Pasta Salad with Leek and Bacon
- felichiccuisine
- Dec 1, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 16
by Feli Chic'Cuisine
If you're looking for a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal, this Pasta Salad with Leek and Bacon is a perfect choice! Made with simple ingredients, it comes together in under 25 minutes, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner, a light lunch, or a side dish for gatherings.
The crispy bacon adds a delightful crunch and smoky flavor, while the leeks bring a mild sweetness that pairs beautifully with the pasta.
Why Leeks?
Leeks are an incredibly versatile and underappreciated vegetable. They have a more delicate flavor compared to onions, with a mild sweetness and subtle onion-like undertones.
This makes them an ideal addition to pasta dishes where you want a soft, aromatic taste without the sharp bite of raw onions. Leeks are also great for recipes that feature bacon, as their sweetness balances the savory, smoky flavors of crispy bacon perfectly.
The beauty of leeks lies in their texture. While the white and light green parts are tender and mild in flavor, the darker green leaves are much tougher and more fibrous.
The white part and the green middle are the most commonly used, as they are tender and easy to work with. Because of their sweetness, leeks are often used in soups, stews, and salads, and they pair wonderfully with creamy or hearty ingredients like bacon and pasta.
Tips for Choosing and Cooking Pasta
When it comes to pasta salads, it’s best to use cut pasta, such as macaroni, penne, rotini, farfalle, gemelli, or orecchiette. These shapes hold up well when tossed with ingredients like bacon and leeks.
Salt the water generously – Pasta needs salty water to properly absorb flavor. A well-salted base prevents the pasta from tasting bland when served cold in salads.
Cook the pasta al dente – Al dente pasta is firmer and holds its shape better, which is important for pasta salads. It won’t get soggy or sticky, and it will absorb the flavors of the salad dressing without losing its texture.
Don’t overcook the pasta – Overcooked pasta becomes mushy and doesn’t hold up as well in a salad. Be sure to keep an eye on your pasta as it cooks, and drain it as soon as it’s al dente.
Why not give Salmon and Spinach Pasta a try next.
How to Make Pasta Salad with Leek & Bacon
Cook the Pasta
1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Prepare the Leeks
2. Clean the leeks by trimming off the dark green parts and cutting them into thin rounds. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and fry the leeks gently until they are soft and slightly caramelized, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer the leeks to a bowl and set aside
Cook the Bacon
3. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the bacon. Cook the bacon until it's crispy and browned, about 5-7 minutes. No additional fat is needed as the bacon will render its own fat. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel to drain.
Assemble the Salad
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed leeks, and crispy bacon. Toss everything together gently to mix. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Here’s a lovely review from one of my readers:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"My New Favorite Salad – Quick and Tasty! Wow, this pasta salad is a game-changer! The bacon and leek combination is a flavor bomb, and it's so easy to put together. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s the perfect option for when you need something tasty in a hurry!''
Pasta Salad with Leek & Bacon
This Pasta Salad with Leek and Bacon is a simple yet flavorful dish that’s sure to become a favorite! Whether you enjoy it warm or cold, it’s a quick, easy, and delicious recipe that works for any occasion.
🍽 Serves: 4 ⏱ Prep Time: 10 min
⏳ Cooking Time: 15 min ⏰ Total Time: 25 min
Ingredients
250g (9 oz) pasta
3 leeks, whites only
2 tbsp olive oil
200g (7 oz) bacon
salt and black pepper
Method
Cook the Pasta:
1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Prepare the Leeks:
2. Clean the leeks by trimming off the dark green parts and cutting them into thin rounds. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and fry the leeks gently until they are soft and slightly caramelized, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer the leeks to a bowl and set aside.
Cook the Bacon:
3. In the same skillet, increase the heat to medium-high and add the bacon. Cook the bacon until it's crispy and browned, about 5-7 minutes. No additional fat is needed as the bacon will render its own fat. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel to drain.
Assemble the Salad:
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed leeks, and crispy bacon. Toss everything together gently to mix. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Enjoy!
Words of Wisdom to Remember:
The discovery of a new dish does more for the happiness of the human race than the discovery of a star.― Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
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