Creamy Spaghetti – Espagueti con crema

In Mexico, thin noodles from the Middle East (fideos) were brought by the Spaniards sometime during colonial times (1521-1821). Other pasta dishes, such as cheesy baked elbow pasta, or this creamy spaghetti, became known during the Second French Intervention under the short rule of Austrian Archduke Maximilian (1864-1867), and more broadly under the long presidency of Porfirio Díaz (1884-1911), who was not shy when favouring European architecture and cuisines, particularly Italian and French. 

Creamy Spaghetti – Espagueti con crema

Printable recipe: Creamy Spaghetti – Espagueti con crema

Ingredients (for two main portions or four sides)

½ lb (225 g) dry spaghetti pasta; cooked  in boiling water to taste, and drained
(makes approximately 4 cups after cooking)
1 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp butter
2 thick slices (approximately ½ lb- 225g) cooked ham; cubed
1 cup cream (Mexican cream, or sour cream will do for this recipe)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup grated cheese, such as Cotija or parmesan

Warm up oil and butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the cubed ham, stirring to coat with oils (photo below, left).  Cook until slightly crisped, then incorporate cooked spaghetti, mixing to coat as well (photo below, right): 

Reduce heat to low, then add cream (photo below, left). Stir to incorporate, then season with salt and pepper, to taste (photo below, right):

Continue cooking and stirring, until warm, then add half the grated cheese, and toss lightly:

Serve immediately, sprinkling with the rest of the cheese:

This creamy spaghetti is easy enough to prepare with kitchen staples all yearlong, but in Mexico, it still appears very popularly on Christmas menus, a banner of European influence, elevated to a fancy au gratin dish by adding some grated cheese such as Mexican Manchego or Chihuahua, melted under the broiler right before dinner time.

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I am bringing my recipe to Full Plate Thursday #756 with Miz Helen @ Miz Helen’s Country Cottage.

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I am sharing my post at Thursday Favourite Things #723, with Bev @ Eclectic Red Barn, Pam @ An Artful Mom, Katherine @ Katherine’s Corner, Amber @ Follow the Yellow Brick Home, and Linda @ Crafts a la Mode.

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I am joining Fiesta Friday # 602  with Angie @ Fiesta Friday, co-hosting this week with Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook.