A super simple recipe for creamy pasta with goat's cheese that takes 30 minutes to make. Add extra veggies like cherry tomatoes, spinach, asparagus, or mushrooms to make this a well-balanced meal. It's family-friendly!
the best comfort food 😍 👆🏼
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GOATS CHEESE PASTA
Ever feel like your pasta could use a little extra zing? Well, goat's cheese pasta is the tangy hero that’s here to save your dinner from the bland and boring! Picture this: creamy pasta, just a pure, velvety sauce thanks to goat cheese. You can serve it with stuffed garlic bread on the side. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel fancy enough to serve at a dinner party, yet cozy enough to enjoy in your pajamas on a Wednesday night.
❤️ HERE'S WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS PASTA
- It’s easy to make. (Under 30 Minutes)
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Fancy without the fuss
- Did I mention it is very delicious?
🧡 SOME OTHER SIMPLE PASTA RECIPE TO TRY NEXT
Creamy Tuscan Soup With Tortellini
Creamy Garlic Parm Sauce (10 minutes)
🥄 INGREDIENTS NEEDED AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Note: Please scroll to the full printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the method.
SPAGHETTI: 8 ounces (250 g) spaghetti uncooked. Or choose your favorite type of pasta such as orzo or fettuccini.
ONION: Finely diced 1 onion
GARLIC: Fresh or dried
FRESH OREGANO: Or dried. You can also use your favorite herbs such as basil or thyme.
HEAVY CREAM
GOATS CHEESE: You can swap goats cheese with feta cheese if you like.
VEGETABLE STOCK POWDER: If you don't have vegetable stock powder then you can leave this out. Make sure to season with salt and pepper for extra flavor.
RESERVED PASTA WATER: Reserve some pasta water before draining the pasta.
LEMON OR LIME JUICE: Fresh is always best.
👩🏼🍳 HOW TO MAKE GOATS CHEESE PASTA
Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (250 g) of uncooked spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water. Set the drained spaghetti aside.
Caramelize the Onions: In a large pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 finely diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized—about 10 minutes.
Add Garlic and Herbs: Once the onions are caramelized, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 teaspoons of fresh or dried oregano. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Simmer the Cream with Vegetable Stock: Pour 300 ml of cream into the pan, then stir in ½ teaspoon of vegetable stock powder. Let the cream simmer gently for about 4-5 minutes, allowing it to slightly reduce and thicken.
Incorporate the Pasta Water: Once the cream has reduced, stir in the reserved ¼ cup of pasta water to create a silky sauce. Continue to simmer for another minute to combine.
Add Goat Cheese: Crumble 4 ounces of goat cheese into the sauce. Use a fork to gently mix and press the goat cheese into the cream until fully melted and smooth.
Finish the Sauce: Add a squirt of lime juice for a fresh zing. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Remember that the vegetable stock powder will add saltiness.
Combine with Spaghetti: Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss to coat evenly with the creamy goat cheese mixture.
Garnish and Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan and an extra sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy!
WHICH GOAT CHEESE SHOULD I USE?
Soft vs. Firm:
For creamy pasta dishes, opt for soft, fresh goat cheese such as soft chèvre. It has a spreadable texture and will melt smoothly into your sauce. Aged or firm goat cheese is great for crumbling over salads or pizzas but won’t melt as well.
Flavor:
Goat cheese comes in a range of flavors from mild to tangy. If you prefer a subtle flavor, go for younger, fresh goat cheese. For a bolder, more tangy taste, choose a slightly aged variety. The tangier goat cheese can add a punch of flavor to your dish.
Herbed or Plain:
Plain goat cheese is ideal if you want to control the flavors in your dish. However, herbed goat cheeses, which are infused with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or garlic, can add extra dimension without additional seasonings.
📝 TIPS AND TRICKS
- Opt for fresh, soft chèvre for a smooth, creamy sauce. If you want a more intense flavor, use a slightly aged goat cheese, but be mindful that it can be more crumbly and tangy.
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens up the dish and enhances the flavors. It also helps to balance the richness of the goat cheese, making the pasta feel lighter.
- Goat cheese pasta is best served right after it’s made. The sauce can thicken as it cools, so enjoy it while it’s hot and creamy.
