Description
Goat Cheese Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish combining soft plant-based goat cheese with fresh herbs, vibrant vegetables, and perfectly cooked pasta. This easy-to-make recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, offering a rich yet light texture balanced by bright flavors from fresh greens, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and natural seasonings. Ideal for quick weeknight dinners or elegant meals, it’s versatile and adaptable to your pantry or taste preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 200g penne, fusilli, or spaghetti pasta
- Salt for pasta water
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (natural)
- 150g plant-based goat cheese
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Sea salt, to taste
- Reserved pasta water, as needed
Finishing
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your choice of pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and reserve one cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant and golden, taking care not to burn it. Next, add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook until they begin to soften.
- Add greens and seasoning: Stir in the fresh spinach or kale and cook just until wilted to retain their color and nutrients. Add vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), lemon juice (natural), and season with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Incorporate plant-based goat cheese: Reduce the heat to low and add the plant-based goat cheese. Stir continuously to melt it into a creamy sauce. Use the reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a smooth, luscious consistency.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until evenly coated. Finish by stirring in fresh basil and parsley for a vibrant, fresh flavor. Serve immediately with optional crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of high-quality olive oil.
Notes
- Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce and help it adhere to the noodles.
- Do not overcook greens to maintain their vibrant color and nutrients.
- Choose fresh, creamy plant-based goat cheese for the best texture and flavor.
- Toast garlic gently over medium-low heat to avoid bitterness.
- Adjust salt and pepper after combining the cheese into the sauce for balanced seasoning.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: goat cheese pasta, plant-based cheese pasta, creamy pasta recipe, quick vegetarian pasta, easy dinner recipe