Springtime Penne

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 20 min.

Makes

5 servings

 

With ham, asparagus, onion and pasta in a creamy sauce, this stovetop supper is tasty enough for even your pickiest guests. It's great with penne, but you can also try it with mostaccioli or another type of pasta.

Ingredients

• 3 cups uncooked penne pasta
• 1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 pound cubed fully cooked ham
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute asparagus and onion in butter for 5-8 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender.
2. Add the ham, cream, pepper and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook over low heat for 1 minute. Drain pasta. Add to the asparagus mixture; toss to coat. If desired, top with shredded Parmesan cheese.

Health tip

Although this pasta dish tastes light and fresh, it does contain butter and cream. Use just 2 tablespoons of butter and half-and-half in place of heavy whipping cream to slim this dish down to just under 300 calories per serving.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 389 calories, 21g fat (12g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 617mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein.