Food & Recipes
A Recipe for a Different Kind of Carbonara
A Different Carbonara – Creamy Pappardelle with Leeks & Bacon
The author of this rWhen I’m looking at new pasta recipes (a favorite carb), I always stop at ones that include bacon. I love bacon – not a secret among my friends! This is a little different because leeks are added to provide sweetness to offset the salt of the bacon. It’s a very simple dish to make for a great impromptu get-together with friends.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 medium leeks, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced crosswise
- Kosher salt
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 pound pappardelle or fettuccine
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan or Grana Padano
Instructions
- Heat oil and butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat.
- Add bacon and cook, stirring often, until fat is rendered and bacon is crisp, 5-8 minutes.
- Add leeks and season with salt.
- Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often, until leeks begin to brown, 5-8 minutes.
- Add cream, thyme, and 1/2 cup water.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 5-8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 2 cups pasta cooking liquid.
- Add pasta, Parmesan, and 1 cup pasta cooking liquid to sauce and stir to coat. Increase heat to medium and continue stirring, adding more cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta.
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