❓FAQS
Goat cheese can melt, but it's not as smooth or stretchy as other cheeses like mozzarella or cheddar. When heated, goat cheese becomes soft and creamy, but it doesn’t fully melt into a liquid state.
Sundried tomatoes, steamed broccoli, roasted pumpkin, fried zucchini, or avocado will be delicious with this dish, and extra vitamins and minerals will be added.
Fresh goat cheese, often referred to as chèvre, has a tangy, slightly acidic flavor that’s more pronounced than many cow’s milk cheeses. It’s often described as having a "goaty" or "gamey" taste, which can be an acquired taste for some people.
Cooked chicken or tofu add a great amount of protein. You could also add steamed prawns or minced meat.
Make-ahead, Storage, and Reheating
make-ahead
This goat cheese pasta is a great dish to prepare ahead of time, especially if you’re planning a busy week. You can make the entire dish up to a day in advance. Simply cook the pasta and prepare the sauce, then combine everything and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just wait to add the fresh herbs and any delicate toppings like pine nuts or avocado until you’re ready to serve, so they stay fresh and crunchy.
storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors tend to meld together even more after sitting, making the dish even tastier the next day!
freezing
If you plan to store it longer, you can freeze the pasta for up to a month.
reheating
When it’s time to reheat, the stovetop is your best friend! Add a splash of vegetable broth or water to the pasta in a pan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. This will help maintain the creamy texture without drying out the sauce. If you’re in a hurry, microwaving works too—just be sure to cover the pasta and stir halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs, a squeeze of lemon, or an extra crumble of goat cheese to revive the flavors before serving.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It genuinely helps me & I really appreciate your support! Nikki 💚
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CREAMY PASTA WITH GOATS CHEESE
- Total Time: 5 minutes prep + 10 minutes cooking
- Yield: serves 4
Description
A super simple recipe for creamy pasta with goat's cheese that takes 30 minutes to make. Add extra veggies like cherry tomatoes, spinach, asparagus, or mushrooms to make this a well-balanced meal. It's family-friendly!
Ingredients
8 ounces of pasta of choice such as spaghetti, orzo or fettuccini (250 g)
3 tablespoons of olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons oregano (fresh or dried) you can also use your favorite herb such as basil or thyme.
300 ml heavy cream
½ teaspoon vegetable stock powder
¼ cup reserved pasta water
4 ounces goat cheese
a squirt of lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
parmesan cheese to garnish
Instructions
Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (250 g) of uncooked spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water. Set the drained spaghetti aside.
Caramelize the Onions: In a large pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 finely diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized—about 10 minutes.
Add Garlic and Herbs: Once the onions are caramelized, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 teaspoons of fresh or dried oregano. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Simmer the Cream with Vegetable Stock: Pour 300 ml of cream into the pan, then stir in ½ teaspoon of vegetable stock powder. Let the cream simmer gently for about 4-5 minutes, allowing it to slightly reduce and thicken.
Incorporate the Pasta Water: Once the cream has reduced, stir in the reserved ¼ cup of pasta water to create a silky sauce. Continue to simmer for another minute to combine.
Add Goat Cheese: Crumble 4 ounces of goat cheese into the sauce. Use a fork to gently mix and press the goat cheese into the cream until fully melted and smooth.
Finish the Sauce: Add a squirt of lime juice for a fresh zing. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Remember that the vegetable stock powder will add saltyness.
Combine with Spaghetti: Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss to coat evenly with the creamy goat cheese mixture.
Garnish and Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan and an extra sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
DOES GOAT'S CHEESE TASTE LIKE CHEESE?
Fresh goat cheese, often referred to as chevre, has a tangy, slightly acidic flavor that's more pronounced than many cow milk cheeses. It is often described as having a "goaty" or "gamey" taste, which can be an acquired taste for some people.
CAN I ADD VEGETABLES TO THE PASSTA?
Sundried tomatoes, steamed broccoli, roasted pumpkin, fried zucchini, or avocado will be delicious with this dish, and extra vitamins and minerals will be added.
CAN I ADD PROTIEN?
Cooked chicken or tofu add a great amount of protein. You can also add steamed prawns or minced meat.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Family Meals
- Cuisine: Italian
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