Pappardelle with Leeks and Bacon

Adapted from Bon Appétit

1 T. olive oil

1 T. butter

5 slices bacon, cut into ½” pieces

1/2 pkg. (3 oz) Melissa’s Cleaned and Sliced Leeks

Kosher salt

3/4 c. heavy cream

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

6 oz. Pappardelle

1/2 c. grated Parmesan

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice*

Heat oil and butter in a 10-inch sauté pan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until bacon is crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in leeks and season with salt. Increase heat to medium high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks begin to brown, 4-6 minutes. Stir in cream, thyme, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, 9 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving a cup of pasta cooking liquid.

Add pasta, Parmesan, and a half-cup of cooking liquid to the sauce, and stir to coat. Increase heat to medium, and continue stirring until the sauce coats the pasta. If you like your sauce a little thinner, stir in remaining pasta water, a little bit at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Add fresh lemon juice, and serve immediately.

* If you do not have fresh lemon juice available, omit this (and in the name of all things holy do NOT use RealLemon! Egad!). I find that fresh lemon juice brightens this dish, but it will be fine without it.