Delicious and easy to make, this creamy leek pasta recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The dish is made with simple but flavorful ingredients, including green parts of the leek, garlic cloves, thinly sliced, olive oil, pasta sauce, and parmesan cheese.
Why I Love This Recipe
There’s no better way to use up our homemade egg noodles than with this homemade creamy leek pasta recipe. Not only does it come together quickly, but it pairs with whatever protein we may have leftover in the refrigerator.
Quick and easy weeknight dinners are a must when living this homesteading life, and this recipe is on repeat around here, especially when the leeks are coming in fresh from the garden.
How to Clean Leeks
Leeks are one of those vegetables that are pretty easy to grow. They store in the garden well (even into the colder months) and have a delicious flavor that’s like a hybrid of bulbing and green onions.
However, leeks can be tricky to clean. We recommend cleaning them the following way:
- Cut off the root end and then slit the stalk into quarters.
- Rince each quarter well. Quartering the leeks allows you to get any dirt from between the leek’s layers.
- Alternatively, you can just slice the leeks up into rounds and rinse once sliced. Be sure to allow the leeks to dry before sauteeing to ensure nice caramelization.
- Once the leeks are clean, slice them up, and this pasta dish will be ready in no time!
Creamy Leek Pasta Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 pound pasta (your choice of shape)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 large leeks, white and green parts, sliced and rinsed well
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ cups of heavy cream
- 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh or dried herbs for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook pasta until al dente.
- Heat 2 Tbsp butter in a large pan until melted. Add sliced leeks and saute over medium-low heat for 7-8 minutes, until the leeks soften.
- Remove leeks from the pan and set aside.
- Return pan to the heat and add remaining tablespoon of butter.
- When butter is melted, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant– 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly add heavy cream, then add Parmesan ½ cup at a time, whisking until the cheese melts.
- Once all cheese is incorporated, add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Stir sauce for 3 minutes over medium-low heat.
- Remove sauce from heat. Add cooked pasta to the cream sauce and toss to coat. Add cooked leeks to the pasta and stir to incorporate. Sprinkle with herbs and serve warm. Perfectly delicious topped with grilled chicken or baked fish.
Try different pasta shapes to find your favorite one for this dish. You can also add crushed red pepper for a spicy kick. For an even creamier sauce, reserve a cup of the pasta water before draining and add it to the sauce as needed. Give this creamy leek pasta recipe a try and enjoy the perfect balance of flavors and comfort.
What to Serve With Creamy Leek Pasta
When it comes to pasta, choosing the right shape can make a world of difference to your dish. For creamy leek pasta, I recommend using long, thin noodles such as spaghetti or linguine. These shapes help the sauce cling to the pasta strands, resulting in a more delicious and satisfying bite.
But choosing the right pasta shape is just the beginning. Properly cooking the pasta is equally important. To achieve the perfect al dente texture, cook the pasta in a pot of well-salted water according to the package instructions. And remember to reserve some of the pasta water before draining!
Another way to enhance the flavor of creamy leek pasta is to add a little bit of heat. Crushed red pepper is a great option – just sprinkle some on top of the finished dish. If you prefer less spice, you can simply omit this step.
But what about the creamy factor? To achieve a rich, velvety sauce, cook the leek and garlic over medium heat until soft and fragrant. Add the cream and let it simmer until the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. And don’t forget to add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen up the sauce and help it coat the noodles.
Conclusion
Overall, this creamy leek pasta dish is truly a delightful and comforting experience. As I mentioned earlier, it’s important to properly clean the leek to ensure maximum flavor. Additionally, achieving a creamy sauce consistency is crucial for this dish.
If you follow the recipe and techniques outlined in this article, you’re guaranteed to have a delicious and satisfying meal. This is definitely a dish you’ll want to add to your cooking arsenal for those nights when you crave something creamy and comforting.
So, get ready to indulge in this creamy pasta dish and enjoy the perfect balance of flavors and comfort in every bite!
FAQ
Yes, the green parts of the leek add a wonderful flavor to the creamy pasta dish. Simply make sure to thinly slice them for a more enjoyable texture.
It depends on your personal preference. Start with 2 cloves and adjust according to your taste. You can always add more if desired.
You can use any type of pasta sauce that you prefer. Tomato-based sauces or cream-based sauces both work well with the creamy leek pasta.
To clean the leek, first, remove the dark green parts. Then, slice the leek lengthwise and rinse thoroughly under cold water, making sure to remove any dirt or sand trapped between the layers.
Yes, it’s always best to follow the package instructions for cooking the pasta. This ensures that the pasta is cooked to the right consistency.
Adding crushed red pepper is optional, but it can add a nice kick of heat and flavor to the creamy leek pasta. Add it according to your taste preferences.
Absolutely! Reserve some pasta water before draining the cooked pasta. Adding a splash of pasta water to the sauce can help achieve a creamier consistency in the dish.
Parmesan cheese pairs beautifully with the creamy leek pasta. Its salty and nutty flavor complements the dish perfectly. However, if you prefer a different type of cheese, feel free to substitute it according to your taste.
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Creamy Leek Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta fresh or dried
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 4 large leeks sliced
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- salt & pepper to taste
- fresh or dried herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente.
- Heat 2 Tbsp butter in a large pan until melted. Add sliced leeks and saute over medium-low heat for 7-8 minutes, until the leeks soften.
- Remove leeks from the pan and set aside.
- Return pan to the heat and add remaining tablespoon of butter.
- When butter is melted, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant– 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly add heavy cream, then add Parmesan ½ cup at a time, whisking until the cheese melts.
- Once all cheese is incorporated, add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Stir sauce for 3 minutes over medium-low heat.
- Remove sauce from heat. Add cooked pasta to the cream sauce and toss to coat. Add cooked leeks to the pasta and stir to incorporate. Sprinkle with herbs and serve warm. Perfectly delicious topped with grilled chicken or baked fish.
Notes
- We love this recipe with our homemade egg noodles.
