Pasta with Caramelized Onions Cabbage and Smoked Ham

Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this hearty and flavorful Pasta with Caramelized Onions, Cabbage, and Smoked Ham. This recipe combines tender pasta with sweet caramelized onions, sautéed cabbage, and smoky ham for a rustic, comfort-food twist on classic pasta dishes. Infused with fragrant garlic and thyme, the dish is brought together with a light, savory sauce made from reserved pasta water and a touch of butter. Optional garnishes of fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese add an elegant finish, making it perfect for both casual dinners and entertaining. Easy to prepare in under 45 minutes, this pasta recipe is a deliciously satisfying way to incorporate simple ingredients into a showstopping meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams Pasta (e.g., spaghetti or penne)
• 2 large Yellow onions
• 300 grams Green cabbage
• 200 grams Smoked ham
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 2 large Garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme leaves
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
• 50 grams Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, drain the pasta, and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the caramelized onions. Slice the yellow onions thinly. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.

Step 3

While the onions are caramelizing, shred the cabbage into thin strips and dice the smoked ham into small cubes.

Step 4

Once the onions are caramelized, push them to one side of the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the other side of the skillet. Add the shredded cabbage and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and slightly golden.

Step 5

Finely mince the garlic cloves and add them to the skillet along with the diced smoked ham and thyme. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes to warm the ham and release the garlic's fragrance.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the onion and cabbage mixture. Gradually add reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, to create a light sauce and prevent the mixture from becoming dry.

Step 7

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss again to ensure everything is well combined.

Step 8

Transfer the pasta to plates or bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1337.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1928.6

Total Fat 94.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 238mg	0%
Sodium 4615.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 176.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.4g	0%
Total Sugars 24.7g
Protein 98.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 814.8mg	0%
Iron 8.6mg	0%
Potassium 1984.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.5%

Protein: 20.2%

Carbs: 36.3%