Leek and Pancetta Pasta

This leek and pancetta pasta is a deliciously creamy meal that you can have on the table in just 20 minutes. Made with crunchy bits of pancetta, fresh leeks and cream cheese, this pasta dish is sure to become a family favourite.

A perfect little recipe for a busy weeknight or simply when you’re craving a creamy yet light pasta dish that pairs great with a glass of white, this leek and pancetta pasta comes together super fast.

It’s one of my favourite ways to use leeks because they infuse the pasta sauce with delicate and sweet flavour. Think of them as a milder version of regular onions but a bit buttery when cooked.

I like to make this pasta dish with cubed pancetta, but any kind of bacon would do just fine.

The cream cheese pairs great with the flavour of the leeks, but you can substitute it with cream for a more decadent dish.

Why you’ll love this leek and pancetta pasta

• It takes just 20 minutes to make, but it tastes like something you’d have in a restaurant.
• You can add more veggies if you like to make it your own.
• It’s a scrumptious dish that pairs perfectly with a glass of white at the end of a busy day.

What goes into pancetta pasta?

Olive oil — For a more buttery base, use butter instead of olive oil to fry the pancetta and leeks in.

Pancetta — Cubed pancetta is perfect for this recipe, but you can also use smoked or unsmoked bacon lardons. Feel free to adjust the quantity to your liking, too.

Leek — You only use the white and light green parts of the leeks here. Make sure you wash your leeks thoroughly because they often hide dirt between their layers. I like to slice them finely, so they cook quickly and blend nicely with the pasta.

Garlic — Freshly chopped garlic is always best in this type of recipe. You can also mince your garlic if you like.

Fresh thyme — Add some freshly chopped thyme to the sauce for some pretty amazing depth of flavour. If you don’t have fresh thyme, use ½ teaspoon dried thyme instead.

Dry white wine — Any dry white wine would do here — I typically go for Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Cream cheese — Both full-fat and lighter cream cheese work well in this pasta. If using light, the sauce might not be as creamy, though.

Pasta — I made this bacon and leek pasta with tagliatelle, but linguine, spaghetti or even short pasta like penne or fusilli would be perfect.

Parmesan — It’s always a good idea to grate your own Parmesan so you can enjoy the best flavours.

How to make leek pancetta pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it and cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Reserve at least 2 cups of pasta water before draining.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan and fry the pancetta for 2-3 minutes over medium heat until slightly crispy.

Stir in the leek and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.

Add the garlic and fresh thyme and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes.

Add the white wine and cook, stirring often, until the alcohol mostly evaporates.

Add the cream cheese to the pan together with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Break the cheese down with your spoon and stir until completely melted, adding more pasta water if it looks too dry.

Transfer the cooked pasta to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce. Stir in the Parmesan, season to taste and serve immediately, with some extra Parmesan on top if you like.

Recipe notes and tips

• Add a splash of lemon juice with the wine for extra brightness.
• If you want your leek and pancetta pasta to have a bit of a kick, add ¼ teaspoon red chilli flakes with the garlic and thyme.
• This is the type of pasta dish that’s best served immediately.
• If you do have any leftovers, they will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. It’s best to reheat it in the microwave but keep in mind the texture won’t be quite the same.

If you liked this leek and pancetta pasta recipe, you might also like some of my other quick and easy pasta recipes:

• Tuna Red Pesto Pasta
• Tagliatelle ai Funghi (Tagliatelle with Mushrooms)
• Pasta e Piselli (Pasta and Peas)
• Spicy Nduja Pasta
• Lemon Butter Garlic Pasta Sauce (Pasta al Limone)

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