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Caramelized Leek and Mushroom Gruyere Pasta Recipe

Caramelized Leek and Mushroom Gruyere Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 20 reviews

A creamy and comforting Caramelized Leek and Mushroom Gruyere Pasta featuring tender pasta tossed in a rich sauce of caramelized leeks, sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and melted Gruyere cheese. This elegant yet simple dish offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, elevated with fresh thyme and a hint of lemon juice.

Ingredients

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For the Pasta

  • 12 oz pasta (tagliatelle, fettuccine, or penne)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 large leeks, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms (cremini, button, or shiitake)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. Caramelize the Leeks: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced leeks and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10–12 minutes until the leeks are soft and golden brown.
  3. Sauté the Mushrooms & Garlic: Add the sliced mushrooms and butter to the skillet with the leeks. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the mushrooms turn golden and tender. Stir in the minced garlic and chopped thyme, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Make the Sauce: Pour in the broth, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet, and let it simmer for one minute. Add the heavy cream and stir well. Reduce the heat to low to keep the sauce warm.
  5. Melt the Cheese: Stir in the shredded Gruyere cheese and allow it to melt fully into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it. Season with salt, black pepper, and lemon juice to taste.
  6. Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to coat the noodles evenly with the creamy leek and mushroom sauce.
  7. Serve & Enjoy: Plate the pasta and garnish with extra Gruyere cheese, fresh thyme, and a crack of black pepper. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Any pasta shape works, but tagliatelle or fettuccine hold the sauce particularly well.
  • For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Gruyere cheese melts smoothly; other Swiss cheeses can be used if unavailable.
  • Reserve pasta water is useful to adjust sauce consistency to your preference.
  • Fresh thyme can be substituted with rosemary or sage for a different herbal note.
  • Make sure to caramelize the leeks slowly for the best natural sweetness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caramelized Leek Pasta, Mushroom Gruyere Pasta, Creamy Gruyere Pasta, Vegetarian Pasta Recipe, Comfort Food Pasta

Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/caramelized-leek-and-mushroom-gruyere-pasta-recipe/