Pasta with Parma ham and tomato sauce is very easy to make with a lovely flavour.
4 items will make a real difference – which tomatoes you use, the basil, type of pasta and type of mozzarella.
Step by step advice and recipe below:
Pasta with Parma ham and tomato sauce
When making the pasta with Parma ham and tomato sauce there are 4 items that will make a difference:
1. Fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes
When making this recipe I used canned tomatoes.
Simple reason is that my Roma tomatoes are not yet ripe. And I will be making this recipe again in a couple of weeks when they are ready.
The advantage of canned tomatoes is that they are very easy to use (just open the can 😊)
However, fresh tomatoes do take this recipe to a higher level.
More details on how to use in the recipe note below.
2. Fresh basil or basil cubes
The type of basil you use will also have a major impact on the flavour.
You can use either fresh basil or basil cubes – but both are simply much better than dried basil.
I tend to use a lot of basil cubes because I keep them in the freezer and will have the ‘nice fresh flavour’ all year round – even if my basil plants are not growing.
3. Dried, fresh or home made pasta
In the recipe I used dried macaroni pasta – because it’s ideal for thick, creamy, or chunky sauces.
In addition it is also ever so easy to use and I simply have lots in the cupboard.
On the other hand fresh pasta will taste better.
But for the best possible taste it’s not that difficult to make your own pasta – simply using a machine like the one pictured (available from Amazon) Which comes with ‘step by step’ advice.
4. Grated mozzarella or mozzarella balls
The type & quality of mozzarella also makes a real difference to flavour.
There are 2 ways you can add the mozzarella.
The obvious one is to get some and grate it.
On the other hand (as in the video) mozzarella balls are so easy to use. More details on Amazon
Pasta with Parma ham and tomato sauce
Equipment
- 1 Large frying plan
- 1 Knife and chopping board
- 1 Grater optional
Ingredients
- 300 g dried pasta
- 1 Onion chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic crushed
- 2 cans Chopped tomatoes Or fresh – see note
- 8 slices Parma ham Cut into strips
- 2 tsp Chopped basil Or 1 basil cube – see note
- 114 g Mozzarella cheese Either balls or grated
- 2 tsp Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Fry the onion and garlic in oil for 5 mins or softened.
- Stir in the tomatoes, breaking with back of wooden spoon. cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring ocasionaly.
- Add basil and Parma ham and simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Add mozzarella and cook gently for 1 minute until cheese has melted,
- Season to taste, stir in pasta and combine
- Lastly sprinkle parmesan on top
Video
Nutrition
How to serve pasta with Parma ham and tomato sauce
It’s great on it’s own, as a quick & easy meal.
In the picture above I also had some garlic bread, but a salad will also work great.
Have you made the recipe?
Would love to hear what you thought of it
Leave a Reply