Have you planned your Easter menu yet? If not, don’t worry — this is the perfect follow-up meal for the day after a holiday when you may have leftover ham. Leftover ham sandwiches are great, but save some ham for an easy dinner: brown butter tortellini with spinach and ham.
I love leftover ham because we only enjoy it on special occasions like Easter or Christmas. That means the leftovers taste extra-special to me. This recipe uses those holiday leftovers in a simple, satisfying dish that comes together quickly and still feels a little indulgent thanks to the brown butter.
This is an ideal “day after” meal when you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, uses straightforward ingredients, and is family friendly. You can also swap in leftover chicken or pick up a ham steak from the store if you don’t have holiday ham on hand. Versatile, fast, and delicious — it doesn’t get much better.
If you don’t celebrate Easter or didn’t have ham with your holiday meal, pick up a ham steak at the grocery store or use leftover chicken — this recipe is forgiving and easy to customize.
Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach and Ham
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
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to package directions.
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Place the spinach in a large colander. When the tortellini is done, drain it over the spinach so the leaves wilt slightly from the hot pasta.
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Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Continue cooking and swirling the pan until the butter turns a deep brown and develops a nutty aroma, about 5–7 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
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Add the diced red bell pepper and cubed ham to the browned butter and cook for 1–2 minutes to warm the ingredients and slightly soften the pepper.
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Add the drained tortellini and the wilted spinach to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything in the brown butter. Season with freshly ground pepper to taste and serve immediately.
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Recipe adapted from Pampered Chef’s 29 Minutes to Dinner.