Creamy, rich, salty, savory, and packed full of pasta, what more could anyone want? I know that’s about it for me, I could just dive into a big bowl of this stuff and rest happy. The best part is it’ll be ready and on your table in just 30 minutes, packed full of flavor and so satisfying. This pasta is perfect for when you’re feeling like a home made big bowl of comfort, but want some interesting flavor and dimension to your dinner. Just because a recipe is quick and satisfying doesn’t mean it has to be one dimensional! This dish combines mild and perfectly softened leeks, crispy bacon, and perfectly al dente rigatoni, delish!
What’s The Deal With Leeks?
Leeks are wonderful, so good for you and packed full of a beautifully mild onion flavor. They are great in sauces like this creamy, rich sauce, studded with crispy salty bacon. If you’ve never played around with leeks in your kitchen before, then allow me to introduce you to your new favorite week night dinner. Truth be told, I’m a leek freak. I love making omelettes with it, add it to sauces, soups, you name it. This dish also is great for making ahead, just prepare the sauce whenever you’d like and store it in the fridge or freezer. I’ve included detailed instructions near the bottom of the page that details exactly how to do this. So let’s get into it!
Ingredients
Pasta – Rigatoni, ideally we want a shaped pasta with lots of nooks and crannies for our sauce to cling to. However, feel free to use whatever you have in your pantry. Bacon – We’re using lots of bacon today, none of that pre cooked crumbled up stuff please. Leeks – Thinly sliced to be perfectly softened when we saute it. Cream – I used heavy cream but if you’d like to cut the fat feel free to choose a fat reduced variety. Cheese – Parmesan freshly grated. Seasoning – Salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Bacon Leek Pasta
Can’t Find Any Leeks?
Leeks have a mild onion flavor. They can be substituted with green onions (scallions) or white onions.
What To Serve With
This rich, creamy dish pairs beautifully with light and simple sides like salads and roasted veggies. This bacon leek pasta is completely satisfying on its own so if you’d rather just curl up on the couch with a big old bowl, I won’t stop you.
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Can I Use Other Types Of Pasta?
This dish will work with many other types of pasta if you have some in the pantry you’d like to use up. The name just says pasta for a reason, it’s good with anything! I like to use a shaped pasta so that there’s lots of ridges for the sauce to cling to but if regular old spaghetti is what you have lying around, don’t be afraid to use that instead!
Leftovers
Fridge
You can store this dish in an air tight shallow container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. Just be sure to allow it to fully cool before placing it in the fridge.
Freezer
You can freeze this dish as well! Just hold off on adding the pasta till you’re ready to eat it. Freeze the sauce in a shallow airtight container once fully cooled. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before heating back up on the stove top and incorporating your pasta.
More Incredible Pasta Recipes To Try:
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Gnocchi Garlic and Parsley Butter Chicken with Gnocchi One Pot Chicken Florentine Gnocchi Chicken And Gnocchi Dumpling Soup One Skillet Ham And Cheese Gnocchi Pasta Alla Gricia Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus
