Creamy Ham and Mushroom Carbonara
This delightful Creamy Ham and Mushroom Carbonara is a perfect way to repurpose leftover Christmas ham into a comforting and delicious meal. The rich combination of creamy sauce made from eggs and Parmesan cheese coats perfectly cooked pasta, while the earthy flavor of sautéed mushrooms and the savory goodness of ham elevate this dish. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike. Serve it with a sprinkle of black pepper for an extra touch of flavor, and enjoy a dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ham
1 1/2 cups (chopped)
Mushroom
1 cup (thinly sliced)
Garlic
1 clove (crushed)
Eggs
4 (beaten)
Cream
300 ml (pouring)
Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup (freshly grated)
Pasta
500 g (your choice)
Butter
1 teaspoon (melted)
Black Pepper
to taste (freshly cracked)
Instructions
1
In a small frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced mushrooms and crushed garlic, and sauté for about 2 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
2
In a large pot, bring a generous amount of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until just al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
3
While the pasta is cooking, in a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and cream until smooth and well combined. Stir in the chopped ham and the sautéed mushrooms from the frying pan.
4
Pour the creamy sauce over the hot pasta, tossing gently to combine. Ensure the pasta is well-coated in the sauce.
5
Return the pot to very low heat and cook for an additional minute, stirring gently. Be careful not to scramble the eggs; the heat should be low enough to warm the sauce without cooking the eggs too much.
6
Season with freshly cracked black pepper to taste before serving. Enjoy your Creamy Ham and Mushroom Carbonara!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Ham and Mushroom Carbonara?
It is a comforting pasta dish that repurposes leftover Christmas ham into a meal with a rich sauce made from eggs, Parmesan cheese, and cream.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 beaten eggs.
What amount of ham should I use?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of chopped ham.
How much mushroom is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of thinly sliced mushrooms.
How do I prepare the garlic?
You should use 1 clove of garlic, crushed.
What type of cream is used?
The recipe uses 300 ml of pouring cream.
How much Parmesan cheese is necessary?
You will need 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
What is the recommended pasta amount?
The recipe suggests using 500 g of your choice of pasta.
How much butter is used for sautéing?
Use 1 teaspoon of butter to sauté the mushrooms and garlic.
What is the first step in the instructions?
Melt the butter in a small frying pan over medium heat and sauté the mushrooms and garlic for 2 minutes.
How should the pasta be cooked?
The pasta should be cooked in salted boiling water according to package instructions until just al dente.
How is the carbonara sauce prepared?
Beat together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, and cream until smooth, then stir in the ham and sautéed mushrooms.
How do I combine the sauce and pasta?
Pour the creamy sauce over the hot, drained pasta and toss gently to ensure it is well-coated.
How do I prevent the eggs from scrambling?
Use very low heat and stir gently for only one minute to warm the sauce without cooking the eggs too much.
What seasoning is added at the end?
Freshly cracked black pepper is added to taste before serving.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Yes, it is described as a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
Can I use any type of pasta?
Yes, the recipe specifies 500 g of your choice of pasta.
Is this a good recipe for leftovers?
Yes, it is specifically designed to repurpose leftover Christmas ham.
How long does it take to sauté the mushrooms?
It takes about 2 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender.
What is the texture of the sauce?
The sauce is described as rich and creamy, coating the pasta perfectly.
Should the mushrooms be sliced?
Yes, the mushrooms should be thinly sliced.
What heat setting is used for the final step?
The final step uses very low heat to avoid scrambling the eggs.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 main ingredients listed.
Is the garlic sautéed with the mushrooms?
Yes, the crushed garlic and sliced mushrooms are sautéed together in butter.
Is this considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and a family favorite.
Does the recipe include salt in the sauce?
The recipe mentions cooking pasta in salted water but relies on ham and cheese for savoriness, with pepper for seasoning.
What is the prep for the ham?
The ham should be chopped into bite-sized pieces.
Can I use bottled Parmesan?
The recipe recommends freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.
Is the butter melted before adding mushrooms?
Yes, melt the butter over medium heat before adding the mushrooms and garlic.
What is the final serving suggestion?
Serve it immediately with a sprinkle of black pepper for an extra touch of flavor.