Looking for Something Fast and Restaurant Worthy?

I am always on the look out for a new recipe to try, but only once in a blue moon do I stumble upon one that is a true keeper.   One for me was the Tuna with Cipollini onions that I shared with you recently.  The other is the one I'm going to post to you now!  "Pasta with Bacon and Leeks".  The Pioneer Woman published this recipe a couple of weeks ago.  I have never had leeks that I am aware of and certain I have never cooked with them, but for some reason it just sounded delicious!  So this is my go at this recipe!

I've made a few changes, the biggest being that I used bacon instead of Pancetta.  I wasn't even going to bother to buy that because I know it's not a regular staple in my house and I like to make meals with things I generally have on hand.

Anyway, I made the dish last night.  It took all of 15/20 minutes to prepare.  It was AMAZING!  Not rich at all so I was able to eat enough to actually be full.  Often times when I eat pasta with cream sauces, I just can't handle the richness of them and I think it's due to the fact that I usually use butter.  I left the butter out of this recipe.  You don't need it, you really don't!  I also only used one leek.  My leek seemed humongous to me and I also wasn't certain Jack would like this.

After all was said and done, there was nothing but "Yummms and OMG's"  for dinner conversation!   This was truly as good as anything I've ever had in a restaurant and would be perfect for company as well!   For more detailed photos you can always hop over to Ree's website and take a look at her photo's and recipe for this dish.   She has a WAY better camera than I do and her pictures always rock!  (not to mention, she will have you laughing out loud!)

Gather your ingredients.....I used Penne because it's what I had.

Chop your leeks and bacon, being sure to slice the leeks thin.

Cook the bacon until it starts to brown and then add the sliced leeks and cook for 8 minutes.

Pour in the wine and cook an additional 1-2 minutes or until reduced.

Reduce the heat to low and pour in the cream.

This will thicken as it simmers a bit.

Salt and Pepper to taste and stir in the Parmesan shavings.  Toss in the pasta!

Shave some Parmesan on the top and serve!

This dish comes together VERY fast!  I was unprepared for this fact, so much so that it ended up being the whole meal because I didn't have the time to throw the salad together!  The three of us put this whole recipe away. If we "had" had a salad and maybe some bread it would easily serve 4, maybe 5 depending on how big your male counterparts appetites are.  My Male is starving when he gets home and can really devour pasta!   

Recipe: Pasta with Bacon and Leeks

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Pasta, Cooked Al Dente


• Reserved Pasta Water, If Needed


• 3 ounces, chopped bacon


• 3 whole Leeks, Sliced Thin


• ½ cups Dry White Wine


• ½ cups Heavy Cream


• Salt And Freshly Ground Pepper, To Taste


• Parmesan Cheese, Shaved

Instructions

1. Cook pasta and set aside. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.


2. Saute chopped bacon until it starts to brown.


3. Add sliced leeks and cook for 8 minutes.


4. After 8 to 10 minutes, pour in wine, then cook an additional 1-2 minutes, until reduced.


5. Turn heat to low, then pour in cream.


6. Add salt and pepper to taste and stir in the Parmesan shavings.


7. Toss in pasta, adding a little pasta water to thin as needed. Serve with Parmesan shavings over the top

Quick Notes

I used only one large  leek. It was perfect. I also added a little more cream after I had mixed the pasta with the sauce, just because I couldn't help myself..:)

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