Patrick Oconnell
There's nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of pasta. This creamy goat cheese pasta recipe is perfect for a quick, delicious, and easy weeknight meal. It's made in one pot and will be ready to devour in less than 30 minutes! The key to this recipe is fresh basil and goat cheese, which bring a complexity that's almost like a vodka sauce. The goat cheese adds a unique, tangy flavor to this easy pasta preparation. Lemon, garlic, basil, and spinach make the dish healthy and colorful.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 10-30 minutes |
| Ingredients | Goat cheese, basil, pasta, olive oil, lemon, salt, pepper, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, garlic, spinach, oregano, pine nuts |
| Cookware | Large pot, saucepan, skillet, baking sheet, oven |
| Storage | Can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days or frozen for up to 6 months |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the ingredients
Firstly, you will need to select and gather the necessary ingredients. For this recipe, the stars of the show are basil, goat cheese, and pasta. Ensure you have fresh basil leaves, as dried basil will not provide the same peppery undertone. Soft goat cheese, also known as chevre, is ideal for this recipe, and it can usually be found in logs at your local grocery store. As for pasta, penne is a popular choice, but you can also opt for other varieties like noodles or penne.
Next, you'll want to prepare the ingredients according to the recipe's requirements. Start by rinsing the basil leaves and gently patting them dry with a paper towel or clean cloth. Finely chop the basil, or tear it with your fingers if you prefer more rustic, larger pieces. Crumble or chop the goat cheese, depending on whether you want it integrated into the sauce or used as a garnish. If you're using a block of hard goat cheese, grate it for a finer texture. Remember to taste the cheese to ensure it suits your palate.
Preparing the pasta is straightforward. Measure out the desired amount and refer to the package instructions for cooking. Typically, you'll boil a pot of salted water, add the pasta, and cook it al dente, which means it should be tender yet still firm. Remember to reserve about a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining it. This starchy water can be used later to adjust the consistency of your sauce.
Some recipes call for additional ingredients to create a more complex dish. For instance, you might decide to incorporate tomatoes, either ripe grape or cherry tomatoes, which can be tossed in whole or halved. You could also opt for fire-roasted tomatoes, which offer a sweet, well-rounded flavor. To enhance the flavor further, consider adding ingredients like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, garlic powder, oregano, spinach, or other herbs like parsley. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Cooking the pasta
To cook pasta with basil and goat cheese, you'll first want to get a large pot of salted water boiling. You'll need to add about 1 teaspoon of salt per quart of water. While you're waiting for the water to boil, you can chop up your basil and get your goat cheese ready.
Once the water is boiling, add your pasta and cook it according to the package instructions. Most recipes recommend cooking the pasta al dente, which means it should be tender but still firm. You can check a few minutes before the time suggested in the instructions to make sure you don't overcook it.
When the pasta is done, drain the water and place the cooked pasta in a serving bowl or pan. If you're making a sauce to go with your pasta, you can add the pasta directly to the sauce and mix it in. This will help the sauce thicken up, and you can always add some of the pasta water to thin it down and create a nice, creamy sauce.
If you're not making a sauce, you can simply top your pasta with crumbled goat cheese, chopped basil, and other desired ingredients such as olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and pine nuts.
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Making the sauce
Start by crushing 2-3 cloves of garlic. Some recipes call for garlic powder instead, which can be added directly to the pan. Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a pan, about 3 tablespoons, and add the garlic. Sauté this until fragrant – be careful not to let the garlic burn as this will ruin the flavour. At this stage, you can add some red chilli flakes if you like a little spice. Next, add a good handful of chopped basil leaves. Stir this through the garlic and oil mixture, cooking for about 30 seconds until the basil is wilted and fragrant. You can add a splash more olive oil here if the mixture is looking dry. Now it's time to add the goat cheese. Crumble or cut the cheese into small pieces and add this to the pan. Stir the cheese through the mixture until it is melted and combined. You can add a squeeze of lemon juice at this stage to add a little acidity and cut through the richness of the cheese. If the sauce becomes too thick, simply add a tablespoon or two of the pasta water to loosen it – this will also help to emulsify the sauce and create a smoother consistency. Finally, season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
There are a few variations you can try, such as adding heavy cream to the sauce for a richer, creamier result. Simply add about 1/2 cup of cream to the pan after sautéing the garlic and before adding the basil. Stir the cream through and let it simmer gently for a few minutes before proceeding with the rest of the sauce. Another option is to include some nuts, like pine nuts or walnuts, for added crunch and flavour. Lightly toast a handful of nuts in a separate pan and then chop them up, adding them to the sauce just before serving. You could also blend the sauce for a smoother, more refined finish. Simply transfer the sauce to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth, adding a little extra olive oil or pasta water to adjust the consistency as needed.
This sauce is incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of pasta shapes. It pairs particularly well with something like penne or fusilli, as the grooves and crevices of these shapes hold the sauce nicely. Simply toss the cooked pasta through the sauce, ensuring it is well coated, and serve immediately. Top with an extra sprinkling of basil and perhaps some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
This creamy, fragrant sauce is a delicious and relatively quick option for a weeknight meal, but it's also impressive enough for a dinner party or special occasion. The combination of garlic, basil, and goat cheese creates a unique and delightful flavour profile that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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Combining the pasta and sauce
At this point, you can adjust the sauce's consistency to your liking. If you prefer a thinner sauce, simply add more of the reserved pasta water. Reduce the heat to medium and add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce. Allow the pasta to cook in the sauce for 1-2 minutes, creating a creamy and flavourful dish.
For a simple pasta dish with goat cheese and basil, you can toss cooked pasta with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, grape tomatoes, basil, and goat cheese. This method involves fewer steps but still delivers a delicious meal.
If you're using a pesto sauce, drain the cooked pasta and place it directly into the pan with the sauce. Mix well, and if the sauce becomes too thick, simply add some cooking pasta water to thin it down. Serve the pasta with crumbled goat cheese, cracked pepper, olive oil, and scattered basil leaves on top.
Remember, the key to a well-combined pasta dish is ensuring the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce. Adjust the consistency of the sauce with pasta water, and always stir gently to prevent breaking the pasta.
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Serving and storing
When serving, you can garnish the pasta with crumbled goat cheese, cracked pepper, olive oil, and scattered fresh basil leaves. You can also add toasted pine nuts.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat, use a microwave or a stovetop over medium heat. Stir often, and add a splash of water or cream if the sauce becomes too thick.
While this recipe is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze it for up to 6 months. After it thaws, the pasta will become softer. To reduce the risk of breaking the pasta, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Frequently asked questions
This recipe should take you less than 30 minutes.
You will need pasta, goat cheese, basil, olive oil, salt, pepper, and tomatoes. You can also add balsamic vinegar, lemon, and garlic.
Boil the pasta until al dente. In a separate pan, heat olive oil and add garlic, spinach, and basil. Combine the pasta with the spinach mixture, lemon zest, juice, pepper, and goat cheese. Stir until a creamy sauce forms.
