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Effortless Elegance: Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach and Ham – Your Ultimate Leftover Ham Recipe

As the festive holiday season fades, many of us find ourselves with a delightful, yet sometimes daunting, challenge: what to do with all that leftover ham? The grand Easter or Christmas feast, meticulously planned and executed, often leaves behind a treasure trove of succulent ham, eagerly awaiting its next culinary adventure. While a classic ham sandwich on a soft, buttery roll is undeniably a simple pleasure, the true magic of holiday leftovers lies in transforming them into entirely new, equally delicious meals.

For those moments when the thought of elaborate cooking after a big holiday feels like an insurmountable task, an easy and quick dinner solution is a true lifesaver. This Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach and Ham recipe is precisely that – a culinary embrace for your post-holiday exhaustion. Imagine: a gourmet-tasting dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes, requires minimal effort, and uses simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. It’s the perfect antidote to kitchen fatigue, offering comfort and flavor without the fuss.

Beyond the Sandwich: The Irresistible Charm of Leftover Ham Recipes

Ham is one of those special ingredients that elevates any meal. Reserved often for grand celebrations like Easter and Christmas, its rich, savory notes are something many of us crave throughout the year. But why limit its enjoyment to just the main event or a quick sandwich? Leftover ham holds incredible potential for a myriad of dishes, transforming everyday meals into something extraordinary. From hearty casseroles to savory quiches, the possibilities are endless.

This Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach and Ham recipe brilliantly showcases the versatility of leftover ham. Instead of merely reheating it, we give it a starring role in a fresh, vibrant pasta dish that feels both comforting and surprisingly elegant. The cubed ham adds a wonderful salty depth and texture that perfectly complements the creamy tortellini and tender spinach. It’s a smart way to minimize food waste while maximizing flavor, proving that leftovers can indeed be more exciting than their original form.

The Magic is in the Brown Butter: Unlocking Rich Flavors

At the heart of this incredibly simple yet profoundly flavorful dish is brown butter, or beurre noisette. If you haven’t experienced the magic of brown butter before, prepare for a revelation. This technique involves gently melting butter and cooking it just past its golden stage until the milk solids toast and turn a beautiful amber color, releasing a captivating, nutty aroma and a complex, caramelized flavor. It’s a simple step that transforms ordinary butter into a sophisticated sauce base, adding incredible depth to this Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach and Ham.

The nutty notes of the brown butter perfectly marry with the savory ham and the earthy freshness of the spinach. This subtle yet significant flavor enhancement makes the dish taste far more elaborate than its actual preparation time suggests. It’s the secret ingredient that elevates this easy ham leftover recipe from a weeknight meal to a truly memorable culinary experience, proving that sometimes, the simplest techniques yield the most profound flavors.

Versatility at its Best: Adapting Your Brown Butter Tortellini

Don’t fret if your holiday traditions don’t include ham, or if you simply don’t have any leftovers. This Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach and Ham recipe is incredibly versatile and adaptable to whatever you have on hand. A pre-cooked ham steak from your local grocery store works just as wonderfully, providing the same savory punch. Simply dice it and follow the recipe instructions.

For those who prefer other proteins, this dish is equally delicious with leftover cooked chicken, turkey, or even a can of drained chickpeas for a vegetarian option. The core combination of tortellini, brown butter, and spinach is robust enough to accommodate various additions, making it a truly flexible weeknight dinner solution. You can also experiment with different vegetables – sautéed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or even some diced zucchini could be fantastic additions, adding more color, texture, and nutritional value. The goal is a quick, family-friendly meal, and its adaptability ensures it can fit any pantry or preference.

