Pasta Alla Principessa

{This is a recipe that Chris and I both got in our Foods class in High School!!! I remember liking in then...and it has become a family favorite since! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!}

INGREDIENTS:
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Tablespoon Minced Onion
8 oz Sliced Mushrooms
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Salt
1/2 Lb Ham, Cut into Thin Strips
1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley, Chopped
{If you don't have fresh...Dried works just as well!}
1 Lb Penne or Mostaccioli Pasta
1/2 Pint Whipping Cream
1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese




DIRECTIONS:
Melt butter in a skillet on medium heat.
Add onion and saute until soft and white.
Add mushrooms and garlic salt. When mushrooms are done, stir in the ham and parsley. Remove the skillet from the stove.
Cook the pasta {while mushrooms are sauteing} and drain completely.
Return the pasta to its pot on medium-high heat.
Pour the cream over the pasta.
Stir the pasta until the cream begins to bubble.
Add 3/4 cup of the cheese, blend well and remove the pot from the heat.
Stir in the ham mixture, holding some back for topping.
Put the pasta in a serving dish, scraping cream from the sides of the pan {you won't want to lose any}.
Sprinkle the pasta with remaining cheese and arrange the ham topping in the center.
Garnish the pasta with parsley.