Description
A rich and comforting Caramelized Leek and Mushroom Gruyere Pasta featuring tender fettuccine tossed in a creamy Gruyere cheese sauce with caramelized leeks, sautéed mushrooms, and a hint of garlic. This easy stovetop recipe balances savory and creamy flavors with a fresh parsley garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (such as fettuccine or linguine)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 medium leeks (white and light green parts only), thinly sliced
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Dairy
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white cooking broth (or vegetable stock)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
Seasonings
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Caramelize the Leeks: Add the sliced leeks to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and golden brown.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: Stir in the sliced mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes until tender and browned.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the white cooking broth and stir, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream, reduce heat to low, and simmer the mixture for 3-4 minutes until it begins to thicken.
- Incorporate Gruyere: Gradually add the shredded Gruyere cheese, stirring continuously until it completely melts into the sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Mix with Pasta: Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach your preferred sauce consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta before serving. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Be sure to use only the white and light green parts of the leeks to avoid any toughness.
- Reserving some pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency and helps the sauce cling to the noodles better.
- Gruyere cheese melts smoothly and adds a nutty flavor, but you can substitute with Emmental or Swiss cheese if needed.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure your cooking broth or stock is vegetable-based rather than chicken broth.
- To intensify the mushroom flavor, you can use a mix of cremini and shiitake mushrooms.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Keywords: Caramelized Leek, Mushroom Pasta, Gruyere Pasta, Creamy Pasta, Vegetarian Pasta, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner
