To Cook Prosciutto Pasta: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this delicious prosciutto pasta is straightforward, but a few key techniques ensure a perfect result every time. Follow these steps for an unforgettable meal:

1. Cook the Pasta and Peas to Perfection

Begin by bringing a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. A good rule of thumb is that your pasta water should taste like the sea – this is your first opportunity to season your pasta. Add your spaghetti and cook according to package directions until it’s al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. During the last minute of cooking, add the frozen peas directly to the boiling pasta water. This ensures they are perfectly tender and vibrant green.

Crucial Tip: Just before draining, remember to reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. This “liquid gold” is essential for creating our creamy sauce! I often leave a heat-proof measuring cup in the colander as a reminder.

2. Crisp the Prosciutto and Sauté Aromatics

While your pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped prosciutto and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the prosciutto is crispy and the onions have softened and become translucent, which should take about 5 minutes. This rendering process extracts incredible flavor from the prosciutto. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for just 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

3. Prepare the Creamy Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the room temperature egg, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is well combined and smooth. This will be the base of your luscious, cream-free sauce.

4. Combine and Emulsify

Once the spaghetti and peas are cooked and drained (remembering to save that pasta water!), immediately add them to the skillet with the crispy prosciutto, onion, and garlic. Remove the skillet from the heat. This is important: you want the pasta to be hot, but not actively cooking, when you add the egg mixture.

Make a well in the center of the spaghetti, then pour in your egg, cheese, and pasta water mixture. Stir quickly and continuously, tossing the pasta with tongs, to coat the noodles and cook the egg gently without scrambling it. The residual heat from the pasta and the starch in the reserved water will create a beautifully smooth, glossy, and creamy sauce that clings to every strand.

5. Serve and Garnish

Serve immediately, garnished with a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley. The warmth of the pasta will ensure the sauce stays perfectly emulsified.

Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Egg: Using a room temperature egg helps prevent it from scrambling and ensures a smoother emulsification for your sauce.
• Don’t Overcook Pasta: Always aim for al dente. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and won’t hold the sauce as well.
• Reserve Enough Pasta Water: This starchy water is key to getting the right consistency for your sauce. It helps bind the egg and cheese, creating a silky texture.
• Work Quickly Off the Heat: When adding the egg mixture, remove the skillet from direct heat. Stir rapidly and continuously to allow the residual heat to gently cook the egg and create a creamy sauce, rather than scrambling it.
• Taste and Adjust: Always taste your pasta before serving and adjust seasoning with extra salt (if needed after the prosciutto and Parmesan), black pepper, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
• Serve Immediately: This pasta is best enjoyed fresh off the stove while the sauce is at its creamiest.

Variations and Customizations for Your Prosciutto Pasta

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to experiment with these ideas:

• Add More Veggies: Stir in a handful of fresh spinach during the last minute of cooking the pasta, or add some blanched asparagus tips or cherry tomatoes halved.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic will give your pasta a pleasant warmth.
• Different Herbs: While parsley is classic, fresh basil or chives would also be delicious.
• A Touch of Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest at the end can brighten the flavors beautifully.
• Ricotta Swirl: For an even creamier, richer sauce, swirl in a tablespoon or two of fresh ricotta cheese along with the egg mixture.
• Cheese Swap: For a sharper, saltier kick, try using Pecorino Romano cheese instead of, or in addition to, Parmigiano-Reggiano.

What To Serve With Prosciutto Pasta

Round out your pasta dinner for two with one of these delightful side dishes:

• Small Batch Dinner Rolls: Perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce.
• Green Onion Salad: A light and refreshing salad to cut through the richness.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic: Earthy and slightly sweet, these complement the savory notes.
• Roasted Rainbow Carrots by Dish by Dish: Adds color and a sweet, caramelized vegetable element.
• Garlic Bread: A classic pairing, no Italian-inspired meal is complete without a side of crusty, garlicky bread.
• Simple Green Salad: A fresh mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast.

Prosciutto Pasta

Yield:
2 servings

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
35 minutes

Prosciutto Pasta is an elegant pasta recipe made with prosciutto, peas, and Parmesan cheese. Serve it as an easy date night recipe.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces uncooked spaghetti
• 1/4 cup frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 slices prosciutto, chopped (roughly 1/2 cup)
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• Ground black pepper and fresh chopped parsley, for serving

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add a big handful of salt then add spaghetti. Cook as directed on the package until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. During the last minute of the pasta cooking, add the peas. Reserve 2 tablespoons pasta water then drain into colander.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Once hot, add the prosciutto and onion. Cook the prosciutto until crispy and onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
3. Remove from the heat and add the hot, cooked spaghetti and peas. Stir until the noodles are coated.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, cheese, and reserved pasta water.
5. Make a well in the middle of the spaghetti and add the egg mixture, mixing quickly until the egg is cooked. Keep stirring to avoid scrambling the egg. Serve with black pepper and parsley on top.

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Volpi Foods. Thank you for supporting me and the companies I work with as sponsored posts help pay for website hosting and groceries.

We hope you enjoy this elegant Prosciutto Pasta as much as we do. It’s a versatile dish that proves you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create something truly special. Whether for a holiday gathering, a romantic dinner, or a simple weeknight treat, this recipe promises to deliver rich flavors and a delightful culinary experience.