Penne with Cajun Parmesan Cream Sauce

We had a ham dinner and ukelele concert fundraiser at church last night, and we got some of the left over ham. So I made this instant pot pasta dish, which doesn’t need ham, but is yummy with it. You can also you chicken. It is reminiscent of a dish I had at Hof’s Hut in Long Beach CA growing up.

Penne with Cajun Parmesan Cream Sauce

1 lb penne (or mini penne)
4.5 c water
1 12oz can evaporated milk
1/2 c half and half
1/4 c smoked paprika
1/2 t each garlic powder, dry thyme, and dry oregano
Cayenne/red pepper flakes/Old Bay/salt/pepper to taste
1/2 c Parmesan cheese
1 c diced ham or cooked chicken, optional

Put penne and water in instant pot. Putnon lid, set to seal, and set on manual for 0 minutes. When timer is up, let NPR for 15 min, then QPR remaining pressure and remove lid.

Pour in evaporated milk and stir pasta well. Let rest a couple minutes while adding spices, then stir well. Add half and half and Parmesan and stir, then add meat if using. Serve with parm sprinkled on top, and a little paprika/cayenne/Old Bay for color.