Best 4 Easy Pasta Bake With Leek And Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary delight with our easy pasta bake, a harmonious blend of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This delectable dish features tender pasta, enveloped in a creamy cheese sauce, and enriched with the subtle sweetness of leeks and the savory notes of bacon. The combination of textures and flavors creates a symphony in every bite. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice cook, this pasta bake is a breeze to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight meal or a delightful addition to your weekend feast. Discover the culinary magic that awaits you as you embark on this delectable journey.

Additional Recipes:

1. **Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta Bake**: Embark on a culinary adventure with this creamy pasta bake, where mushrooms and spinach take center stage. The earthy flavors of mushrooms and the vibrant green of spinach blend seamlessly with the rich cheese sauce, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.

2. **Baked Ziti with Sausage and Peppers**: Experience the vibrant flavors of Italy with this classic baked ziti. Tender ziti pasta is tossed in a flavorful tomato sauce, generously filled with succulent sausage and colorful bell peppers. Topped with a blanket of melted cheese, this dish is a celebration of Italian cuisine that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Italy.

3. **Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole**: Comfort food at its finest, this cheesy broccoli and rice casserole is a warm and inviting dish that will soothe your soul. Tender broccoli florets and fluffy rice are enveloped in a creamy cheese sauce, resulting in a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Golden brown breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch, making this casserole a true crowd-pleaser.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

EASY PASTA BAKE WITH LEEK AND CHEESE



Easy Pasta Bake with Leek and Cheese image

A quick and easy pasta bake with leek and cheese that I often make during the week. If you like, you can add ham or bacon to the noodles.

Provided by Radegund

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta

Time 31m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 bunch leeks, quartered lengthwise and cut into 2-inch pieces
½ (16 ounce) box penne pasta
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1 ½ cups shredded Emmentaler cheese
1 pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
  • Bring a second large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and cook leek for 2 minutes while penne is cooking. Drain well.
  • Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). Grease a baking dish with some butter.
  • Heat cream and butter in a saucepan over low heat until hot. Whisk in Emmentaler cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Mix cooked penne and leek and add to the prepared baking dish. Pour cheese sauce on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 721.2 calories, Carbohydrate 62.8 g, Cholesterol 142.3 mg, Fat 43.2 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 23.9 g, SaturatedFat 26.5 g, Sodium 225.2 mg, Sugar 7.5 g

CHICKEN & LEEK PASTA BAKE WITH A CRUNCHY TOP



Chicken & leek pasta bake with a crunchy top image

You can pre-prepare the chicken base and freeze to make a hearty, no-fuss pasta bake later in the week. It's sure to become a family favourite

Provided by Lulu Grimes

Categories     Dinner, Main course, Pasta, Supper

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 13

400g dried spinach pasta (we used Seeds of Change spinach trottole pasta, available from Tesco)
2 leeks, cleaned and finely sliced
1 courgette, grated
3 tbsp pesto
2 tbsp low fat soft cheese
2 tbsp fine breadcrumbs
25g butter
25g plain flour
250ml milk
1 tsp olive oil
2-3 (depending on size) skinless chicken thigh fillets, cut into cubes
1 skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
⅓ onion very finely chopped (optional)

Steps:

  • For the base, melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and cook for a few mins, stirring all the time. Now, using a whisk or spatula, carefully stir in the milk, a little at a time, making sure the sauce stays smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for a couple of mins until it thickens - it will be very thick. Turn the heat right down and keep cooking for 5 mins, stirring often.
  • Meanwhile, heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry all of the chicken in batches until it starts to colour lightly at the edges. Scoop out each batch of chicken and put it on a plate. Add the onion to the pan if you are using it, and cook over a low heat until soft. Add the chicken and any juices and the onion to the white sauce, fold it in and cook the mixture for a further 15 mins or until the chicken is cooked through. If you're making the base ahead of time, you can leave it to cool at this stage then freeze in an airtight container for up to a month. (Defrost fully before using in the next step.)
  • Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Put the leeks in a pan with a little water, cover and cook until very soft. Drain, then return to the pan with the courgette, pesto and soft cheese, stir everything together, add the chicken base and stir well, then heat until just bubbling. Add a splash of water if it's very thick.
  • Stir the pasta into the chicken mixture and tip into a large baking dish. Sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and grill the top until it browns.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 601 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 7 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 73 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 35 grams protein, Sodium 0.8 milligram of sodium

CHEESY LEEK & PASTA BAKE



Cheesy Leek & Pasta Bake image

Make and share this Cheesy Leek & Pasta Bake recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Moor Driver

Categories     Pasta Shells

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

200 g jumbo pasta shells
600 g leeks, trimmed washed & sliced
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
50 g blue cheese, crumbled
50 g cheddar cheese, shredded
20 g parmesan cheese, grated
260 ml milk
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons cornstarch (optional)
2 tablespoons water (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 200°C.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Steam leeks until just tender over the boiling pasta.
  • Put shells in a buttered casserole dish. Top with the leeks and season lightly with salt & pepper. Sprinkle the chopped parsley and thyme over the top.
  • Put milk in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add cheeses and stir to melt. If sauce seems a bit thin, you can thicken it by adding the 2tsp cornstarch to 2 Tbsp water and adding this mixture to the milk & cheese mixture and cook until thickened.
  • Pour the sauce over the leeks and top with the breadcrumbs. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 494.2, Fat 13.9, SaturatedFat 8, Cholesterol 37.5, Sodium 501, Carbohydrate 72, Fiber 5, Sugar 7.8, Protein 20.8

CHEESY LEEK & BACON PASTA



Cheesy leek & bacon pasta image

A creamy and comforting quick pasta recipe, ideal for when you're short on time

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Main course

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 tbsp olive oil
300g leek, halved and finely sliced
8 rashers smoked streaky bacon, sliced
400g pasta shapes (we used penne)
100g herb & garlic soft cheese (we used Boursin)

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the leeks and 2 tbsp water, and cook for about 10 mins until very soft. Add the bacon, turn up the heat and fry until cooked.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain and reserve a mug of the cooking water.
  • Spoon cheese into the leek and bacon mix, adding some of the reserved cooking water. Season and stir gently over a low heat until melted. Toss through the cooked pasta, adding a little more cooking water, if needed, to help the sauce coat the pasta.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 556 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 7 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 76 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 4 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 23 grams protein, Sodium 1.5 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh leeks, flavorful cheese, and al dente pasta will make a big difference in the final dish.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it according to the package directions, or slightly undercook it, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
  • Use a variety of cheeses. A combination of hard and soft cheeses will create a gooey, flavorful sauce.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. Add other vegetables, such as spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms, to the pasta bake. You can also use different types of pasta, such as penne or shells.
  • Serve the pasta bake immediately. It's best enjoyed fresh out of the oven.

Conclusion:

This easy pasta bake with leek and cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's also a great way to use up leftover pasta. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a satisfying and flavorful meal that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for an easy and delicious pasta dish, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed.

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