Ham Oil Pasta: Rich Flavor Without Bacon!
Easy Homemade Ham Oil Pasta Recipe
Introducing a ham oil pasta that’s perfect for our family’s taste! We’ve replaced the strong smoky flavor of bacon with the mild taste of ham, creating a dish that everyone can enjoy. This recipe is a great option for when you don’t have bacon on hand or when you’re craving a different kind of oil pasta. Make your meal special with this simple yet delicious ham oil pasta.
Ingredients- 5 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 3-4 shrimp (thawed and patted dry)
- 2 slices of ham (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 3-4 dried chili peppers or pepperoncini (crushed)
- 8 tablespoons olive oil
- 90g pasta (linguine, farfalle, or your choice)
- Pinch of dried parsley (for garnish)
- 1/2 tablespoon chicken stock (liquid or powder)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon white wine (optional)
- 1 ladle of pasta water
- 1 ladle of mussel broth (or clam broth)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Before you begin cooking, prepare all your ingredients. Thinly slice the garlic, and cut the ham into bite-sized pieces. Thaw the shrimp and pat them dry. Crush the dried chili peppers. Having your ingredients prepped will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, let’s make a delicious sauce. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. First, add the farfalle pasta and cook for 3 minutes. Then, add the linguine and cook together. Linguine has a flat, oval shape with a larger surface area, which allows the oil sauce to cling to it beautifully, making it ideal for oil pasta. If you don’t have linguine, feel free to use other types of pasta.
Step 3
While the pasta is boiling, heat 8 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a pan over low heat. Add the sliced garlic and crushed chili peppers, and sauté gently until fragrant. You’ll notice a wonderful aroma as the garlic turns golden brown. Be sure to manage the heat carefully to prevent the garlic from burning.
Step 4
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the shrimp and sliced ham to the pan and stir-fry together. Sprinkle with a pinch of black pepper and add 1 tablespoon of white wine. Cooking off the alcohol will enhance the flavors of the ingredients.
Step 5
When the shrimp and ham are cooked to your liking, add 1 ladle of pasta water and 1 ladle of mussel broth to the pan. This will help to create a smooth, flavorful sauce.
Step 6
Once the sauce is ready, drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the pan. Stir in an additional 3 tablespoons of olive oil and half a tablespoon of chicken stock. Toss everything together gently for 1-2 minutes, ensuring the sauce coats the pasta evenly. This step helps the pasta and sauce meld together for maximum flavor.
Step 7
This ham oil pasta is incredibly delicious! Farfalle, often used in cream sauces, is also wonderful in oil-based pasta dishes. Using ham instead of bacon provides a milder flavor without the strong smokiness, making it very enjoyable. Try using ham when you don’t have bacon or want to explore a different pasta flavor. Finally, sprinkle with dried parsley for a beautiful garnish and an extra touch of fragrance!
