Cheesy Crusted Caramelized Leek Recipe
This Cheesy Crusted Caramelised Leek recipe features tender, sweet leeks caramelised in butter and olive oil, topped with a luscious blend of cheddar and parmesan cheese baked to bubbly perfection and finished with a crisp golden crust. It’s a savory, versatile side dish or a flavorful topping for toast and savory tarts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Leeks and Seasonings
- 4 large leeks (white and light green parts only), sliced thinly
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Fats
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cheeses
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Optional
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position an oven-safe baking dish or cast-iron skillet on the middle rack to warm slightly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil. Add the sliced leeks along with salt, sugar, and black pepper, stirring to combine. Cook the leeks, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and golden brown, about 25–30 minutes, allowing natural sugars to caramelise.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: While the leeks cook, lightly grease your baking dish or cast-iron skillet with a little butter or oil to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the Dish: Transfer the caramelised leeks to the greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the grated cheddar and parmesan cheese over the top. Optionally, sprinkle fresh chopped thyme for added flavor.
- Cook to Perfection: Bake the leeks and cheese uncovered for 10–12 minutes until the cheese melts fully and starts bubbling around the edges.
- Finishing Touches: Switch your oven to broil and broil the dish for 2–3 minutes, carefully watching to create a golden brown and crisp cheesy crust without burning.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, then serve warm as a side dish, spread on toast, or incorporated into savory tarts.
Notes
- Be sure to slice only the white and light green parts of the leeks, as the dark green parts can be tough.
- Caramelising the leeks slowly over medium heat brings out their natural sweetness; don’t rush this step.
- If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can omit it or substitute with dried thyme (use about half the amount).
- Use a cast-iron skillet or an oven-safe baking dish to easily transition from stovetop to oven.
- Keep an eye on the dish during broiling to avoid burning the cheese crust.
Keywords: caramelised leeks, cheesy leek bake, roasted leeks with cheese, savory side dish, leek recipe
