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5 from 3 votes

5-Ingredient Penne with Prosciutto Parmesan Cream Sauce

Whip up a delicious, authentic Italian dinner in less than 20 minutes with this 5-Ingredient Penne with Prosciutto Parmesan Cream Sauce!
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Parmesan Cream Sauce, Parmesan Cream Sauce for Pasta, Prosciutto Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 530kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

  • ¼ lb. sliced Prosciutto di Parma PDO, sliced into narrow strips
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO cheese
  • Garnish: fresh chopped basil and parsley

Instructions

  • Cook penne pasta according to package instructions. Drain.

While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce:

  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add prosciutto and cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring a couple of times. The prosciutto should be browned all over and slightly crispy.
  • Add the heavy cream to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until thickened and reduced by at least one-third (about 3-4 more minutes).
  • Toss the cream sauce with the cooked penne, stir in grated cheese, and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil and extra cheese, if desired.

Notes

This recipe yields 2 very large servings, or 4 smaller servings. If you're cooking for a big family, I suggest doubling the recipe.
Recipe adapted from Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of the recipe | Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 377mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 0.9mg