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British Vegetarian Dinner Featured

Baked Cheddar and Leek Pasta

A rich, flavorful baked pasta dish combining sweet tender leeks and sharp cheddar cheese in a creamy homemade sauce.

Level Medium Prep 20 min Cook 30 min Servings 6 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

50 min

Makes 6 servings

Prep 20m

Cook 30m

Level Medium

About this recipe

A rich, flavorful baked pasta dish combining sweet tender leeks and sharp cheddar cheese in a creamy homemade sauce.

A wonderfully creamy baked pasta recipe highlighting sweet leeks and sharp cheddar cheese.

Ingredients

Servings

Units

Pasta

16 oz rigatoni or penne pasta

Sauce

4 tbsp unsalted butter
3 large leeks (cleaned, trimmed, and sliced)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk (warmed)
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
1 tsp Dijon mustard

Topping

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (grated for topping)

Seasoning

salt and pepper (to taste)

Equipment

9x13-inch baking dish
Large skillet or pot For sauce and leeks
Whisk For smooth cheese sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain.
15 min
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced leeks and sauté for 8-10 minutes until soft and translucent.
Sprinkle flour over the leeks and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Gradually whisk in warm milk until smooth, and simmer until the mixture thickens into a sauce.
Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups of grated cheddar and Dijon mustard until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Toss the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce until well coated, then transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top.
20 min

Nutrition

Calories 480

Protein 22g

Carbs 52g

Fat 21g

Fiber 4g

Sugar 6g

Sodium 580mg

Serving Size 1 serving

Cooking Timeline

Prep 20 min

Cook 30 min

Total 50 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.3 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Taste 9.5
Presentation 9.0
Nutrition 6.5
Value 9.0
Instructions 9.5
Ingredients 9.5
Time Accuracy 9.0
Difficulty 7.0
Would Make Again 9.5

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

An exceptionally cozy, rich, and flavorful baked pasta loaded with savory depth from caramelized leeks and sharp cheddar.

Pros

Deep savory flavors
Crispy cheese topping
Comfort food favorite

Cons

Rich and indulgent

Overview

A wonderfully creamy baked pasta recipe highlighting sweet leeks and sharp cheddar cheese.

AI Insights

Summary

A rich, flavorful baked pasta dish combining sweet tender leeks and sharp cheddar cheese in a creamy homemade sauce.

Tips

Use freshly grated sharp cheddar for the best melting texture and flavor
Do not skip cleaning the leeks thoroughly as dirt often hides between the layers
Broil for the last 2 minutes if you want an extra crispy cheese crust