Caramelized Leek and Mushroom Gruyere Pasta (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 12 ounces pasta, such as fettuccine or linguine
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 medium leeks, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
04 - 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1/2 cup dry white cooking broth or vegetable stock
07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
08 - 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - Salt, to taste

→ Optional Ingredients

11 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
02 - In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
03 - Add the sliced leeks to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and golden.
04 - Stir in the mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes until tender and slightly browned.
05 - Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Pour in the white cooking broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
07 - Stir in the heavy cream, reducing the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
08 - Gradually stir in the Gruyere cheese, allowing it to melt completely into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
09 - Toss the cooked pasta in the skillet with the sauce, adding the reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
10 - Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.