Inspired by the popular baked feta pasta Tik Tok recipe, this Baked Goat Cheese Pasta is an easy 30 minute meal that's a creamier version amped up with garlic.
Have you seen the famous baked feta pasta on Tik Tok and Instagram? And if you haven't, that's cool because I'm offering up this Baked Goat Cheese Pasta version that is every bit as good and equally easy. Nothing wrong with dinner being on the table in 30, right?
Why goat cheese over feta?
I love a well-stocked cheese drawer. Gotta keep it stocked so I can make Pepper Jack Cheese Dip or Mac n' Cheese when the craving hits. I'd been wanting to make the baked feta Tik Tok recipe but was out of...you guessed it...feta. The log of goat cheese in said cheese drawer jumped out as a perfectly reasonable substitution.
Jackpot! Because while the feta version is really good, the goat cheese one is even better.
Goat cheese is:
- a creamier cheese so it makes an even creamier sauce for the pasta.
- a milder cheese allowing the tomatoes, basil and garlic to equally shine.
What you'll need
- curvy pasta like cavatappi, cavatelli or fusilli
- cherry or grape tomatoes
- a big log of goat cheese (mine was 10 oz but anything greater than 6-8 oz works)
- several peeled garlic cloves
- good olive oil
Optional ingredient add-ins
You have lots of options for adding ingredients to make this creamy tomato pasta sauce your own. Some yummy suggestions:
- any protein like strips of Foolproof Chicken, cooked Italian sausage, sauteed shrimp, scallops or tofu
- additional veggies like roasted red peppers; sauteed onions and mushrooms; spinach; artichoke hearts
- additional chopped fresh herbs like thyme or a bit of oregano
- a sprinkling of pine nuts, crushed red pepper flakes and parmesan for serving
Process
Here's how to make baked goat cheese pasta:
- Toss tomatoes and peeled garlic cloves with olive oil in a baking pan with higher sides.
- Place log of goat cheese in the center. Season everything with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Stir the goat cheese and tomatoes together until a creamy sauce is formed.
- Toss with your preferred curly pasta of choice.
Grab a fork. Take a bite. And another. Good luck leaving some for anybody else.
TIP
Save some pasta cooking water and add to the sauce to make it even creamier (if needed).
-Josie + Nina
Helpful Tips
Make ahead
Baked goat cheese pasta is an easy recipe so making it ahead isn't a big deal but to save some time, you can have the pasta made ahead (or even use leftover cooked pasta when you've made too much). Run some warm water over the pasta sitting in a colander to loosen it up. Shake off the excess water before tossing with the sauce.
Storing
Refrigerate leftovers an airtight covered container for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Heat the leftovers in a microwave safe dish in 30 second increments with a teaspoon or two of leftover pasta water or chicken broth and stir until creamy.
FAQ's
I love sharing ideas to help you successfully make this recipe right from the start. My grandmas, Josie and Nina, used what they had in their pantries to get amazing dishes on the table to feed their families.
The best part of this goat cheese pasta recipe is that you can substitute a variety of ingredients to customize it to your tastes. Here are some tips:
You want to use a pasta with lots of nooks and crannies that can bear the weight of a creamy sauce. Shapes like cavatelli, cavatappi, orecchiette and fusilli hold and compliment the sauce best while strand shapes like linguine, capellini and spaghetti are best saved for tomato sauces.
Olive oil adds the best flavor and brings out the best in the goat cheese, tomatoes and garlic. If you don't have it, equal parts of canola oil and butter would add flavor and richness.
Absolutely! Any herb forward goat cheese like garlic or thyme would be sooo good in this recipe. Feel free to make it your own!
…before you go...
If you make this Baked Goat Cheese Pasta recipe, be sure to share your reviews in the comments below! Or pin the recipe by clicking on one of the images above and save it for later.
Baked Goat Cheese Pasta
Equipment
- oval or round oven-safe baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 pints grape or cherry tomatoes, washed and dried
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 10 oz log of goat cheese, can use 6-8 oz as well
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- fresh thyme, crushed red pepper, pine nuts, parmesan, optional
- 6-8 whole peeled garlic cloves
- 1 lb cavatappi, cavatelli or fusilli dried pasta, I prefer Barilla or DeCecco
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- In a oven safe baking dish with sides, toss the tomatoes, garlic and olive oil until the tomatoes are coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Nestle the cheese in the center of the baking dish. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper
- Place on the center rack of the oven and bake for 25 minutes until the tomatoes are roasted and are juicy and bubbly.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in sea salted, boiling water according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
- Remove the baked goat cheese and tomatoes from the oven. Using a spoon, stir the cheese into the tomatoes and olive oil sauce until mixed and creamy. Stir in half of the chopped fresh basil.
- Add in the cooked pasta a cup at a time. Add in some reserved pasta water by the tablespoon as needed to make the sauce creamier. Sprinkle over the remaining basil and fresh parmesan before serving.
Notes
- any protein like strips of Foolproof Chicken, cooked Italian sausage, sauteed shrimp, scallops or tofu
- additional veggies like roasted red peppers; sauteed onions and mushrooms; spinach; artichoke hearts
- additional chopped fresh herbs like thyme or a bit of oregano
- a sprinkling of pine nuts, crushed red pepper flakes and parmesan for serving
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