Pasta

Skillet Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Peas

Enjoy a comforting bowl of Skillet Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Peas. This dish is easy, delicious, and perfect for any night.

This Skillet Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Peas is a pasta dish that combines smoky ham, sweet peas, and a smooth cheese sauce, creating a quick and satisfying meal made with pantry staples!

A bowl of creamy shell pasta with ham cubes and chopped chives, placed on a light blue napkin with a fork and spoon; a pan of the same pasta is in the background with a wooden spoon.

Why You’ll 🫶🏻 this Pasta

This simple recipe uses everyday ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, transforming them into a deliciously creamy, cheesy pasta dish everyone will adore. The best part is that the pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all the wonderful flavors from the ham and cheese. Whether you’re looking to use up leftover ham or need a quick meal for a busy weeknight, this dish is sure to impress. Happy cooking! ~Nicole

Key Ingredients for Skillet Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Peas

A top-down view of ingredients for a pasta dish, including dry pasta shells, shredded cheese, diced ham, green peas, butter, seasonings, herbs, and a glass of water, all arranged in glass bowls on a white surface.

Small-shaped Pasta is the main carb ingredient. I like to use a lumache or a pipe regate because they hold the sauce and the peas well, and the peas like to hide inside!

Cheese is another superstar in this dish. I use a combination of sharp white cheddar and Monterey Jack for their excellent taste and melting properties.

Evaporated Milk lends a creamy base for the sauce that doesn’t curdle or become grainy.

Cornstarch is a starch powder that is a thickening agent.

Cayenne pepper and ground mustard are spices that add a little kick.

Ham and Peas are the protein and vegetable in this dish. The peas are frozen when added, making this a very accessible year-round dish.

Chives lend a mild onion flavor and another pop of color.

Unsalted Butter finishes the dish with a creamy richness

Equipment Needed

12-inch non-stick skillet
Sporks

A pan of pasta cooking on a stove, next to bowls containing cubed ham, peas, butter, shredded cheese, cream, breadcrumbs, and a whisk on a light-colored countertop.

A skillet on a stove contains pasta shells, peas, and cubed ham in a creamy sauce. Next to the skillet are a bowl of shredded cheese, a small dish of butter, and a wooden spoon resting in a metal cup.

Tip for Making Skillet Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Peas

In a 12-inch non-stick skillet, bring 3 ½ cups of water, 1 cup evaporated milk, pasta, and salt to a boil. Cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente. While the pasta cooks, whisk together the remaining ½ cup evaporated milk, cornstarch, dry mustard, and cayenne if using.
Stir the evaporated milk mixture into the pasta and cook for another minute or until slightly thickened. Stir in the ham and the peas.
Off heat, add the cheese a handful at a time until melted.
Stir in the butter and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

A bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese with cubes of ham and chopped chives, placed on a white surface with a blue napkin nearby and a wooden spoon in the background.

Substitutions

Use any type of small-shaped pasta, like elbows or lumache. I used a pipe rigate, a curved pasta with ridges, and I love how it holds the sauce and the peas!
Use leftover ham or ham steaks that are readily available at the store.
Experiment with different cheeses, like Colby-Jack or Cheddar-Gruyère. Remember my Kitchen Tip on how to grate semi-soft cheese with a box grater!
Regular evaporated milk will give the richest taste, but reduced-fat evaporated milk can be substituted. I do not recommend fat-free.
Cayenne pepper can be omitted or swapped out with another hot sauce, like Tabasco.
I love the addition of fresh spring chives, but you can use parsley, chervil, or dill.

A bowl of cheesy shell pasta with diced ham and chopped chives sits on a blue napkin, next to a spoon and fork. A larger serving dish of the same pasta is in the background with a wooden spoon.

Serving Suggestions

This is a one-skillet meal, but any simple side salad pairs well.

Green Salad with Ranch Dressing
Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
Bibb Lettuce Salad with House Vinaigrette
Fruit Salad with Lime-Mint Syrup

Don’t forget the sporks! I love these utensils!

Other macaroni and cheese dishes you may enjoy…

A bowl of pasta shells with broccoli in a creamy sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs, sits on a blue napkin with two forks. A skillet with more pasta and a shaker of red spice are in the background. — **Skillet Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese with Garlic Breacrumbs**

A serving of baked macaroni and cheese topped with toasted bread cubes sits on a white plate, with a fork and knife nearby and a casserole dish in the background. — **Skillet Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese with Garlic Breacrumbs**

I don’t have a 12-inch non-stick skillet. What can I use?

You can opt for a stainless steel pan or a heavy-bottomed skillet as substitutes for a non-stick skillet. These alternatives can cook a wide range of foods, though they may need a little extra butter to prevent sticking.

Can you freeze this macaroni and cheese?

Yes. Make sure the dish has cooled completely before storing in freezer-safe containers. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. A word to the wise: since this dish has peas, use low heat when reheating to avoid overcooking them.

Can I use fresh peas?

Absolutely. Frozen peas have moisture and add a thickness to the sauce. If using fresh peas, you may need to add a little water.

Skillet Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Peas

By Nicole Prep: 5 minsCook: 20 minsTotal: 25 mins Servings: 6 A bowl of creamy shell pasta with ham cubes and chopped chives, placed on a light blue napkin with a fork and spoon; a pan of the same pasta is in the background with a wooden spoon.

This pasta dish combines smoky ham, sweet peas, and a smooth cheese sauce, creating a satisfying meal made with pantry staples!

Equipment

12-inch non-stick skillet
Sporks

Ingredients

3 ½ cups water, plus more as needed
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk, well shaken, and divided
12 ounces small shaped pasta, about 3 cups
½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon cornstarch
¼ teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
8 ounces ham, diced into ½ inch pieces
1 cup frozen peas
8 ounces extra sharp white cheddar cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
3 tablespoons (1 ½ ounces) unsalted butter, cut into ½ inch dice
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Instructions

In a 12-inch non-stick skillet, bring the water, 1 cup of the evaporated milk, and salt to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is almost tender, about 8-10 minutes.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk the remaining ½ cup of evaporated milk, cornstarch, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper, if using. Add the mixture to the skillet, and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Stir in the diced ham and peas.
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Stir in the butter until smooth and creamy, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy!

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat over a low heat or low power in the microwave to avoid overcooking the peas.

Nutrition

Calories: 767kcal, Carbohydrates: 58g, Protein: 42g, Fat: 40g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 124mg, Sodium: 1388mg, Potassium: 507mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 1116IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 592mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Source: Adapted from The Best 30-Minute Recipe by the editors of America’s Test Kitchen