Buttery Leeks in Cheese Sauce with Crispy Crumbs
Sweet, tender leeks in a rich cheese sauce under a crunchy golden crumb, a lovely side for roast chicken, ham or fish.
Made with Cheese sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.85 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Wash the leeks very well in a bowl of cold water, as grit hides between the layers, then drain.
- 2
Melt the butter in a wide pan over a medium heat. Add the leeks and a splash of water, cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until soft, stirring occasionally. Drain off any liquid.
11 min - 3
Warm your ready made cheese sauce (see the base recipe) in a small pan until loose and hot.
- 4
Tip the leeks into a baking dish and pour over the cheese sauce. Mix gently.
- 5
Toss the breadcrumbs with the oil, cheddar and parsley and scatter over the top.
- 6
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until bubbling and golden.
16 min 40 s
Tips
- Drain the cooked leeks well. Extra liquid thins the sauce and makes it watery.
- Cut leeks into thick chunks rather than thin slices so they keep some bite.
- Use a mix of the white and pale green parts. Keep the tough dark tops for stock.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours. Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat at {t180} for 15 to 20 minutes until steaming hot all the way through. Not ideal to freeze.
Questions
Can I use frozen leeks?
Yes, but they hold more water. Cook them from frozen until soft and drain very well before adding the sauce.
What does it go with?
It is excellent with roast chicken, gammon, baked salmon or sausages, and it makes a good vegetarian main with potatoes.
Can I prepare it ahead?
Yes. Assemble up to 1 day ahead without the crumb, then top and bake for 25 minutes until bubbling hot.
More made with cheese sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.