Easy One-Pot Recipe Using Leftover Ham: Instant Pot Ham & Cheese Pasta

Ingredients

• 4 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth (homemade or store‑bought low‑sodium)
• 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper (ground)
• 0.5 teaspoon Paprika (smoked or sweet)
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (pantry)
• 1 teaspoon Onion Powder (pantry)
• 16 ounces Rotini Pasta (regular, whole‑wheat or Barilla gluten‑free works best)
• 1 pound Cooked Ham (cubed; leftover ham or cooked ham steak (if uncooked, cook first))
• 1 cup Frozen Peas (no need to defrost)
• 2 cups Sharp White Cheddar Cheese (shredded; grate yourself for best melt)
• 1 cup Sour Cream (full‑fat for creaminess)
• 0.5 cup Milk (optional) (add 1 tbsp at a time if sauce is too thick)

Instructions

1. Season the broth

   Pour 4 cups of low‑sodium chicken broth into the Instant Pot inner pot. Add ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder. Stir to combine.

   Time: PT2M

2. Add the pasta

   Add the 16‑oz rotini (or other short‑curved pasta) directly into the seasoned broth.

   Time: PT1M

3. Add uncooked ham (if using)

   If using a raw ham steak, cube 1 lb and scatter it over the pasta now. If using leftover cooked ham, skip this step and add later.

   Time: PT1M

4. Pressure cook the pasta

   Seal the Instant Pot, set the venting knob to the sealing position, select Manual/Pressure Cook, and set the timer to 4 minutes on high pressure. After the timer ends, allow a natural pressure release for exactly 5 minutes, then perform a quick release.

   Time: PT9M

5. Stir in remaining ingredients

   Open the lid. Add 1 cup frozen peas, the cubed leftover ham (about 1 lb), 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, and 1 cup sour cream. Stir vigorously until the cheese melts and everything is evenly combined.

   Time: PT3M

6. Adjust sauce consistency

   If the sauce is too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time, up to ½ cup, stirring after each addition until the desired creaminess is reached.

   Time: PT1M

7. Final warm‑through

   Replace the lid, set the Instant Pot to Keep Warm for 1–2 minutes to ensure the cheese is fully melted and the peas are heated through.

   Time: PT2M

8. Serve

   Scoop the creamy pasta into bowls and enjoy immediately.

   Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

1040

Protein

45 g

Carbohydrates

55 g

Fat

33 g

Fiber

1 g