This creamy goat cheese pasta is an easy 25-minute dinner made with caramelized onion, garlic, herbs and a rich goat cheese sauce. A splash of lemon adds freshness, while reserved pasta water makes the sauce silky and creamy. It's an easy family dinner that's full of flavor and made with simple ingredients.
P.S. You will love my creamy garlic noodles and shrimp recipe for next time.
The best comfort food 😍 👆🏼
NEED TO KNOW 💫
⏱️ Prep time: 5 minutes
🍝 Cook time: 20 minutes
🕒 Total time: 25 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4
🔥 Method: Stovetop
⭐ Difficulty: Easy
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What Is Goat Cheese Pasta?
Goat cheese pasta is a creamy pasta dish made by melting soft goat cheese into a simple sauce. Goat cheese adds a slightly tangy flavor and creates a rich, velvety texture when combined with heavy cream and pasta water. In this recipe, caramelized onion, garlic and oregano add extra flavor, while a splash of lemon balances the richness of the sauce.
❤️ Here's why you will love this pasta
- Quick and easy – Ready in about 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Rich and creamy – Soft goat cheese and heavy cream create a silky, flavorful sauce.
- Simple ingredients – Made with everyday ingredients plus creamy goat cheese.
- Full of flavor – Caramelized onion, garlic, oregano and lemon balance the richness of the sauce.
- Family-friendly – An easy meat-free dinner that feels a little special without being complicated.
🥄 Ingredients needed
Note: Please scroll to the full printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the method.
SPAGHETTI: I use spaghetti, but penne, fettuccine or another pasta shape will also work.
OLIVE OIL: Used to slowly cook the onion and build flavor for the sauce.
ONION: Thinly sliced onion becomes sweet and flavorful as it cooks.
GARLIC: Fresh minced garlic adds plenty of flavor to the creamy sauce.
OREGANO: Fresh or dried oregano works well. You can also substitute basil or thyme.
HEAVY CREAM: Creates the rich, creamy base for the goat cheese sauce.
GOAT CHEESE: Use soft goat cheese so it melts easily into the cream and creates a smooth, tangy sauce.
VEGETABLE STOCK POWDER: Adds extra savory flavor. You can leave it out and adjust the salt to taste.
PASTA WATER: Reserve some before draining the pasta. The starchy water helps create a silky sauce and adjust the consistency.
LEMON JUICE: Adds freshness and helps balance the richness of the goat cheese and cream.
SALT AND BLACK PEPPER: Season to taste.
PARMESAN: Freshly grated Parmesan is optional for serving.
👩🏼🍳 How to Make Goat 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 thinly sliced 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 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice for a fresh, bright flavor. 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.
What to Serve with Goat Cheese Pasta
This creamy goat cheese pasta is delicious on its own, but I love serving it with a simple green salad or my stuffed garlic bread for soaking up the extra creamy sauce.
📝 Tips and tricks
Use soft goat cheese: Fresh, soft goat cheese (chèvre) melts easily and creates the smoothest, creamiest sauce. A more aged goat cheese will have a stronger flavor but may not melt as smoothly.
Don't skip the lemon: Fresh lemon juice brightens the sauce and balances the richness of the goat cheese and cream.
Serve immediately: Goat cheese pasta is best served straight away while the sauce is hot and creamy. If it thickens, loosen it with a splash of reserved pasta water.
❓FAQS
Yes. Soft goat cheese becomes creamy when heated, although it doesn't melt in quite the same way as mozzarella or cheddar. In this recipe, it blends with the heavy cream and pasta water to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
Absolutely. Spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, asparagus or cherry tomatoes all work well. Add cooked vegetables to the sauce before tossing through the pasta.
Goat cheese has a creamy texture with a distinctive tangy, slightly earthy flavor. When combined with cream, garlic, caramelized onion and lemon, the flavor becomes milder while still giving the pasta plenty of character.
Yes. Grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon would all work well with this creamy goat cheese pasta. For a vegetarian option, try adding white beans or crispy tofu.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
Make-ahead
For the best creamy texture, I recommend serving this goat cheese pasta fresh. If you want to get ahead, you can prepare the sauce and cook the pasta separately, then refrigerate them until you're ready to serve. Reheat the sauce gently before adding the pasta.
Storage
Store leftover goat cheese pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of milk, cream or water to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals, stirring between each one.
🧡 Pasta recipes to try next
Creamy Tuscan Soup With Tortellini
Creamy Garlic Parm Sauce (10 minutes)
Rigatoni Al Forno (Vegetarian)
Ricotta Pesto Pasta (Vegetarian)
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 💚
Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta (Easy 25-Minute Recipe)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This creamy goat cheese pasta is an easy 25-minute dinner made with caramelized onion, garlic, herbs and a rich goat cheese sauce. A splash of lemon adds freshness, while reserved pasta water makes the sauce silky and creamy. It's an easy family dinner that's full of flavor and made with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
8 ounces (250 g) spaghetti
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons fresh or dried oregano
1¼ cups (300 ml) heavy cream
½ teaspoon vegetable stock powder
¼ cup reserved pasta water
4 ounces (115 g) soft goat cheese
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving
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 sliced 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 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice for a fresh, bright flavor.. 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
A splash of lemon adds freshness, while reserved pasta water makes the sauce silky and creamy.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Family Meals
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 47 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
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