Name: Sweet & Savory Ham Spaghetti with Spiced Tomato Sauce
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 8 ounces spaghetti; 2 cups tomatoes (diced or crushed); 4 ounces ham (diced); 3 tablespoons butter; 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

Sweet & Savory Ham Spaghetti with Spiced Tomato Sauce

A delightful fusion dish combining Italian pasta with Korean-American flavors. Tender spaghetti is tossed with a quick spiced tomato sauce, crispy ham, and topped with a creamy yogurt drizzle. The sweet-spicy combination with hints of apple and chili creates an exciting flavor profile that's perfect for beginners.

25 min

Easy

4 servings

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Taste Profile

Sweet5/10

Salty6/10

Sour3/10

Umami6/10

Spicy2/10

🥄 Texture

Tender spaghetti with occasional slightly crispy, diced ham pieces and a chunky, saucy tomato coating. A cool, creamy spoonful of vanilla yogurt on top adds a smooth, velvety contrast to the warm pasta.

👃 Aroma

Warm tomato and butter notes dominate with a background of smoky, cured-ham aroma. Mild earthy spice from paprika and cumin is present, and a faint sweet/vanilla note from the yogurt will be noticeable when served.

🍷 Pairs Well With

A crisp, acidic white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, or a sparkling water with a lemon wedge to cut the richness and balance the sweet-savory flavors.

🥗 Side Dishes

A bright green salad with a tangy vinaigrette, or simply roasted/steamed vegetables (e.g., asparagus or broccoli). Crusty bread is also a good option to mop up the sauce.

Instructions

Boil a pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti according to package directions (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.

While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced ham and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly crispy.

Add the diced tomatoes to the pan with the ham. Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon chili pepper. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes.

Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan with the tomato sauce. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until well combined.

Divide the spaghetti into serving bowls and top each portion with a spoonful of vanilla yogurt. Serve immediately.