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Creamy Leek Garlic Scape Rigatoni

Creamy Leek Garlic Scape Rigatoni

A rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender leeks, pungent garlic scapes, and perfectly cooked rigatoni coated in a velvety cream sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian Inspired
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 medium leeks white and light green parts only, thinly sliced and well-rinsed
  • 6 ounces garlic scapes trimmed and finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • Salt to taste kosher salt
  • Black pepper to taste freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the rigatoni according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the chopped garlic scapes and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly tender. Stir in the red pepper flakes, if using.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
  5. Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
  6. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Garlic scapes are the flower stalks of the garlic plant and offer a milder, more delicate garlic flavor. If unavailable, you can substitute with 2-3 cloves of extra minced garlic, but the flavor profile will be different.
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