Baked Goat Cheese Pasta, an easy and creamy main course that’s ready for the dinner table in just 30 minutes! Plump grape tomatoes and goat cheese bake in the oven until the tomatoes burst and the cheese is warmed to melt-y perfection.
Add some aromatics to the mix and toss in some pasta, and you have a luxuriously creamy pasta dish that takes hardly any effort to prepare. The best kind of dinner situation, if you ask me.
If you ever jumped on board the social media train of the Tik Tok-famous baked feta pasta, then you probably understand the frenzy behind the viral recipe. Juicy cherry tomatoes and feta cheese roast together then blend into an ultra rich and flavorful pasta sauce.
We’ve taken that concept and put our own spin on the original recipe, with creamy goat cheese being the star of the show in this delicious pasta bake!
It’s the perfect meal for quick dinners, Meatless Monday or any night of the week!
Serve it up with some Texas Toast Garlic Bread or a simple side salad like our Little Gem Caesar Salad or Strawberry Spinach Salad.
Why This Baked Goat Cheese Pasta is so Good
Our Goat Cheese Pasta bake is the best way to get a quick meal on the table- one you know the whole family will rave about!
You don’t even have to be a goat cheese lover to enjoy the luxurious pasta sauce. The roasted tomatoes lighten up the richness of the goat cheese, and the sauce is enhanced by the savory flavors of fresh garlic and shallot.
Finish off the dish with salty olives, fresh spinach and basil for an irresistible combination of textures and flavors.
Since it all bakes together in one casserole dish, this recipe also checks the box for easy cleanup! Another reason to make it your new favorite pasta dinner.
This goat cheese baked pasta dish is:
- Quick and easy the whole way through- from preparation to cleanup!
- A flavorful, comfort food pasta dish that works any night of the week.
- Made with simple ingredients and easy to adapt.
Ingredients Needed Baked Goat Cheese Pasta
This recipe is so simple, you’ll be amazed at how tasty the final dish is!
Here’s an overview of the ingredients you’ll need but check out the recipe card for all of the ingredient amounts.
- Grape tomatoes. Fresh grape tomatoes roast in the baking dish- no need to get out that jar of marinara sauce!
- Aromatics. Shallot and garlic add a wonderful, savory flavor to the sauce.
- Herbs and seasonings. A little bit of salt, freshly-ground black pepper and dried thyme do a whole lot for creating the perfect flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil. You’ll drizzle the oil over the tomatoes and aromatics to help it roast.
- Goat cheese. You will need a plain goat cheese log for this recipe.
- Penne pasta and pasta water. We like penne pasta for this dish but you could use any pasta shape you prefer. Make sure to reserve a 1/2 cup pasta water for later, it helps to thin the sauce.
- Kalamata olives. Salty Kalamata olives are tossed in at the end for a briny, salty finish!
- Fresh baby spinach, fresh basil leaves and fresh thyme. Baby spinach, basil and fresh thyme add a pop of green and herbaceous flavor
How to Make Baked Goat Cheese Pasta
The cooking process couldn’t be easier! Here’s a quick look at the steps required to making baked goat cheese pasta, but be sure to check out the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all of the details.
in a large baking dish, add the tomatoes, shallot, garlic, salt and pepper. Toss with half the olive oil.
Place goat cheese in the center of the tomatoes and drizzle with the rest of the oil. Sprinkle the dried thyme on top of the cheese log.
Bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes or until the tomatoes are blistered and the cheese is soft and slightly melted. Cook the pasta, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Add the olives, spinach, basil and thyme leaves to the tomato mixture.
Toss with the tomatoes and goat cheese, breaking up the cheese. Add a little pasta water until the sauce is creamy. Toss in the cooked pasta.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
More Pasta Recipes
Tips for Success
- For a different flavor profile, you can substitute plain goat cheese for an herbed goat cheese log!
- We used penne pasta but you can choose any shape of pasta such as radiatori, rigatoni, cavatappi or even one of the fun shapes like trottole.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water but keep in mind, you may not need that much. Simply add small amounts at a time until the creamy sauce has thinned out a bit and reaches the right consistency.
- To store, place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 7 days. Reheat the pasta in the microwave or in an oven at 325°F until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
Baked goat cheese pasta is a delicious comfort food that naturally pairs well with any of the standard pasta dinner sides! Salad, a slice of warm bread or a dinner roll can complete the meal. Here are a few ideas on what to serve with baked pasta.
- Greek Easter Bread
- Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad
- No-knead Focaccia Bread
- Spelt Sourdough Bread
- Glazed Rainbow Carrots
- Roasted Romanesco
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love:
Easy Fried Spaghetti with Leftover Pasta is the best way to make use of spaghetti leftovers! The pasta is fried pancake-style to get a perfectly crisp outer crust! Slice it up like a pizza and top it with extra cheese and marinara for a fun and original dinner idea.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta features tender chicken tossed with pasta in a spicy and tangy buffalo sauce! With five types of cheeses, it’s a creamy comfort food dish that packs a flavorful punch!
Our Duck Pasta recipe is an exquisite dish that will please any palate! This elegant meal is surprisingly simple to prepare and comes together in 30 minutes! and will leave you savoring every single bite.
Our tomato confite gives you concentrated tomato flavor that tastes great stirred into pasta for last minute meals.
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Baked Goat Cheese Pasta
Ingredients
- 24 oz. grape tomatoes
- 1 large shallot sliced
- 3 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 8 ounce goat cheese log
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- ½ cup Kalamata olives rinsed and drained
- 2 cups 8 oz. fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup ¾ oz. fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425°F
- To a 9×13 inch baking dish, add the tomatoes, shallot, garlic, salt and pepper. Toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
- With a spoon, clear away an area of the tomatoes in the center of the dish and place the goat cheese log in the cleared area. Drizzle the goat cheese with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle the dried thyme over the top of the goat cheese.
- Transfer the dish to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the tomatoes are blistered and the cheese has become soft and slightly melted.
- While the tomatoes and goat cheese are baking, cook the pasta according to the manufacturer's’ directions. Drain the pasta reserving ½ cup of the pasta water. Reserve the pasta, covered, in the pan to stay warm.
- Transfer the dish from the oven and add the olives, spinach, basil, and thyme leaves. Toss with the tomatoes and goat cheese, breaking up the cheese and adding a little of the reserved pasta water until there is a creamy sauce and the spinach and basil wilt; then add the pasta tossing to combine. Serve immediately with warm crusty bread.
Notes
- Try subbing a herb-crusted goat cheese log for variation.
- We used penne pasta but you can choose any shaped pasta such as radiatori, rigatoni, cavatappi or even one of the fun shapes such as trottole.
- It may not take the entire reserved pasta water, use a small amount then add additional water to make a creamy sauce.
