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OPTIONAL ADD-INS: fresh diced tomato, cooked chicken, cooked diced or crumbled bacon, asparagus, zucchini, cooked shrimp, onion, etc.
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1.
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Salt some water, bring it to a boil, and cook the pasta until its a little under al dente use the package instructions for al dente (it will finish cooking in the sauce).
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2.
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Reserve some pasta water before draining the pasta, and set the cooked pasta aside.
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3.
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Cut the ham into matchstick-sized slices.
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4.
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Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat.
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If you want to add any alternate raw veggies or components (zucchini, onion, asparagus, shrimp, etc.)
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now is the time!
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Cook them in the butter until theyre to your satisfaction, seasoning with salt and pepper as they cook.
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5.
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If youre not adding anything extra, simply add the mascarpone, ham, milk, some salt and some pepper to the melted butter.
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Go generous with the pepper!
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It really brings the dish to life.
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Cook over medium heat, stirring until the mascarpone is melted.
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6.
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Add 2 Tablespoons of the fresh Parmesan.
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7.
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Add the pasta to the sauce, along with 3 more Tablespoons of Parmesan, and the frozen peas and any other cooked ingredients you feel like tossing in (cooked shredded chicken breast, bacon, etc.).
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Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until everything is heated through.
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8.
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If the sauce seems a little thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to taste, until it loosens up to your liking.
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Taste the pasta and re-season to your liking.
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9.
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Serve, and finish off with generous amounts of the extra Parmesan.
