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Wednesday needs this Spicy Pesto, Asparagus, and Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto.

Spicy Pesto, Asparagus, and Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto | halfbakedharvest.com #pasta #recipes #quick

But then, I do believe that everyone needs a bowl of pasta at least once a week, just to keep your sanity. I’m one of those people who truly believes in carbs, which I’m sure you guys already knew by the amount of pizza, pasta, and rice recipes here on HBH. Yes, I do love my carbs, cheese and greens.

They’re actually my favorite combo.

OK. It’s been a minute since we chatted all things pasta (ahh it’s been like ten days, but whatever) and I have been dying to share this recipe with you guys all month long. I am really, really into super fast, use what you have on hand, recipes at the moment. Think pantry staple recipes with a touch of freshness from whatever greens are currently in your fridge. It’s weird, I go through phases of wanting to spend hours and hours in the kitchen working on more complicated recipes, but then I also have phases when I just really don’t feel like being in the kitchen long at all.

Right now, all I want are fast and easy recipes. I think this is partly because I know this is what you guys need and want. But it’s also because I just have a lot going on with work, and therefore, a lot more things to be working on. So quick recipes it is!

All is good though, because I love a good challenge and I’m having fun getting creative to keep these quicker, easier recipes colorful and tasting delicious.

And that is where this pasta came into play.

Spicy Pesto, Asparagus, and Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto | halfbakedharvest.com #pasta #recipes #quick

Not going to deny that the first version of this pasta was just plain boring. So boring. I hated it and there was no way I was going to post it. Sure, it tasted fine, but I have high standards, and well, fine doesn’t cut it for me.

Quick note, I hate the word fine. My mom knows that telling me something is fine will mean it gets the axe! When someone says something is fine, that’s no bueno in my mind. Also, I do love the word no bueno. I use it often.

Spicy Pesto, Asparagus, and Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto | halfbakedharvest.com #pasta #recipes #quick

Spicy Pesto, Asparagus, and Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto | halfbakedharvest.com #pasta #recipes #quick

And moving right along.

So I went back to the drawing board, also known as my notebook, pondered a few things, reworked the recipe, and came out with this delicious bowl that’s packed with flavor, but still uses a very minimal ingredient list.

All you need for this pasta is some basil pesto (this is my favorite homemade pesto, bonus that it’s also loaded with kale), some jalapeño, asparagus, lots of lemon, lots of ricotta, and prosciutto. Nothing too fancy, but put it all together and you have something pretty delicious.

My trick to keep this quick cooking? Cooking the asparagus with the pasta. Adding the asparagus to the boiling pasta water, saves you not only time, but also leaves you with one less dirty dish to clean. Yes, please!

Once you have your pasta and asparagus cooked, it’s just a matter of tossing it all together and finishing the bowls off with crispy prosciutto, which in my opinion just makes everything better.

Spicy Pesto, Asparagus, and Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto | halfbakedharvest.com #pasta #recipes #quick

What also makes everything better?

A bowl of this pasta and rewatching The Parent Trap (the one with Lindsey Lohan) with the best little sister by my side.

Oh, and after the pasta, grabbing a couple Oreo’s…and a jar of peanut butter.

Wait, what?

Let me explain. Asher watched the Parent Trap for the first time over the weekend and she learned about dipping Oreos in peanut butter. YES. You guys know this scene, right? It’s my favorite, and if I was a kid and didn’t have a clue that Oreos are maybe not the best choice for a snack, I’d probably still be dipping them right into my peanut butter. The best.

Can I go back to being nine years old now, please?

Serious Question: did you (or do you?) dip your Oreos in peanut butter?

OK. And with that little story I am ending my rambles. Let’s do Wednesday night pasta with all the greens. YUM.

Spicy Pesto, Asparagus, and Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto | halfbakedharvest.com #pasta #recipes #quick

Spicy Pesto, Asparagus, and Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories Per Serving: 349 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. Arrange the prosciutto in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake 8-10 minutes or until crisp. 
    3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and boil the pasta to al dente according to package directions. During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, add the asparagus to the water. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain.
    4. Toss the hot pasta and asparagus with the pesto, jalapeño, ricotta, lemon zest, juice, and enough of the pasta cooking water to create a sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper. 
    5. Divide the pasta among plates. Serve topped with crispy prosciutto, chives and parmesan. Enjoy! 
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Spicy Pesto, Asparagus, and Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto | halfbakedharvest.com #pasta #recipes #quick

And for real, the greens make this pasta healthy food. It’s true.

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Comments

  1. 4 stars
    I made this recipe today for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed it. I cut the recipe in half as it’s just me but more for tomorrow! Thank you for this easy yet refined and yummy recipe.

    1. Hey Liz,
      Love it!!🍪🍦 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and sharing your review!! xx

  2. 5 stars
    This is a great clean out the fridge recipe. I subbed a little crushed red pepper for the jalapeño and it worked fine.

    1. Hey Anne,
      Awesome!! Thanks so much for your comment and making this recipe. So glad it hear it was enjoyed! xTieghan

    1. Hi Melanie,
      So sorry, I don’t have a link, I found the plate at a vintage shop. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

  3. 4 stars
    This was good! My husband doesn’t even like jalapenos or lemon and said this had incredible balance!

    Glad we tried it!

    1. Hey Kera,
      Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xTieghan

  4. 5 stars
    We loved this! Once again, I already had everything in my pantry as I’d made your grilled peach and balsamic chicken salad at the weekend. I used the rest of the burrata in the pasta instead of ricotta and added some of the leftover chicken, as my husband feels any meal without meat is a waste of time. 🙂

  5. Just made it and added some Sous vide plain boneless chicken to stretch it for leftovers.
    Also added two shallots in olive oil with the jalapeños instead of chives. Definitely think I could up the lemon juice next time to balance out the pesto and make it taste a little more springtime fresh!!

    My favorite pasta to use for more of your dishes is Colavita brand long fusilli! It is perfect texture abs holds the flavors.

    1. Hey Janelle,
      I am absolutely delighted that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for making it! Have the best week☀️ xTieghan

  6. 5 stars
    Well as usual you knocked it out of the park.
    We love this recipe! I did change it up a bit and used 1/2 cup fresh basil to 1/2 cup garden pesto. I added 1 cup fresh peas and 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts and some chopped parsley. We always can count on you for a delicious dinner.

    1. Hey Christine,
      I am absolutely delighted that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for making it! Have the best week☀️ xTieghan

    1. Hey Angie,
      Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a go, I am so delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan

  7. Looks amazing! How do you think I should adjust the recipe if I want to cut the asparagus into ribbons? Also what would be the best pasta to use?

    1. Hi Madeline,
      I would keep everything the same and I like to use a long cut pasta. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

  8. 5 stars
    I only started following your blog recently and dug through the archives to see if your recipes were something I would make regularly. Every recipe I’ve tried has been wonderful, including this one ( the Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad with Mushrooms and Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette is also a big time favorite). Thank you so much for sharing!

  9. Wow. This was exactly what I have been trying to look for in my searches for “perfect spring dinners.” I love cooking seasonally, and this was so very flavorful and felt so much fancier than the time requirement would indicate. I highly recommend trying this!!

  10. 5 stars
    This is sooo delicious. I love your dishes. I love your photography – I can tell it’s a HBH recipe right away and then I want to try it. I wouldn’t change a thing (and I change things a lot)