Caramelized Leek and Mushroom Gruyere Pasta
A comforting and indulgent pasta dish featuring silky noodles, sweetly caramelized leeks, and earthy mushrooms in a rich cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Pasta Ingredients
- 8 ounces 8 ounces of your favorite pasta (linguine or fettuccine works great) Choose your preferred type of pasta.
- 1 cup 1 cup, shredded Gruyère cheese Can be substituted with a Halal-friendly cheese.
- 1 cup 1 cup heavy cream
Vegetable Ingredients
- 2 medium 2 medium leeks, thinly sliced Use the white and light green parts.
- 8 ounces 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (white button or cremini) Select your preferred mushroom type.
- 2 cloves 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons olive oil
- to taste Salt and pepper For seasoning.
- 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until it’s al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest. Set the pasta aside for later.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the sliced leeks and sauté them until they become tender and golden brown (about 10-15 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Toss the sliced mushrooms into the skillet with the leeks, followed by the minced garlic. Sauté until the mushrooms are soft and have released their moisture, probably around 5-7 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream. Once the mixture is warm, add in the Gruyère cheese, stirring until it melts and the sauce is smooth. If it’s too thick, use some of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet, tossing it until it’s thoroughly coated in the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Dish it out onto plates or into bowls, and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Enjoy your delicious pasta hot!
Notes
For best results, do not rush the caramelization process for the leeks as this develops significant flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of cream or reserved pasta water to regain creaminess.