Easter Carbonara

Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 20 min | Total Time: 30 min

 Ingredients:

• 12 oz spaghetti or pasta of choice

• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter

• 1 cup diced cooked ham (leftover Easter ham works great!)

• ¾ cup frozen peas, thawed

• 2 large eggs

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• ¼ cup heavy cream (optional for extra richness)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley & more Parmesan, for garnish

 Instructions:

1. Cook Pasta
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

2. Prepare Sauce
   In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, Parmesan, and heavy cream (if using). Set aside.

3. Sauté Ham & Peas
   In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil or butter. Sauté garlic until fragrant (about 1 min), then add diced ham and cook until lightly browned. Stir in peas and warm through.

4. Combine Pasta & Sauce
   Add drained pasta to the skillet with ham and peas. Remove from heat. Quickly pour in the egg-cheese mixture, tossing constantly to create a creamy sauce (add reserved pasta water a bit at a time if needed to loosen).

5. Season & Serve
   Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve immediately!