Mary Berry has shared a simple 15-minute pasta recipe ideal for busy weeknights. The dish features a creamy creme fraiche sauce, crispy Parma ham, and chestnut mushrooms, and can be on the table in a quarter of an hour.
Quick and Delicious Pasta Supper
The recipe notes state: "This is my standby pasta supper as it is so delicious, so quick, and everyone loves it. Great for everyday use or casual supper parties, too." The base is a creme fraiche sauce, topped with crispy Parma ham for flavour and texture. The dish serves six and can be easily halved or doubled.
Ingredients for Mary Berry's 15-Minute Pasta
To make the pasta, you will need: 350g penne pasta, two 80g packs of Parma ham snipped into small pieces, 250g small brown chestnut mushrooms halved or quartered, 200g full-fat creme fraiche, 100g grated Parmesan, and two tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley. Serve with a green salad and crunchy bread.
Cooking Method
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions, then drain. Heat a frying pan and fry the Parma ham until crisp. Transfer half the ham to a plate. Add the mushrooms to the pan and fry for two minutes. Add the creme fraiche and bring to a boil. Then add the pasta, Parmesan, and parsley, tossing together over the heat. Season generously with salt and pepper. Serve with salad and bread.
Tips and Variations
If using reduced-fat creme fraiche, stir it in at the end to prevent splitting. For special occasions, Mary suggests adding asparagus tips to the pasta four minutes before the end of cooking, then draining together.
