Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta Recipe

this Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta Topped with roasted butternut squash, crisp bacon, and nutty pecans, it's full of fall flavors that will have you hooked. This is a comforting dinner for a chilly fall weekend.

Why you'll love this pasta recipe

If you love weeknight pasta, this Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta with Fall Greens and Sage will be your new go-to dinner.

• Fancy but simple. Although the goat cheese and woodsy sage add more flavor, you just toast everything and stir it together.
• Perfect for fall. This cheesy pasta recipe is a great way to add fall flavors to your dinner, like tender butternut squash and fragrant sage.
• Versatile. Use a different type of pasta, add leftover veggies, or make it spicy if you like.
• Great for meal prep. Roast veggies and cook bacon ahead of time for faster dinners throughout the week.

what do you need

Sweet butternut squash, crunchy pecans, and smoky bacon are a heavenly combination of ingredients for fall flavors. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities.

• Butternut Squash – Make sure to remove the seeds before baking.
• red onion—— Feel free to use white or yellow onions.
• olive oil- Avocado and coconut oil are great alternatives.
• salt and pepper – I prefer kosher salt and fresh pepper.
• Pecan—— You can also use unsalted, chopped walnuts or almonds.
• pasta- If you have macaroni or fusilli on hand, buy it.
• Goat cheese – Plain or vanilla cheeses are best because they don't overpower the other flavors.
• Dried sage – There are also fresh works.
• bacon – You can use regular bacon or thick-cut bacon.
• Pasta water—— The starch in it helps the cheese stick to the pasta better.

What goat cheese should I use?

High-moisture plain goat cheese is best for this type of pasta because it dissolves more easily. It's extra creamy and soft (looks more like a thick paste), unlike the low-moisture variety which is very dry. Complex (or “flavored”) goat cheese will also work as long as the moisture content is high.

How to Make Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta

When you toss it all in, the rich goat cheese melts into the pasta, so you don't have to worry about making a sauce. Scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card.

• Grilled vegetables. Preheat oven to 425F. Place butternut squash and red onion in a large bowl. Season with olive oil, salt and pepper. Stir until completely coated. Spread them evenly on the baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until fork tender.
• Cook the bacon. Place skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 4-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
• Bring pasta to a boil. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes or according to package directions. Reserve 3/4 cup of the cooking water and drain the rest. Set the pasta aside.

• Mix everything. Add roasted vegetables, pecans, cooked bacon, goat cheese, reserved pasta water, and sage to the pot. Stir gently until well combined. Season with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy!

Tips and variations

Adding creamy shrimp and sautéed mushrooms to this creamy goat cheese pasta is an easy way to add protein and clean out the fridge.

• More cheese. Mix 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese with pasta for extra cheesy flavor.
• Make it creamier. Add 1-2 cups heavy cream and goat cheese to the pot and heat over medium-low heat. Simmer and stir for 10-12 minutes, or until goat cheese is completely melted. Fold in the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined.
• Add protein. Place sliced ​​grilled chicken, beef, turkey or Air Fryer Shrimp This is an easy way to make it extra hearty.
• Use leftovers. This is perfect when you have leftovers from different types of short pasta, such as penne and fusilli. Cook them according to package directions and then combine them to make this recipe.
• Make it spicy. Before serving, sprinkle 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper over pasta for extra heat. Chili oil also works.
• More vegetables. Adding 1-2 cups of sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini can help you add more vegetables to your weeknight dinners and reduce food waste.

Food recommendations

This Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta is an easy and delicious weeknight meal. i like with my Air Fryer Chicken Breasts or Grilled Ribeye Steak. If you like seafood, you can try mine Pan-fried Chilean Sea Bass or Grilled Salmon with Garlic Butter. Side dish ideas include mine Arugula Salad, mediterranean saladand Air Fryer Asparagus.

Store correctly

Make sure it is completely cool before refrigerating to prevent spoilage.

• refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. If it tastes sour, discard immediately.
• To reheat: Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon water and microwave in 20 second increments until warm. You can also cook in a pot over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly.

More Pasta Recipes to Try

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