Presto Pasta Smoked Gouda Penne
March 19, 2009 by Marye Audet
Filed under Quick and Easy
This is my pasta entry for Presto Pasta Nights…which I remembered this week. This week’s host is Pam of Sidewalk Shoes.
This week I made a penne with leeks, bacon and smoked gouda, inspired by a recipe in the March issue of Bon Appetit.
I really liked the smokey flavor of the cheese combined with the bacon and leeks. I used a whole wheat penne which seemed to me to handle the depth of the flavors better than normal pasta would have. The sauce was smooth and rich and I really liked the way this pulled together.
Penne with Smoked Gouda, Leeks, and Bacon
- 4 leeks, bulbs and lighter green parts sliced and chopped
- 1/2 lb applewood smoked bacon, cut into small pieces
- 1 lb smoked gouda, grated
- 1/4 c flour
- 2 c milk
- 1 1/2 c half and half
- 1 tbs dijon
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce
- 2 eggs
- 1 lb whole wheat penne
- Cook bacon until crisp. Remove from pan with slotted spoon and set aside on paper towel
- Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the baking grease
- Add leeks to pan, cover and cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Stir a few times and don’t let them brown
- Remove leeks with slotted spoon and set aside
- Add flour, stirring constantly for 2 minutes
- Add the milk, stirring until smooth.
- Add the cheese, mustard, and hot sauce
- Stir until the cheese melts
- Add a little of the cheese sauce to the beaten eggs to temper; whisk into the sauce
- Set aside
- Cook pasta until tender; drain and add to large casserole
- Stir in the leeks and bacon
- Add the cheese sauce and stir well
- Bake for 30 minutes ate 400F
Serves 6-8
images:Marye Audet
Marye…seriously…is the March Bon Appetit not their best one ever!!! I’ve earmarked that particular page for the pasta, the grilled cheese sandwich AND the pizza!
Thanks for sharing your version with Presto Pasta Nights…I think I like it even better than the original.
Ruth- I think it is! I loved several recipes in it.
Gouda and bacon?! That sounds just fabulous. I can’t wait to try this pasta dish!! Great make.
Thanks Elyse! It was delicious..sadly did not photograph well.
Yum. I always love your pasta dishes.
thanks Ginger.. it was so good. I could eat it again today…if only there was some left.
I’ve heard so many tasty things about Gouda cheese but I don’t think I’ve ever tasted it.
Cynthia,
It is better than cheddar in most dishes, I think. A similar flavor only more intense.
This sounds excellent Marye. It reminds me of one of my favourite dishes at a pub nearby…unfortunately they took it off of the menu and went almost completewly Tex Mex!!
A Canadian pub..Tex Mex? Say it isn’t so, Valli! wow.