Make this quick and easy Creamy Ham and Pea Tortellini in one pot in just 30 minutes with salty ham, sweet peas, and gooey cheese for a perfect weeknight meal the whole family will love!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword Ham and Pea Pasta, Ham and Pea Tortellini, One Pot Creamy Ham and Pea Tortellini
1(10 ounce) package frozen peas,thawed and patted dry
Parsley and grated Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
Melt butter in a large skillet (or pot) over medium heat.
Add the onion and half the Sara Lee® Honey Ham to the skillet. Saute until tender, about 2 minutes.
Add garlic, and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
Stir in flour. Allow mixture to heat back up, about 2 minutes.
Slowly add chicken broth, about ¼ cup at a time, stirring between each addition, until all is added and fully combined.
Bring mixture to a boil.
Stir in tortellini and thyme, and allow to simmer 4-5 minutes until tortellini is cooked through.
Turn heat down (to medium), and allow boil to reduce to a slow simmer.
Add cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan and stir until smooth and creamy.
Stir in remaining ham and peas. Continue stirring until totally heated through.
Serve warm topped with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
Notes
Get your Sara Lee® Honey Ham sliced fresh at the deli to whatever thickness you desire. I asked for medium thickness. If you want bigger cubes in your pasta, you can ask for thick sliced, or if you want thinner pieces, just ask for thin slices! So easy to get it exactly how you want it!
What kind of tortellini should you use? I love using cheese tortellini because it's mild and doesn't cover up any of the other flavors in the dish. You could also use spinach or mushroom tortellini, though the flavors in these might be a little stronger.
Be careful not to overcook the tortellini. Overcooked tortellini gets super mushy and falls apart. So be sure to just cook it until it's slightly under-cooked in step 7, which will allow it to cook the rest of the way as you finish up the recipe.
Buy your peas in a steam bag to thaw them quickly. I just throw in the microwave for a minute less than the recommended cook time, then dump them all on a paper towel to quickly dry them.
Feel free to add more cheese! If you love all things cheese, add a little extra. I love the mild creaminess from the mozzarella and the slight bite from the Parmesan, but you can add different cheeses to your preferences. I think a little Swiss or Gouda would also be excellent!