Bowtie Pasta With Ham (Kid-Friendly Lunch Box Idea)
22 min
|
easy
Recipe by Eunice
Introduction
Buttery bowtie pasta with salty diced ham and Parmesan is cozy, simple, and properly seasoned so those cute little noodles cling to every bit of flavor.
Perfect for a kid-friendly lunch box, it packs clean, stays tasty at room temp, and the cherry tomatoes on the side add a fresh juicy pop.
Ingredients (2 servings)
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Ingredients:
- 4 oz farfalle pasta (about 2 cups dry) farfalle pasta 4 oz
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter unsalted butter 1 oz
- ¾ cup cooked ham, diced cooked ham 3.57 oz
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese grated Parmesan cheese 0.36 oz
- ¼ tsp salt salt
- ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper black peppercorns (for freshly ground black pepper)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (for the lunch box side) cherry tomatoes 0.44 lb
How to Make Bowtie Pasta With Ham (Kid-Friendly Lunch Box Idea)
-
Boil and salt the water
Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil and salt it so it tastes pleasantly seasoned, about 1 tablespoon kosher salt for 2 quarts.
-
Cook the bowties
Add 4 oz dry bowtie pasta and cook until just al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes depending on brand.
Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water.
Drain well.
-
Build the buttery ham base
Return the empty pot to low heat and melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter.
Add 3/4 cup diced cooked ham and warm it for 30 to 60 seconds so it smells smoky and delicious.
-
Combine and make it glossy
Add the drained pasta to the pot with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
Pour in a splash of reserved pasta water and toss until the butter and cheese form a light, silky coating that clings to the bowties.
Use only as much water as needed for a shiny finish, usually 1 to 3 tablespoons.
-
Taste, cool, and pack
Taste and adjust salt carefully since ham and Parmesan bring their own saltiness.
Spread the pasta on a plate or sheet pan for 5 to 10 minutes to cool slightly so it does not steam in the lunch box.
Pack into a container once just warm or cool, and tuck in an ice pack if sending cold.
-
Add the tomato side
Keep 1 cup cherry tomatoes whole so they stay crisp and do not leak into the pasta.
Pack them in a separate compartment or small container.
Substitutions
- Swap ham with smoked turkey or chicken ham
- Smoked turkey or chicken ham gives the same meaty, familiar chew with a gentler, slightly sweeter flavor that many kids prefer, and it keeps the sauce clean and buttery.
- Swap Parmesan with mild cheddar or low-moisture mozzarella
- Finely grated mild cheddar or mozzarella melts smoothly into the butter for a creamier, less sharp sauce that reads as comfort food while still adding body.
- Use gluten-free bowties or small shells
- Gluten-free pasta works well here if cooked a touch shy of al dente, and small shells make bite-size scoops that are easy for little hands while catching buttery bits.
Tips
- Season pasta water like a pro
- Properly seasoned water means the pasta itself tastes good, so you need less salt later when the Parmesan and ham step in.
- Reserve pasta water for a silky finish
- A tablespoon or two of that starchy liquid helps the butter and cheese emulsify so the sauce hugs the bowties instead of pooling.
- Cool fast to avoid sweaty noodles
- Spread the finished pasta on a plate for a few minutes to drop the heat before packing, which prevents condensation and keeps the texture springy.
- Size matters for kid bites
- Dice the ham small, about pea to corn-kernel size, so every forkful lands a balanced bite without big salty chunks.
- Pack for food safety and texture
- If sending cold, use an ice pack and a well-sealed container; if sending warm, preheat a thermos with hot water for 5 minutes, then add hot pasta and seal.
- Prevent clumping
- If the pasta will sit a while, toss with 1 teaspoon olive oil after cooling so the bowties stay separate without diluting flavor.
- Optional gentle seasoning
- If your kid is into flavor, a pinch of garlic powder or sweet paprika disappears into the sauce and adds cozy depth without heat.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 564 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 25 | g |
| Total Fat | 26 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 54 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 8 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- How do I keep the pasta from drying out by lunchtime?
- Toss with a little extra butter and 1 to 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water while warm, cool briefly, then pack in a tight container; the emulsion stays moist.
- Can I make this the night before?
- Yes, cool completely, refrigerate, and in the morning loosen with a teaspoon of water or olive oil while packing so it tastes freshly made.
- My kid does not like black pepper flecks; what can I use?
- Use a pinch of finely ground white pepper for warmth without visible specks, or skip pepper and let the Parmesan bring the bite.
- How do I avoid soggy pasta in the lunch box?
- Cook to a firm al dente, toss with sauce immediately, and cool quickly on a plate before packing so carryover heat does not over-soften the bowties.
- Can I make this pork-free?
- Absolutely, use smoked turkey or chicken ham, which mimic the savory flavor and texture of ham while staying kid-friendly.
- Will gluten-free pasta work here?
- Yes, choose a sturdy corn or rice blend, cook 1 to 2 minutes less than the package suggests, and cool quickly to lock in texture.
Serving Suggestions
A handful of sweet peas or corn in the mix adds color and a gentle pop that kids love, while an extra sprinkle of Parmesan right before sealing locks in that cheesy aroma.
Pack with cucumber sticks and a few olives, or go classic with apple slices, and you have a lunch that comes home empty because it actually tastes good.
More pairings:
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