Goat Cheese Pasta – The clever meal

This goat cheese pasta recipe is a flavorful, versatile, and creamy pasta that’s quick and easy to make.

A simple, comforting meal the whole family will love.

My cream cheese pasta and lemon ricotta pasta got hundreds of rave reviews, so I was inspired to create a similar flavor and texture profile by making a quick pasta sauce with soft, oh-so-delicious goat cheese. Ready?

The recipe this time starts with a simple base made with olive oil and plenty of onions, which add flavor and texture and work so well with the tangy cheese.

Then we toss in starchy pasta water, goat cheese, parmesan, lemon zest, and seasoning. Simple ingredients that can create a smooth, tasty, creamy sauce, absolutely perfect for coating your pasta.

And here it is: an ultra-delicious goat cheese pasta that tastes great on busy weeknights, yet it’s still elegant and easy to customize with your favorite add-ins for a dinner party.

This pasta with goat cheese is truly one of those budget-friendly and fuss-free pasta recipes you’ll go back to again and again. Here’s everything you need to make it!

List of ingredients

• Pasta
• Goat cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil
• Garlic & onion
• Lemon zest
• Thyme
• Salt & pepper

How to make goat cheese pasta

(Note: this is a quick description; the full recipe is at the bottom of the page)

• While the pasta is cooking, sauté onion and thyme until soft.
• After 5 minutes, stir in the garlic.
• Add the goat cheese, parmesan cheese, and lemon zest.

• Add the reserved pasta water, stir until smooth, and season to taste.
• Toss the drained pasta into the goat cheese pasta sauce until well combined.

• Divide into bowls, sprinkle with more black pepper and grated parmesan cheese, and serve. Yum!

Recipe notes

Goat cheese pasta ingredients

Pasta: Good-quality spaghetti, fettuccine, or bucatini feels fancy here, but any favorite short-shape pasta (penne, fusilli, shells…) will do.

Goat cheese: I use a soft goat cheese log which is made with goat milk rather than cow’s milk. It has a lovely, mild tang, is widely available, and is often called chèvre. The texture is pretty crumbly, not smooth, but it melts beautifully.

Parmesan cheese: It adds a savory, nutty flavor, and I do think it’s an essential ingredient in cheese-based pasta sauce.

Olive oil: To sauté the onions and add flavor; you can use the same amount of butter instead of oil, if you wish.

Onion & garlic: Onion and goat cheese are a classic flavor pairing, where the tanginess of the cheese complements the soft, sweet onions. And any color is fine. The garlic is added for extra flavor, but it’s not too much.

Thyme: Another herb that works very well in the recipe, but you can also use basil a handful of leaves, another delicious aroma, or about 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme or Italian herb seasoning.

Lemon zest: It’s fresh and bright, balancing the cheese’s richness. Don’t skip it.

Seasoning: Season to taste, and be generous with black pepper.

Add-ins and recipe Variations

Because this goat cheese pasta recipe is quite simple, it’s also great to customize to your own taste. Here are a few ideas:

• Add your veggies! Goat cheese tastes delicious when it’s paired with sautéed spinach, fresh or sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, roasted or grilled peppers, or zucchini.
• Make it crunchy: Toasted walnuts, hazelnuts, and pecans add a delicious, nutty, earthy texture and make the dish pretty fancy, too.
• Choose your protein: Grilled salmon, white fish fillet, and grilled chicken make a great combination for this goat cheese pasta.

Storage tips

Goat cheese pasta leftovers keep well covered in the fridge for about 3-4 days. To reheat, use a microwave-safe dish with a splash of milk or water. You can also reheat on the stovetop using some milk or water.

More quick and creamy pasta recipes?

If you love delicious and indulgent bowls of creamy pasta, I’ve got you covered with these quick and easy recipes:

Lastly, I hope you’ll love this goat cheese pasta. If you have any questions, let me know! Leave a comment, send me a message, or rate it. I would love to hear from you!

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