Creamy pasta with green onions, mushrooms and ham (very light)

A springy idea for creamy pasta with greens and a little ham and very much on the light side of meals ;). We really, really loved these. You will too because you'll make them very soon. If you know what's good for ya' (promising, not threatening tone :P).
Adapted from here.



Ingredients (serves 4):

• 3 big bunches of green onions
• 300 g fresh champignon mushrooms
• 300 g linguine (spaghetti will also do)
• 3 garlic cloves
• 175 g light cream cheese (we used Philadelphia light)
• 200 g light, boiled ham
• handful of basil
• salt and pepper
• a pinch of dried and ground lemongrass (not a must, but it matches the other flavors wonderfully)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Wash and finely chop the green onions (except a few pieces reserved for decorating) and add them to the pan:

Also add the chopped garlic cloves and all the seasoning. Fry them around for a bit (3-4 minutes). Meanwhile, clean the mushrooms:

Cut them into smaller pieces and add them too to the pan.

Leave for another 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, boil the linguine:

Pour the whole contents of the pan into a large serving bowl. Add the cream cheese and stir until saucy (with 1-2 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water, if needed). Then, add the chopped ham:

Also add the drained pasta and mix very well. Also add the basil leaves, torn with your fingers (except 1-2 reserved for decorating):

Mix well. Decorate with remaining leaves and dig in! :)