Comfort Food Duo: Chicken, Ham and Turnips in Creamy Pasta

This pasta dish brings together two cold weather comfort food favorites - chicken and ham with turnips. Diced chicken and ham are sautéed with fresh turnips then simmered in a creamy cheese sauce made right in the pan. Tossed with pasta and sprinkled with parsley, it's easy one-pot cooking at its finest. The combo of savory meats, sweet turnips and cheesy sauce makes this dish perfectly hearty and satisfying. Let's break it down step-by-step!

Choose Ingredients Wisely

Look for thick cut boneless skinless chicken breasts, good quality cubed ham, small white turnips, pasta shapes like penne, heavy cream or half-and-half, and shredded cheese like Gruyere or Gouda for the sauce.

Premium In, Premium Out

Splurge on high quality chicken, ham and cheese here. It makes a difference in flavor.

Sauté the Chicken and Ham

Dice the chicken and ham. Sauté in olive oil over medium heat until chicken is cooked through and ham is lightly browned. Generously season with salt, pepper and herbs.

Build a Flavor Base

Browning the chicken and ham creates fond in the pan for big flavor development.

Add Diced Turnips

Once chicken and ham are browned, stir in peeled and diced turnips. Cook briefly until they begin softening but still have some crunch left.

Leave Some Bite

Be careful not to overcook the turnips. You want them tender but not mushy.

Make an Easy Cream Sauce

Add garlic, cream or half-and-half, chicken broth and shredded cheese to the pan. Simmer until thickened and creamy. The sauce pulls it all together.

Flavorful Fond

The fond left in the pan gives the sauce incredible savory depth.

Toss with Cooked Pasta

Add your pasta of choice to the pan and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. Sprinkle with more shredded cheese and chopped parsley.

Pastabilities!

Penne, rotini, farfalle...use whatever fun pasta shape you prefer.

Top Tips for Success

- Choose premium ingredients

- Brown meats first for flavor

- Leave some crunch in turnips

- Use heavy cream or half-and-half

- Toss pasta in sauce to coat

FAQs

Can I use turkey instead of chicken?

Absolutely, turkey breast or thigh meat works great.

Do I need to precook the pasta?

Yes, cooking the pasta separately results in best texture.

Can I use jarred Alfredo sauce?

Certainly, just look for a high quality sauce with real cheese.

How long will leftovers last?

Store covered in fridge up to 4 days. Reheat gently.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes! Make completely then reheat when ready to serve.

In Summary

This chicken, ham and turnip pasta combines comfort flavors into one hearty and delicious meal the whole family will love. The richness of the meats and creaminess of the cheese sauce pair perfectly with the sweet turnips and pasta. Enjoy!