Description
A comforting yet elegant pasta featuring sweet caramelized leeks, earthy mushrooms, and nutty Gruyère cheese, all enveloped in a velvety cream sauce and topped with toasted pine nuts.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 3 medium leeks, tops removed, cut in half and thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup sherry wine
- 8 ounces oyster mushrooms
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 sage leaves
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 lb fettuccine
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- ½ cup grated Gruyère
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan over medium heat. Add sliced leeks, salt, and sugar, and cook slowly until caramelized, about 20 minutes. Add water as needed to prevent sticking.
- Stir in sherry and reduce. Remove leeks and set aside.
- Add remaining tablespoon of butter to the same pan. Spread mushrooms evenly and cook until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add garlic and sage; sauté for 1 minute. Stir in the leeks, then add cream, balsamic vinegar, and lemon zest. Simmer until slightly thickened, 2–3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook fettuccine until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Add pasta, pasta water, Gruyère, and black pepper to the sauce. Toss to combine and melt cheese, about 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with toasted pine nuts.
Notes
- Use white wine or broth if sherry is unavailable.
- Red chili flakes can be added for spice.
- Try adding roasted chicken, bacon, or pancetta for more protein.
- Use any mushroom variety you like—cremini, chanterelle, or a mix work well.
- Reheat leftovers with a splash of cream to restore consistency.
- Best consumed within 3 days; avoid freezing due to cream separation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
