Bacon and Leek Orecchiette

Directions

  1. 1Cut the leeks, shallots, garlic, thyme and bacon
  2. 2Add the bacon to a large pan and cook until crispy
  3. 3Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside
  4. 4Add leeks and shallot to the bacon fat
  5. 5Add a pinch of salt and pepper and stir, cooking for 4-5 minutes or until softened
  6. 6Add thyme and garlic and stir for 30 seconds-1 minute or until fragrant
  7. 7Deglaze the pan with white wine and scrape up all of the brown bits in the pan
  8. 8Add the butter, Dijon mustard, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and another pinch of pepper
  9. 9Stir and let the sauce get nice and bubbly
  10. 10Add in half of the reserved bacon
  11. 11Boil the pasta water and heavily salt the water
  12. 12Cook the pasta until al dente
  13. 13Transfer the pasta directly to the sauce and add a splash of pasta water
  14. 14Vigorously stir until everything comes together and the sauce coats the pasta
  15. 15Sprinkle over some of the leftover bacon and Parmesan cheese to serve

Ingredients

  • 1 lb orecchiette pasta
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 8 slices bacon cut into lardons
  • 2 large leeks thinly sliced
  • 1 large shallot thinly sliced
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 TBL fresh thyme leaves chopped
  • 0.33 cup dry white wine
  • 3 TBL butter
  • 1 TBL Dijon mustard
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

knifecutting boardlarge saute panDutch ovenslotted spoonpasta potcolander

Tips

  • Turn on heat to medium and cook bacon until crispy
  • Heavily salt pasta water and cook the pasta until al dente
  • Transfer the pasta directly to the sauce and add a splash of pasta water
  • Stir vigorously until everything comes together and the sauce coats the pasta
  • Sprinkle over some of the leftover bacon and Parmesan cheese to serve