Why This Quick Pasta Recipe is Your Next Go-To Dinner

In our busy lives, finding a delicious tortellini recipe that is both fast and satisfying is a treasure. This Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach and Ham ticks all the boxes:

Speedy Preparation: From pantry to plate in less than 30 minutes, it’s ideal for those hectic evenings when time is of the essence.
Minimal Ingredients: With a short list of accessible ingredients, you won’t need a special grocery run.
Family-Friendly: Pasta is almost universally loved, and the combination of savory ham and fresh spinach makes this dish a hit with both adults and children.
Economical: Effectively uses up leftover ham, preventing food waste and stretching your food budget.
Gourmet Taste, Simple Effort: The brown butter is a game-changer, adding a depth of flavor that belies the dish’s easy preparation.

This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s a smart strategy for delicious living, making the most of your holiday bounty and streamlining your weeknight cooking. It promises a comforting and flavorful experience without the usual time commitment, making it a perfect post-Easter meal solution or any night you crave a delicious tortellini recipe.

Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach and Ham

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4-6 servings

A great use for leftover ham, this easy dinner recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes. You can even substitute in leftover chicken, instead!

Ingredients

1 package (20 oz) frozen or refrigerated cheese tortellini
6 oz fresh baby spinach
1/2 pound cooked ham, cubed
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup butter
Pepper, to taste

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to package directions until al dente.
While the tortellini cooks, prepare your spinach. Place the fresh baby spinach in a large colander. When the tortellini is finished cooking, carefully drain it directly over the spinach. The hot water from the tortellini will gently wilt the spinach, making it tender and ready for the dish.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue to cook the butter, swirling the skillet occasionally, until it turns a deep, rich brown color and emits a nutty aroma. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to burn it!
Add the diced red bell pepper and cubed ham to the brown butter in the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, just enough to warm through the ham and slightly soften the bell pepper, enhancing their flavors.
Finally, add the drained tortellini and wilted spinach to the skillet with the ham and bell pepper. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly with the fragrant brown butter. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!

This recipe was adapted from Pampered Chef’s 29 Minutes to Dinner cookbook.

Tips for Mastering Brown Butter and Enhancing Your Meal

Making perfect brown butter is key to this dish’s success. Use a light-colored pan so you can easily monitor the butter’s color progression. Begin by melting the butter over medium heat. It will foam, then slowly turn golden, and finally a beautiful amber brown with a nutty smell. Remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches this stage to prevent burning. If it burns, it will taste bitter, so it’s better to err on the side of caution.

To further elevate this delicious tortellini recipe, consider a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving. The salty, sharp notes of the Parmesan will beautifully complement the richness of the brown butter and the savory ham. A dash of red pepper flakes can also be added during the sautéing of the bell pepper for a subtle kick, if you enjoy a little spice.

This meal is wonderfully complete on its own, but if you’re looking for a little something extra, a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette would provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta. A crusty baguette on the side is also perfect for soaking up any remaining brown butter sauce. This simple pasta dish is versatile enough to be a standalone star or part of a larger, relaxed family dinner.

Embrace the Ease and Flavor of This Simple Pasta Dish

In conclusion, this Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach and Ham recipe offers a fantastic way to transform your holiday ham leftovers into a completely new and exciting meal. It embodies the essence of smart, flavorful cooking: quick preparation, minimal ingredients, and maximum taste. The simple addition of nutty brown butter elevates this dish from ordinary to extraordinary, making it a perfect solution for a busy weeknight or a relaxed post-holiday dinner.

Whether you’re looking for an easy ham leftover recipe, a quick weeknight dinner, or a delicious tortellini recipe that the whole family will adore, this dish delivers. Its versatility, speed, and undeniable flavor make it a valuable addition to any home cook’s repertoire. So next time you have leftover ham, skip the usual sandwich and indulge in the comforting, rich flavors of this Brown Butter Tortellini. It’s a dish designed to delight, proving that culinary magic can happen in under 30 minutes with just a few simple steps.

We absolutely love seeing your creations! If you make this Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach and Ham, please share your experience. Tag us on Instagram @tasteandtell and hashtag it #tasteandtell. We can’t wait to see your delicious results!