Spicy Fiesta Ham and Cheese Pasta
Solo Fiesta Ham and Cheese Pasta 🍝
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 1
Description:
The competing colors and flavors of onion, sweet bell, and spicy jalapeno peppers will add excitement to traditional ham and cheese, and the pasta will complete this one-dish meal.
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1/2 | Ham |
| 1/2 | Cheddar cheese |
| 1/3 | Onion |
| 2/3 | Red bell pepper |
| 1 | Dry pasta |
| 1 | Olive oil |
| 2 | Butter |
| 1 | Salt |
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: 1068.7
- Total Fat: 63.1g
- Saturated Fat: 24.6g
- Cholesterol: 126.3mg
- Sodium: 1502.8mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 82.4g
- Fiber: 6.1g
- Sugar: 8.9g
- Protein: 43.6g
Instructions:
-
Boil Pasta: Heat one quart of salted water in a pot until it boils. Add the dry pasta and cook for approximately 8 minutes or until al dente.
-
Prepare Ingredients: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil and butter in a shallow pan over medium heat. Add onions once the butter has melted.
-
Sauté: Sauté the onions until they become nearly transparent, then add the ham, red bell pepper, and jalapeno peppers.
-
Simmer: Reduce the heat and stir the ingredients while waiting for the pasta to cook through.
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Combine: Once the pasta is cooked, add two tablespoons of the pasta water to the pan with the sautéed ingredients. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan.
-
Stir and Serve: Stir the pasta and ingredients together for several minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve hot.
-
Add Cheese: At the table, sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the pasta and stir again to incorporate.
Tips:
- For a spicier kick, leave the jalapeno seeds in.
- Substitute the ham with cooked chicken or turkey for a different flavor profile.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for a burst of freshness.
- Experiment with different types of cheese for varied flavors.
- Adjust the amount of salt according to your taste preference.
