Pasta with leeks, pecorino and pancetta

Name: Pasta with leeks, pecorino and pancetta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Mezzi Rigatoni 11.3 oz; Leeks 3 cups; Smoked pancetta 7 oz; Pecorino Romano PDO cheese 5.3 oz; Extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ tbsp; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Luisa Orizio

Pasta with leeks, pecorino and pancetta is a super tasty Italian dish that brings the flavors of central Italy right to your table. And here's the thing: this recipe really shows the magic of slow cooking with its simple yet flavorful ingredients. The leeks, they cook down until they're incredibly tender—which is awesome—creating this creamy base that perfectly complements the other components.

Pancetta adds a crispy, savory touch with a hint of smokiness, while pecorino cheese brings a rich, tangy depth to the dish. Really, it’s the kind of comforting feeling you expect from a traditional Italian pasta dish. It makes it feel both fancy and homey. Plus, in the beautiful towns of Centro Italia, each family might have its own version of this dish, but everyone agrees on one thing: letting the leeks get super super soft is essential.

This process gives the sauce a silky texture that clings to the pasta, wrapping every bite in layers of flavor. Compared to other pecorino pasta recipes, this one stands out for its balance of sweet, almost buttery leeks against the salty cheese and pork. For real, it’s perfect for a weeknight when you crave something special yet simple. Pretty much, it’s no surprise this dish is becoming a favorite among easy pasta recipes and quick dinner ideas. Fans of pancetta pasta dishes will love this, especially if they enjoy a sauce that hugs every noodle.

And you know what? It’s the kind of meal that pairs beautifully with a dry glass of wine, some crusty bread, and good company—just like in those charming hillside towns of central Italy, where meals are all about savoring the moment and celebrating local flavors. So, whether you're cooking for family or friends, this pasta promises a taste of Italy's heart in every bite. Seriously good.

How to prepare Pasta with leeks, pecorino and pancetta

To prepare the pasta with leeks, pecorino and pancetta, start by filling a pot with plenty of salted water and bring it to a boil. In the meantime, in a large skillet add the pancetta cut into dice 1 and let it brown without adding any fat 2 until it becomes golden and crispy. Then drain off the excess fat and transfer the pancetta to a small bowl 3. Set aside.

Clean the leeks by removing the toughest part, then slice them thinly 4. If needed, pour a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (about 1 tbsp) into the same skillet where you cooked the pancetta, add the leeks 5 and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, until they are soft. Moisten with a ladleful of the pasta cooking water (about 1/4 cup) to help them finish cooking.

Cook the pasta 7 and drain it al dente directly into the skillet with the sauce 8, then toss briefly 9.

Add a ladleful of cooking water (about 1/4 cup) 10, then add the grated pecorino 11 and a grind of black pepper. Toss everything quickly to combine the flavors and obtain a creamy consistency 12.

Plate the pasta 13, garnish with the crispy pancetta 14 and serve your pasta with leeks, pecorino and pancetta 15!

Storage

Store the pasta with leeks, pecorino and pancetta in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one day. When ready to eat, reheat it in a skillet, adding a splash of water (about 1 tbsp) to bring back its creaminess.

Freezing is not recommended.

Tip

For a touch of freshness and contrast, you can finish with a grating of untreated lemon zest: it will brighten the leeks and balance the saltiness of the pancetta and pecorino.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.

Pasta with leeks, pecorino and pancetta

PRESENTATION

How to prepare Pasta with leeks, pecorino and pancetta

Storage

Tip

RELATED RECIPES