Renowned television chef Mary Berry has long been celebrated for her accessible and delightful recipes that cater to a wide array of occasions. With her straightforward approach, she has demystified the art of preparing meals from scratch, making home cooking a joy for many. Among her extensive collection of crowd-pleasing dishes, one standout is her 15-minute pasta recipe, which has garnered enthusiastic praise from home cooks who have tried it. This dish serves as an ideal midweek family meal, bursting with flavour and simplicity.
Mary Berry's Go-To Pasta Supper
Mary Berry herself describes this pasta as her "standby supper," emphasising its appeal and efficiency. She notes, "This is my standby pasta supper as it is so delicious, so quick, and everyone loves it. Great for everyday or for casual supper parties too." The recipe, which has been featured on BBC Food, is designed to serve six people and is both nut-free and pregnancy-friendly, ensuring it can be enjoyed by a broad audience. True to its promise, it can be prepared in just 15 minutes, making it a practical choice for busy households.
Simple Ingredients and Easy Steps
The dish requires only seven ingredients, many of which are likely already stocked in home kitchens, and it involves three straightforward steps. The base of the recipe is a rich crème fraîche pasta sauce, topped with crispy Parma ham that adds a depth of flavour and a satisfying texture. Mary explains, "Its base is a crème fraîche pasta sauce, and it's topped with crispy Parma ham, which gives tons of flavour and great texture." This combination creates a harmonious blend that is both comforting and elegant.
Recipe Details
Ingredients:
- 350g penne pasta
- Two 80g packs Parma ham, snipped into small pieces
- 250g small brown chestnut mushrooms, halved or quartered
- 200g full-fat crème fraîche
- 100g Parmesan, grated
- Two tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Method:
- Boil a pan of salted water and cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
- Heat a frying pan until hot. Add the Parma ham and fry until crispy. Put half the Parma ham onto a plate and set aside.
- Add the mushrooms to the pan and fry for two minutes. Add the crème fraîche and bring to a boil. Add the pasta, Parmesan, and parsley. Toss over the heat and season with salt and pepper before adding the crispy Parma ham that was set aside.
Serve the pasta with a green salad and crunchy bread for a complete meal. Mary offers a helpful tip for those opting for reduced-fat crème fraîche: stir it through at the end of cooking to prevent splitting. Additionally, she suggests, "For special occasions, add a pack of asparagus tips to the pasta four minutes before the end of cooking time, then drain with the pasta," providing a simple way to elevate the dish for more festive gatherings.
This recipe exemplifies Mary Berry's talent for creating dishes that are both quick to prepare and universally appealing. Whether for a hectic weekday dinner or a relaxed supper party, her 15-minute pasta stands as a testament to the joy of simple, flavourful cooking that brings people together.
