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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. 5 stars
    Just tried this for dinner and it is FABULOUS! It was such a good combination of flavors and the prosciutto gave it the perfect crunch. Yummy!

  2. 5 stars
    I love, love, love the Spicy Pesto, Asparagus, and Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto! It is so delicious! It is a must try, especially if you like Ricotta Pasta 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    Made this tonight! So quick, easy and fresh. I have never made pesto before and it was so simple to make. Looking forward to leftovers at lunch tomorrow.

  4. Can’t wait to make this tonight with the fresh asparagus cut from my garden. If only I could grow prosciutto.

  5. 5 stars
    I made this & it was delicious! I made mine with Zucchini & Cucumber as the noodles & had less basil pesto than what was called for. Only thing I would change the next time I make this dish is to use less ricotta cheese. It completely took over the whole dish & it was too creamy. I like to taste more vegetables than sauce in most dishes. Just needs tweaking to fit what we like in our home, but wow what a great recipe! All vegetables & even my Fiance approved!!

  6. With asparagus on super-sale last week, I knew I needed to give this a try. So very easy; I had the pesto mix ready to go long before the water came to a boil. Wasn’t that spicy, but I may have had a mild jalapeno since their heat varies. I also had some extra fresh spinach that I stirred in to add some more green. Looking forward to this as leftovers this week.

  7. 5 stars
    Eating the leftovers for lunch now and I just HAD to comment! This recipe is so so good and ridiculously easy!! Once again HBH proves why it’s my go-to for new recipes

  8. 5 stars
    just finished making (and consuming) this! was sure super easy and quick to make. I must say I don’t think I’ve ever quite had anything with these flavors before, it was delicious. I got extra prosciutto to crisp up for tomorrow’s leftovers. just a note about the pesto: since I was on a time budget, I used store bought pesto. classico makes a small jar of it. I personally find that brand to taste very concentrated.. I only used slightly over a half cup of it and it felt like the right amount. anyway.. thank you yet again! hubby, my 2 year old and i are all full and satisfied!!! 🙂

    1. I am so glad you, your husband and your 2 year old loved this Kristen! Thank you so much! I hope you continue to enjoy other recipes as well!

  9. I can say there is nothing better than this. This super easy dish can delight my friends and family. I can bet the taste would be toothsome. Thanks for sharing ingredients.

  10. 5 stars
    I can say there is nothing better than this. This super easy dish can delight my friends and family. I can bet the taste would be toothsome. Thanks for sharing ingredients.

  11. 5 stars
    Wonderful! It’s snowing here in Midwest ? So unusual for us! This turned my mood downside up 🙂 Found lemon pappardelle pasta at Trader Joe’s, really made this dish pop!!! Thank you for sharing! I’ve been trying to cook well for years and ever since I made the French Scallops from your cookbook I’ve been making one recipe after another. Every one a success! My family is so grateful, too!!! Cheers!

  12. 5 stars
    WOW! This was absolutely delicious! I made this as an appetizer for Easter & it was so easy and perfect. I wish I had made it for the main course. The lemony flavor added the perfect touch and I topped it with toasted pine nuts.
    Eileen