Description
A comforting yet sophisticated pasta dish featuring caramelized leeks, earthy mushrooms, and creamy Gruyere cheese. Perfect for cozy dinners or dinner parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (linguine or fettuccine)
- 2 large leeks, trimmed, halved, and sliced thinly (white and light green parts only)
- 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup white wine (optional)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp fresh thyme for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.
- Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced leeks and sauté for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized.
- Push the leeks to one side of the skillet and add the olive oil. Toss in the mushrooms and garlic, cooking for 5-7 minutes until browned and tender. Mix everything together.
- Optional: Pour in the white wine and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until reduced.
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and reserved pasta water. Sprinkle in the Gruyere cheese, stirring until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Plate the pasta and garnish with fresh thyme. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Caramelization takes time, so cook the leeks low and slow for the best flavor. Save pasta water to help bind the sauce. Gruyere alternatives include Swiss or Fontina cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate of pasta
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 15
Keywords: Caramelized leeks, Mushroom pasta, Gruyere cheese, Comfort food, Dinner recipe