Mushroom, Leek and Spinach Tagliatelle with Lemon and Parsley Pangrattato

A creamy weeknight tagliatelle with leeks, mushrooms and spinach, lifted by a crunchy lemon and parsley breadcrumb topping.

Source
Recipe Info
Servings: 4
Prep: 10m
Cook: 20m
Total: 30m
Ingredients
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled and finely grated
  • a few thyme sprigs, leaves picked
  • 4 slim leeks, washed, trimmed, halved lengthways and thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp sea salt flakes
  • 500g chestnut mushrooms, quartered
  • 300g spinach
  • 400g tagliatelle
  • 10 heaped tbsp full-fat creme fraiche
  • 3 tbsp olive oil, for the pangrattato
  • 80g white breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
  • 2 big handfuls (20g) flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
  • 2 small garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 2 lemons, zest and juice
  • 30g parmesan, finely grated
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
  1. Put the oil and butter in a large deep frying pan or casserole over medium heat.
  2. Add the garlic, thyme, leeks and salt, and soften the leeks for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, then add the mushrooms and fry for another 8 minutes, until cooked through and lightly golden.
  3. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, for a minute or so, until wilted.
  4. Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, about 10 minutes.
  5. For the pangrattato, heat the extra oil in a medium-large frying pan, add the breadcrumbs and fry over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, until starting to brown.
  6. Add the parsley, garlic, lemon zest, parmesan and salt, and fry, stirring continuously, for a further minute until golden brown. Take off the heat — the crumbs will keep toasting in the residual heat.
  7. Transfer the cooked pasta to the vegetable pan, reserving the pasta water. Add the creme fraiche and the juice of half the lemons, stir well, then add a few tablespoons of pasta water and toss until silky.
  8. Taste and add more salt and lemon juice as needed.
  9. Serve in warmed bowls with the pangrattato scattered on top.