How to Make a Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta Sauce

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

If you want a pasta sauce that is rich and easy to prepare, try making a creamy goat cheese pasta sauce! This versatile sauce offers a velvety texture and a distinctive tangy flavor that elevates any pasta dish. Whether you’re whipping up a quick weekday meal or planning a gourmet dinner, this recipe will become a new favorite. With its smooth and creamy consistency, it’s easy to use in many ways. You’ll wish you had tried it earlier!

Why Goat Cheese Works Perfectly for Pasta Sauce

Goat cheese brings a unique flavor profile to pasta sauce that you won’t find with other cheeses. Its tanginess cuts through the richness, creating a balanced and satisfying dish. Unlike some cheeses that can become stringy or oily when melted, goat cheese melts beautifully into a smooth, creamy sauce. Which means the best goat cheese for pasta is one that melts well. If we dive deeper into French vs. Italian goat cheese traditions, we find that goat cheese is incorporated into many dishes from these regions. France favors Crottin de Chavignol in some of its sauces and Italy incorporates fresh goat cheese into ravioli fillings and more.

Ingredients You’ll Need (+ Substitutions)

Here’s what you’ll need to create this delectable sauce:

• 4 ounces Goat Cheese (Chevre or a mild, creamy variety)
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup Vegetable Broth
• 1/4 cup Heavy Cream (See Substitutions)
• 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Fresh Herbs (basil, thyme, or oregano), chopped (Optional)

Substitutions:

• Dairy-Free: For a vegan goat cheese pasta sauce, substitute the goat cheese with a plant-based goat cheese alternative and use full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream instead of heavy cream.
• Heavy Cream: To reduce calories or for a lighter sauce, substitute heavy cream with milk, half-and-half, or a non dairy milk such as almond milk or oat milk. Using cornstarch or tapioca flour can help thicken the sauce.
• Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free goat cheese pasta. Brown rice or quinoa pasta work well.

For a Cost Analysis, consider using store brand items, or goat cheese logs in bulk rather than pre-crumbled goat cheese, which is often more expensive. Don’t forget the fresh herbs!

How to Make Goat Cheese Pasta Sauce (with Pro Tips)

Pro Tips:

• Melting Goat Cheese: Don’t overheat the sauce when melting the goat cheese. Low and slow is best to prevent it from becoming grainy.
• Sauce Too Thick? Reserved pasta water is your best friend! The starch in water helps the sauce stick together, making it smooth and enjoyable to eat.
• Sauce Too Thin? Simmer the sauce for a few minutes longer to reduce the liquid, or you can mix 01 teaspoon of cornstarch with 01 tablespoon of cold water and then add this mixture to the sauce.

7+ Delicious Variations to Try

1. Sun-Dried Tomato: Add 1/4 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained) to the sauce while it simmers.
2. Mushroom: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic before adding the vegetable broth.
3. Spicy: Add a little of red pepper flakes to the garlic as it sautés.
4. Spinach: Incorporate a generous handful of fresh spinach leaves at the end of cooking until wilted. This is a great twist to making Goat cheese pasta with spinach
5. Vegan Delight: Use vegan goat cheese and dairy free milk for a creamy and satisfying dish
6. French-Inspired (Crottin de Chavignol): Use crumbled Crottin de Chavignol goat cheese and add a splash of dry white wine to the sauce.
7. Summer Herb: Use a combination of fresh basil, thyme, and oregano.
8. Winter Comfort: Add roasted butternut squash or pumpkin puree to the sauce for a warm, comforting flavor.
9. Goat Cheese Sauce for Lasagna: Use this sauce in place of ricotta cheese in lasagna. Thin it slightly with milk or vegetable broth for easier layering.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

This creamy goat cheese pasta sauce pairs well with a variety of proteins, vegetables, and wines.

• Proteins: Grilled chicken, shrimp, sausage, or pan-seared scallops.
• Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, or sautéed spinach.
• Wine: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or a crisp rosé.
• For a unique pairing, this sauce is great for a goat cheese sauce for pizza or as a sauce for sauce for ravioli.

Storing and Reheating Your Sauce

• Storing: Keep leftover sauce in a closed container. Put it in the fridge. It will stay good for 3 days.
• Freezing: freeze the sauce for up to 2 months. To use it again, take it out the night before and put it in the fridge to thaw. Then, you can heat it up.
• Reheating: The sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk or water if needed to thin the sauce. This works great for meal prep

Health Benefits of Goat Cheese Pasta Sauce

Goat cheese has many health benefits:

• Lower Lactose: Goat cheese generally contains less lactose than cow’s milk cheese, making it easier to digest for some people with lactose intolerance.
• High Protein: It has a lot of protein, which is important for helping your body grow and fix itself.

Here’s a sample nutritional table:

Nutrition per Serving (1/4 cup sauce)
Calories: 120	Protein: 5g	Fat: 10g	Carbs: 2g

 This makes the sauce a lower-calorie, high-protein option for your dishes!

Conclusion

Here’s a simple and tasty goat cheese pasta sauce that you can easily make at home. It’s creamy, tangy, and really delicious! You can use it for quick dinners or special meals. The options are many! Now, it’s your turn to try it! Get your favorite pasta, gather your ingredients, and have fun making your own versions. We are excited to see what yummy dishes you create. Enjoy cooking!

Goat Cheese Pasta Sauce FAQs

Who Should Skip This Recipe

e want everyone to enjoy the joys of cooking, but this particular recipe might not be a fit for everyone. Here’s a little heads-up if any of these apply to you:

• Lactose Intolerance: While goat cheese generally has less lactose than cow’s milk cheese, it still contains some. If you’re highly sensitive, this might not be the best option. Check out our Vegan Delight variation!
• Dairy Allergy: If you have a true dairy allergy, even goat cheese is off-limits. The vegan version is definitely your friend here.
• Sodium Concerns: If you’re watching your sodium intake, be mindful of the salt you add and choose low-sodium vegetable broth.
• Keto or Low-Carb Diets: Classic pasta isn’t keto-friendly due to its high carbohydrate content. While the sauce itself is relatively low in carbs, you’d need to pair it with a keto-friendly pasta alternative (like zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles) to make it a keto meal.
• Not a Fan of Tangy Flavors?: If you really dislike tangy flavors, goat cheese might not be your cup of tea! However, the tanginess can be balanced with sweeter additions like roasted red peppers or caramelized onions.
• Allergies: Goat Cheese: If you know you are allergic to goat cheese, consider another recipe.

We believe in inclusivity in the kitchen, so if this recipe doesn’t work for you, don’t worry! We have many more recipes waiting for you to discover:

• cranberry recipes for thanksgiving cups phyllo dough
• How To Cook Ditalini Pasta Recipe: Creamy and Delicious
• Cottage Cheese and Fruit Combinations
• One-Skillet Cheesy Ground Chicken Pasta recipe