Tomato Goat Cheese Pasta

This tomato goat cheese pasta is simple, fresh, and easy to make. The goat cheese makes the tomato sauce nice and creamy! Ready in about 30 minutes.

I thought I'd try something a little different on the blog with this recipe. I don't often cook with goat's cheese, but I figured since it's a well-loved ingredient, I should aim to get some more recipes with it on my website. I sorta have a complex relationship with cheese (basically I'm very fussy), but I don't want my readers to have to be deprived because of it. 😉

The last time I posted a recipe with goat cheese was back in 2016... wow. Here's the recipe for your reference: Roasted Butternut Squash Spinach Salad with Goat’s Cheese. Update: I also have a Spinach Goat Cheese Pasta recipe now.

This goat cheese pasta sauce is really easy to make. You start by making a tomato sauce base by sautéing the onions and garlic then adding the crushed tomatoes and other seasonings and simmering it for a bit. Stir in the goat cheese and fresh basil, and it's done. I've put this disclaimer in like three places now, but I always try to provide recipe success tips, so here it is: if you're not the world's biggest goat cheese fan, go easy on it. You can always add more to the sauce later on if needed. I think four ounces is a good amount for four servings, but you may feel differently... so build it up gradually. 

Tomato goat cheese pasta recipe notes & tips:

• You can use finely chopped tomatoes (such as Mutti brand offers) if you don't have any crushed tomatoes on hand (they're also fairly thick so it'll give the sauce a good consistency). If you want to use fresh tomatoes, you can, but you may need to do a bit of tweaking/experimenting if you want a thicker sauce because they will take longer to cook down. 
• I used penne, but feel free to use whatever pasta you have on hand.
• If you don't have any fresh basil, you can still make the recipe, but it won't have that pop of freshness. In a pinch, try subbing dried basil (I'd start with 1/2 teaspoon and add more if needed).

More easy pasta recipes to try:

• Easy Pasta Arrabiata Recipe
• Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta
• Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta
• The Best Penne alla Vodka Recipe
• Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad
• Creamy Pasta Primavera

I hope you'll enjoy this easy pasta recipe with goat's cheese.

Questions? Leave me a comment below.

5 from 2 votes

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Tomato Goat Cheese Pasta

This tomato goat cheese pasta is simple, fresh, and easy to make. The goat cheese makes the tomato sauce nice and creamy!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword tomato goat cheese pasta

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 358 kcal

Author Natasha Bull

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 medium onion chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 (14 fluid ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
• 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 4 ounces goat cheese or to taste
• 8 leaves fresh basil sliced thin
• Salt & pepper to taste
• For serving: freshly grated parmesan cheese optional

Instructions

1. Boil a salted pot of water for your pasta. Cook it al dente according to package directions.

2. In a medium saucepan, sauté the onion in the olive oil for 5-7 minutes (ok if it lightly browns).

3. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

4. Add in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (leave them out if you don't want any heat). Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce gently for about 10 minutes.

5. Stir in the goat's cheese and basil (the cheese should melt right in and make the sauce creamy). If you're at all unsure about the taste of goat cheese, add it in gradually and taste as you go. Season with salt & pepper as needed. Serve with the drained pasta (add a splash of the pasta water if you want to thin the sauce out) and freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Recipe Notes

• Goat cheese can be quite strong. If you just want a hint of it, feel free to use half or less than half the recommended amount. I used a 4 ounce soft goat cheese log for this recipe.
• Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition Facts

Tomato Goat Cheese Pasta

Amount Per Serving

Calories 358 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 13mg4%

Sodium 244mg11%

Potassium 446mg13%

Carbohydrates 52g17%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 15g30%

Vitamin A 633IU13%

Vitamin C 11mg13%

Calcium 93mg9%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.