A creamy pasta dish is total comfort food and this one couldn't be easier. Just 5 ingredients go in to making this creamy leek sauce, which goes perfect on top of pasta, or even mashed potatoes. Creamy Leek Pasta is a great way to make use of the, in my opinion, underused leek, and something a little bit different for pasta night.
I love leeks, and I always forget how much I love them. I don't think they get enough love in the recipe website world, and we are trying to change them. Using them in a pasta sauce is such a simple way to include them more in your diet.
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Why should you try it?
- Just 5 ingredients
- Can be used on pasta, potatoes, steak or salmon
- A new way to use leeks
Step by step
One: Put the pasta in a pan of boiling water and cook for 12 minutes.
Two: Put some oil it a pan and add the leeks. Gently cook on a very low heat for 5-7 minutes, until softened.
Three: Add the garlic, mustard, creme friache and cheese to the pan.
Four: Stir well and cook on a very low heat for a further minute.
Five: Drain the pasta and stir in to the sauce.
Creamy sauce
I mean, the recipe is really all about the sauce. And what a sauce it is! Low and slow cooked leeks mixed with plenty of garlic, mustard, creme friache and cheddar. It's creamy, has a bit of a punch from the mustard and plenty of kick from the garlic. It really is everything you could want from a creamy sauce.
We have used reduced fat creme fraiche, however you could use full fat, or even cream if you wanted to. We also used a reduce fat cheddar, but you could swap the cheddar for mozzarella or Parmesan, or even a mixture of them.
How to prepare leeks
It's really easy to prepare and cut up a leek, so don't be put off doing it. Simply chop off the root end, and most of the green stem (these can be kept to make stock with).
Cut the leek in half lengthways, and then each in half again until you have 4 long quarters. Slice them all up and then rinse them in water to make sure you have all the dirt off. Drain them and pat dry to get the excess water off.
Ways to adapt it
We love a recipe that you can adapt, and this one is exactly that. You could add some chopped mushrooms (a mixture of types) to the leeks for extra flavour and texture. You could even add some small diced chicken breast, but note that cooking times would vary.
We added a sprinkling of parsley at the end, however fresh chives or dill would work too. You could even add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes for some heat.
Serving suggestions
We went with linguine, as it's a classic, and the creamy leek sauce clings really well to it. But, you could use any of your favourite pasta shapes.
You don't have to serve this with pasta, it is equally delicious spooned over some homemade mashed potato. We have also used it as a topped for steak and grilled chicken breast, and I might try it on grilled salmon next too. So many options!
FAQs
Whilst I would always recommend cooking from fresh, especially when it is as quick and easy as this dish, if you have made too much and want to reheat it the next day, then you can.
Put it in a pan on a very low heat and heat through until piping hot. You might want to add a tiny bit of water to loosen it a little.
Extra tips
- Add some extra flavour and texture by putting some mushrooms in the pan with the leeks.
- You can use a mixture of cheeses like cheddar, parmesan and mozzarella.
- Don't throw away the parts of the leek that you cut up - these can be used to make stock.
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Recipe
Creamy Leek Pasta
Ingredients
- 140 g linguine
- 2 large leeks thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 50 g mature reduced fat cheddar
- 150 ml reduced fat creme friache
Instructions
- Put the pasta in a pan of boiling water and cook for 12 minutes.
- Put some oil it a pan and add the leeks. Gently cook on a very low heat for 5-7 minutes, until softened.
- Add the garlic, mustard, creme friache and cheese to the pan and stir well.
- Cook on a very low heat for a further minute.
- Drain the pasta and stir in to the sauce.
Notes
- Add some extra flavour and texture by putting some mushrooms in the pan with the leeks.
- You can use a mixture of cheeses like cheddar, parmesan and mozzarella.
- Don't throw away the parts of the leek that you cut up - these can be used to make stock.
Nick
This is seriously tasty and so easy. It just so happened that I had some leeks and the right amount of creme friache to use up. I used tagliatelle and added mushrooms as suggested because I love mushrooms! This recipe is very similar to one that make with asparagus.
Dannii
So glad you enjoyed it :)
Jen
I decided to take your advice and add mushrooms and chicken and it was delicious! My entire family cleaned thier plates at dinner.
Danielle
Creamy and delicious - just the way a good pasta recipe should be. Excited to get everything I need for this recipe and give it a go!
Emmeline
I never thought to make a leek pasta sauce - I just use leeks as an ingredient in a regular pastas sauce. But my, what a great idea!! Especially paired with cheddar ;)