Mary Berry's 15-minute pasta dish with Parma ham is a perfect midweek summer dinner, requiring just six ingredients. The recipe, which serves six, features a creamy crème fraîche sauce topped with crispy Parma ham.
Simple Ingredients for a Quick Meal
The ingredients include 350g penne pasta, two 80g packs of Parma ham snipped into small pieces, 250g brown chestnut mushrooms halved or quartered, 200g full-fat crème fraîche, 100g grated Parmesan, and two tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley. To serve, a green salad and crunchy bread are recommended.
According to the recipe notes: "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."
Step-by-Step Method
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to packet instructions, then drain and set aside. Heat a frying pan until hot, add the Parma ham, and fry until crisp. Transfer half the ham to a plate and set aside. Add the mushrooms to the pan and fry for two minutes. Add the crème fraîche and bring to the boil. Then add the pasta, Parmesan, and parsley, tossing everything together over the heat. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Mary suggests serving the pasta with salad and crunchy bread. For special occasions, she recommends adding a pack of asparagus tips to the pasta four minutes before it finishes cooking, then draining the pasta alongside the asparagus.
Tips for Best Results
If using reduced-fat crème fraîche, stir it through at the end of cooking to prevent splitting. The recipe can be easily halved or doubled for leftovers. Mary Berry has shared many pasta recipes over the years, including lasagne and bolognese bake, but this 15-minute dish stands out for its simplicity during warmer weather.
