Best 5 Penne With Asparagus Ham And Basil Weight Watchers Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in a culinary journey with our delectable Penne with Asparagus, Ham, and Basil, a Weight Watchers-friendly dish that harmonizes vibrant flavors and textures. This recipe is a harmonious blend of tender penne pasta, crisp asparagus, savory ham, and aromatic basil, all enveloped in a creamy and flavorful sauce.

In addition to the main recipe, we offer a collection of equally enticing variations that cater to diverse dietary preferences and taste buds. For those seeking a vegetarian alternative, our Penne with Asparagus and Peas is a delightful choice, featuring fresh peas that add a burst of sweetness and color to the dish.

For those who prefer a heartier option, our Penne with Ham and Broccoli is a satisfying indulgence, where broccoli florets lend a delightful crunch and nutritional value. And if you're craving a spicy kick, our Penne with Chorizo and Peppers will tantalize your taste buds with its zesty blend of chorizo, bell peppers, and a hint of chili flakes.

Our collection of recipes ensures that everyone can find their perfect match, providing a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving for more.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS AND CHERRY TOMATOES (SPRING)



Penne with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes (Spring) image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 ounces penne pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 pounds thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups (about 9 ounces) cherry tomatoes
1 cup shelled fresh peas
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock
1 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with the salt and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour the chicken stock into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
  • Transfer the asparagus mixture to a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 of the Parmesan. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped basil.

SPRINGTIME PENNE



Springtime Penne image

With ham, asparagus, onion and pasta in a creamy sauce, this stovetop supper is tasty enough for even your pickiest guests. It's great with penne, but you can also try it with mostaccioli or another type of pasta.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 20m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter
1/2 pound cubed fully cooked ham
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute asparagus and onion in butter for 5-8 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender., Add the ham, cream, pepper and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook over low heat for 1 minute. Drain pasta. Add to the asparagus mixture; toss to coat. If desired, top with shredded Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 389 calories, Fat 21g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 617mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS, HAM, AND BASIL (WEIGHT WATCHERS)



Penne With Asparagus, Ham, and Basil (Weight Watchers) image

Make and share this Penne With Asparagus, Ham, and Basil (Weight Watchers) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Chesska

Categories     Penne

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups penne
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 large tomatoes, coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 lb asparagus, trimmed to 2 inch lengths
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 lb ham, cubed
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Prepare the pasta according to the package directions.
  • Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nonstick pan, over medium-high heat. Add the tomato, garlic, and red pepper flakes; cook stirring occasionally until the tomato is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the asparagus, broth and lemon juice; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the asparagus is tender, about 3 minutes longer.
  • Add the pasta, ham, basil and parmesan to the pan; toss to combine.

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS AND CREAM SAUCE



Penne With Asparagus and Cream Sauce image

A beautifully simple garlicky cream sauce, roasted asparagus and whole wheat penne come together for an excellent vegetarian meal.

Provided by merron-iru kami

Categories     Penne

Time 30m

Yield 8-16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 lb dry penne pasta
1 1/2 lbs fresh asparagus
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
1/4 cup white wine
4 tablespoons heavy cream
1 cup skim milk
2 teaspoons dried basil
4 ounces aged gouda cheese, shredded
salt and pepper
2 ounces walnuts, toasted and chopped (optional)

Steps:

  • Prepare pasta according to box directions.
  • While pasta is cooking, wash asparagus, break off the woody stems and arrange on a cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Broil for 5-10 minutes until the asparagus is tender (to your personal taste). Once cooked, chop asparagus roughly and toss it with drained pasta in a large serving bowl.
  • Melt butter in a sauce pan and add garlic, sauteing until it is turning golden and fragrant. Remove from heat.
  • Whisk in wheat flour to form a roux, being careful to avoid any lumps. When it is perfectly smooth, add white wine, whisking to incorporate.
  • Return saute pan to the heat, allow alcohol to evaporate (should take about 30 seconds) and immediately whisk in heavy cream.
  • Continuing to whisk, add shredded Gouda and stir gently until it melts. Once melted, add remaining ingredients and bring to temp., or just until the sauce begins to bubble.
  • Pour sauce over pasta and asparagus. Toss and garnish with toasted walnuts, if desired.

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS AND BASIL



Penne with Asparagus and Basil image

Categories     Cheese     Pasta     Tomato     Sauté     Basil     Asparagus     Fall     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes about 4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
Pinch of dried crushed red pepper
1 pound asparagus, stalks cut into 1/2-inch lengths
4 tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 cup chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
1/4 cup thinly slices fresh basil
8 ounces penne pasta
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil

Steps:

  • Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and red pepper; sauté until garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add asparagus, tomatoes, stock and 1/4 cup sliced basil. Cook until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Transfer to large bowl.
  • Pour sauce over pasta. Add cheese, parsley and 1/4 cup chopped basil. Toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, seasonal ingredients. Asparagus and basil are at their best in the spring and summer. Look for bright green asparagus spears with tight tips and no blemishes. Basil leaves should be deep green and fragrant.
  • Don't overcook the asparagus. Asparagus should be cooked until it is tender-crisp, not mushy. Cook it for about 3-4 minutes in boiling water or until it is bright green and tender when pierced with a fork.
  • Use a good quality ham. A good quality ham will add a lot of flavor to the dish. Look for a ham that is not too salty or processed.
  • Freshly grate the Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese has a much better flavor than pre-grated cheese.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. This recipe is a great starting point, but you can easily customize it to your liking. Try adding other vegetables, such as peas or broccoli, or using a different type of cheese.

Conclusion:

This penne with asparagus, ham, and basil is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover ham. The combination of tender asparagus, salty ham, and fresh basil is simply irresistible. Plus, this dish is Weight Watchers friendly, so you can enjoy it without guilt.

Related Topics