Lemon Leek Pasta Recipe
Delight your taste buds with this Lemon Leek Pasta! Packed with nutritious vegetables and bright, citrusy notes, this dish is a perfect way to add some freshness and variety to your dinner routine. It’s also quick and easy to prepare, making it an ideal option for busy nights when you crave a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Dig into a delicious mixture of sautéed leeks, shaved Brussels sprouts, kale and whole wheat fettucine pasta infused with zesty lemon juice. Finished off with a mouthwatering medley of asiago cheese and toasted pine nuts, every bite is filled with major flavor and nutrition! Learn how to whip up this delicious leek pasta step-by-step, and we promise you won’t be disappointed!
A Healthy Leek Pasta Recipe
Fire up the skillet and enjoy a warm, delicious bowl of pasta with veggies! Start by heating up some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Throw in thinly sliced leeks and let them sauté for five minutes.
Next, add Brussels sprouts that you’ve shaved to perfection. You also may be able to find them already shaved in the grocery store! Cook them for three to four minutes before tossing chopped kale into the mix too. Continue to cook the veggies until the kale is soft and wilted.
Finish off the veggies with some black pepper, then take your cooked whole wheat fettuccine noodles (using tongs!) and swirl them into the veggie medley so they can soak up all those yummy flavors while adding their own beautiful contribution to the dish.
Finally, don’t forget to add some lemon juice and asiago cheese for a citrusy and cheesy flavor! To really make this satisfying meal complete, serve generously garnished with pine nuts and extra Asiago on top.
Healthy Hacks
This recipe makes two servings, so it’s great if you’re cooking dinner for two! You could also save the second dish for an easy dinner tomorrow.
On a Nutrisystem weight loss plan? Don’t forget to log this meal in the NuMi app! Each serving contains 450 calories and counts as two PowerFuels, two SmartCarb and one and a half Vegetable servings.
Leeks and pasta complement each other perfectly, creating a delicious and satisfying meal. Just like most pasta recipes, this Lemon Leek Pasta is easy to customize! You can swap the veggies, cheese, nuts and seasonings if you’d like. Mix things up with these inspired ingredient and flavor combinations:
- Lemon and Thyme – Adding fresh thyme to your Lemon Leek Pasta dish creates a delicious, light and refreshing flavor. This option is perfect for hot summer evenings when you crave something light.
- Mushrooms and Garlic – Adding garlic and mushrooms to your leek and pasta is super hearty and tasty. The combination of the savory flavors of garlic, mushrooms and leeks creates a rich and earthy taste, making this option comforting and satisfying.
- Tomato and Basil – For a classic pasta dish, add fresh tomatoes and basil to your leek and pasta. This flavor pairing is perfect for those who appreciate the simplicity and sweetness of tomatoes and the herbaceous aroma of basil.
- Olives and Feta Cheese – For Greek-inspired flavors, toss sliced olives and crumbled feta cheese into your leek and pasta dish. The salty and tangy taste of the feta goes perfectly with the sweetness of the leeks.
- Balsamic Vinegar and Honey – For an unexpected twist, add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and honey to your leek pasta. This combo creates a perfect balance of sweet and acid, adding depth and complexity to your plate.
With these ingredient and flavor combinations, you can create healthy, nutrient-rich and delicious pasta dishes with leeks. Check out the Nutrisystem Grocery Guide for ideas and serving sizes!
