Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our delectable Leek Mac and Cheese. This classic dish is elevated with the addition of tender leeks, a creamy cheese sauce, and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Discover two irresistible variations – the traditional baked version and a quick and easy stovetop method – both guaranteed to satisfy your cravings.
In the traditional baked Leek Mac and Cheese, a velvety cheese sauce made with a blend of sharp cheddar and creamy Gruyère envelops al dente macaroni and tender leeks. Topped with a golden brown breadcrumb crust, this dish is baked to perfection, resulting in a symphony of flavors and textures.
For those seeking a quicker option, the stovetop Leek Mac and Cheese delivers the same creamy satisfaction without the wait. Simply simmer the leeks in a rich cheese sauce until the flavors meld, then stir in the cooked macaroni. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and you have a comforting and flavorful meal in no time.
No matter which method you choose, our Leek Mac and Cheese is sure to be a hit. Its creamy texture, cheesy goodness, and the subtle sweetness of leeks make it a perfect side dish or a hearty main course. Gather your ingredients and let's embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more!
CHEESY MACARONI BAKE WITH LEEKS AND PANCETTA
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Home
Time 40m
Yield 8 servings, 1 cup each
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350ºF.
- Cook macaroni as directed on package, omitting salt.
- Meanwhile, whisk flour and chicken broth until blended. Cook leeks, pancetta and garlic in large deep skillet on medium heat 8 min. or until white parts of leeks are crisp-tender, stirring frequently. Add cream cheese spread and chicken broth mixture; mix well. Cook 2 to 4 min. or until cream cheese is completely melted and sauce is thickened, stirring constantly. Add shredded cheese; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until melted.
- Combine cracker crumbs and butter.
- Drain macaroni. Add to leek mixture in skillet; mix lightly. Spoon into 3-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; sprinkle crumb mixture.
- Bake 20 min. or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 300, Fat 17 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Sodium 440 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 13 g
MAC AND CHEESE WITH LEEKS AND GORGONZOLA
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water cook the pasta until al dente, drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat melt 2 tablespoons of butter and oil and cook the leeks until tender but not browned. In a bowl combine the cooked leeks with the Bechamel Sauce, Gorgonzola, Asiago, thyme, oregano, and parsley. Toss the sauce with the pasta until well coated and season, to taste.
- Grease a 9-inch springform pan with the remaining butter. Fill the springform pan with the pasta mixture and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 40 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before removing from the pan and slicing.
- In a heavy bottomed pot over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant, but not brown. Remove the garlic and discard. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the flour to make a roux, cook for 4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
- Heat the milk to just below boiling. Pour 1 cup of milk into the roux, whisking constantly as the sauce thickens. Add the rest of the milk, in 1/2 cup portions, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer the sauce over low heat for 8 minutes, stirring the bottom of the pot with a spatula to prevent burning. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheese, kosher salt and nutmeg to finish the sauce.
BACON, LEEK, AND TOMATO MACARONI AND CHEESE
Surprising twist to a family classic! White cheese, bacon, and leeks. Yes, leeks--a less tangy onion! And this is a one-pot meal! No draining of the water. Super fun, quick, easy, and yummy!
Provided by dawn2376
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork
Time 35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring water to a boil in an 8-quart stockpot.
- Meanwhile, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain bacon on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Add macaroni, Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to the boiling water. Cover and let simmer vigorously for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the macaroni mixture cooks, trim dark green parts off leek and discard. Slice leek in half lengthwise, then crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Place in a bowl of cold water and swish to remove dirt. Drain leek and stir into the macaroni mixture.
- Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until macaroni is tender and sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cut tomatoes in half lengthwise. Remove cores and scrape out seeds. Dice tomatoes; reserve 1/4 cup for garnish. Remove stockpot from heat; stir in remaining tomatoes and 1/2 of the bacon. Spoon macaroni into a serving bowl and garnish with remaining bacon and reserved tomatoes. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 641.7 calories, Carbohydrate 62.5 g, Cholesterol 85.6 mg, Fat 29.3 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 31.1 g, SaturatedFat 16.3 g, Sodium 1964.9 mg, Sugar 4.3 g
MACARONI CHEESE WITH LEEKS
A lovely dish with leeks and garlic. A big hit with the whole family...hence low/no salt. Adults can always add it as needed.
Provided by annamc
Time 40m
Yield Serves 5
Number Of Ingredients 0
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C. Cook the macaroni.
- Heat the oil in a pan and add the garlic and leeks and allow to soften.
- Melt the butter in a pan.Stir in the flour gradually.
- Add the milk gradually, stirring to avoid lumps.Add the mustard.
- Add the cheese and stir the mixture until it has melted into the sauce.
- Stir the leeks into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta.
- Put the mixture into an oven proof dish, top with cheese and bake for 20mins.
LEEK MAC AND CHEESE
Posting for ZWT#6. Cooks usually reserve dark, tough leek greens for stock but here they are incorporated into mac and cheese. From Food & Wine.
Provided by WiGal
Categories European
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet.
- Add the leek greens and cook over high heat, stirring just until slightly wilted, 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
- Cook over low heat until very tender, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Add the flour and cook over moderately high heat, whisking, for 2 minutes. Add the half-and-half and bring to a boil, whisking until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat.
- Add 2 cups of the cheese, season with salt and pepper and whisk the cheese sauce until melted.
- In a large saucepan of salted boiling water, cook the macaroni until nearly al dente.
- Drain well.
- Add the macaroni and the cheese sauce to the leek greens and stir until combined.
- Transfer the macaroni to an 8-by-11-inch baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, until bubbling.
- Turn the broiler on and broil the mac and cheese until golden brown on top, about 3 minutes.
- Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the mac and cheese will be. Use fresh leeks, sharp cheddar cheese, and creamy milk or cream.
- Cook the leeks properly: Leeks can be tough if they're not cooked properly. Be sure to sauté them until they're soft and translucent.
- Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will have a big impact on the flavor of the mac and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a bold flavor, or a milder cheese like mozzarella or Monterey Jack for a more subtle flavor.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Overcooked pasta will make the mac and cheese mushy. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, and then drain it well.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the cheese sauce. Making a roux will help to prevent the cheese sauce from curdling.
- Use a combination of cheeses: Using a combination of cheeses will give the mac and cheese a more complex flavor. Try using a sharp cheddar cheese, a mild cheddar cheese, and a Parmesan cheese.
- Add some extras: Feel free to add some extra ingredients to your mac and cheese, such as cooked bacon, crumbled sausage, or chopped vegetables.
- Serve immediately: Mac and cheese is best served immediately after it's made. The cheese sauce will start to thicken as it cools, so don't let it sit for too long before serving.
Conclusion:
Leek mac and cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that's perfect for any occasion. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give leek mac and cheese a try.
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