Pasta with Bacon and Leeks

 In

Pasta with Bacon and Leeks

Yields1 Serving
 Kosher salt
  12 ounces mezzi rigatoni (or other short pasta)
  4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  1 bunch leeks (white and light green parts only), halved lengthwise, thinly sliced and rinsed well
  Freshly ground pepper
  3/4 cup heavy cream
  1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  Chopped fresh parsley, for topping
1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water; drain the pasta.

2

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the drippings from the skillet.

3

Add the leeks to the drippings in the skillet. Season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the heavy cream and cook until it begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.

4

Add the pasta to the skillet along with the parmesan, half of the bacon and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat, adding enough of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen. To serve, top with the remaining bacon, more parmesan and parsley.

Ingredients

 Kosher salt
  12 ounces mezzi rigatoni (or other short pasta)
  4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  1 bunch leeks (white and light green parts only), halved lengthwise, thinly sliced and rinsed well
  Freshly ground pepper
  3/4 cup heavy cream
  1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  Chopped fresh parsley, for topping

Directions

1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water; drain the pasta.

2

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the drippings from the skillet.

3

Add the leeks to the drippings in the skillet. Season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the heavy cream and cook until it begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.

4

Add the pasta to the skillet along with the parmesan, half of the bacon and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat, adding enough of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen. To serve, top with the remaining bacon, more parmesan and parsley.

Pasta with Bacon and Leeks