Gruyere Pasta Recipe
This Gruyere Pasta features a creamy, flavorful sauce made with caramelized leeks, sautéed cremini mushrooms, and melted Gruyere cheese. Cooked pasta is tossed in a rich white cooking broth and heavy cream sauce, garnished with fresh parsley for a decadent yet comforting meal.
- Author: liam
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (such as fettuccine or linguine)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium leeks (white and light green parts only), thinly sliced
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dry white cooking broth (or vegetable stock)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Salt, to taste
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat to prepare for cooking the vegetables.
- Caramelize the Leeks: Add the thinly sliced leeks to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and develop a golden color.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: Stir in the sliced cremini mushrooms and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes until tender and lightly browned.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté it for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the dry white cooking broth, stirring and scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Cream: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Incorporate Gruyere: Gradually add the shredded Gruyere cheese, stirring continuously to allow it to melt completely into the sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Mix with Pasta: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss it with the sauce thoroughly. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and reach your preferred consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta if desired, then serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help adjust the sauce thickness for a smoother texture.
- You can substitute the white cooking broth with vegetable stock or chicken broth depending on preference.
- Gruyere cheese melts beautifully and adds a nutty, creamy flavor, but Swiss cheese can be used as a milder alternative.
- Ensure not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness; add it towards the end of vegetable cooking.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Keywords: Gruyere pasta, creamy pasta, caramelized leeks, mushroom pasta, easy dinner, cheese pasta