This slow cooker Amish basil ham pasta is the kind of comforting supper that feels almost effortless, which is exactly why it earns a regular spot in a busy family meal rotation. A meaty ham shank cooks low and slow with just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients, and the dried basil gives the dish a simple, homey flavor that pairs beautifully with tender pasta. It has that old-fashioned, practical feel of Amish-style cooking, where a few basic ingredients come together into something hearty and satisfying.
Serve this pasta with warm buttered bread or soft dinner rolls to catch any extra sauce, and add a simple green salad or steamed green beans on the side to balance the richness of the ham. If you want to stretch the meal for a bigger table, a dish of applesauce or roasted carrots fits nicely with the sweet-savory flavor of the basil and ham.
Slow Cooker 6-Ingredient Amish Basil Ham Pasta
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 smoked ham shank, about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 medium onion, sliced
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 ounces uncooked egg noodles or other pasta
1 cup heavy cream
Directions
1. Place the ham shank in the slow cooker. Scatter the sliced onion around it, then sprinkle the dried basil evenly over the top. Pour in the chicken broth.
2. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or until the ham is very tender and easy to pull from the bone.
3. Remove the ham shank carefully to a cutting board. Discard the bone and any excess fat, then shred or chop the meat into bite-size pieces.
4. Return the ham to the slow cooker. Stir in the uncooked noodles, cover, and cook on high for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
5. Stir in the heavy cream and cook for 5 more minutes, just until everything is hot and creamy. Taste and adjust with a little black pepper if you like, then serve warm.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters: If your family prefers a milder flavor, use a little less basil the first time and stir in the cream well so the sauce turns silky and gentle. You can also chop the ham extra small so every bite feels more like a creamy pasta dish and less like a big ham dinner.
Use a different pasta: Egg noodles give this dish a cozy texture, but small shells, rotini, or bow ties also work nicely. Just keep an eye on the cooking time at the end, since different pasta shapes soften at different speeds in the slow cooker.
Make it richer: For an even heartier supper, add 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan along with the cream. It gives the sauce a deeper savory flavor that goes especially well with the smoky ham.
Watch the salt: Ham shanks can vary a lot in saltiness, so it is best to use low-sodium broth and wait until the end before seasoning. A few turns of black pepper are often all this dish needs.
Save time on serving: If the ham is especially large, shred it a little ahead of dinnertime and return it to the broth to stay moist. That way, when it is time to add the noodles, the meal comes together quickly and you are not rushing at the counter.