Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta Recipe

this Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta Roasted butternut squash, crispy bacon and nutty pecans have fall flavors that will blow your mind. This is a cozy dinner for a cool fall weeknight.

Why you'll love this pasta recipe

If you love your weeknight pasta, this Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta with Vegetables and Sage will be the new addition to your dinner menu.

• Fancy—but simple. Despite the enhanced flair from goat cheese and wood sage, all you have to do is roast and toss everything together.
• Great for fall. This cheesy pasta recipe is a great way to pack your dinner with fall flavors like tender butternut squash and fragrant sage.
• versatile Use different types of pasta, add leftover vegetables or spice it up if you like.
• Perfect for meal prep. Roast veggies and cook bacon ahead of time for quick dinners throughout the week.

What you will need

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

• Butternut Squash- Make sure you remove the seeds before roasting.
• red onion- Feel free to use white or yellow onions.
• olive oil- Avocado and coconut oil are great swaps.
• salt and pepper- I like kosher salt and freshly-cracked pepper.
• pecans – You can also use unsalted, chopped walnuts or almonds.
• Rigatoni – Go for penne or fusilli if you have it on hand.
• Goat cheese- Plain or herbed cheeses are best because they won't overpower the rest of the flavors.
• dry sage- Fresh work too.
• bacon – You can use regular or thick cut bacon for this.
• pasta water – The starch in it helps the cheese adhere better to the pasta.

Should I use goat cheese?

High moisture, plain goat cheese is best for making this pasta because it makes it easier to dissolve. It is especially creamy and soft (it feels more like a thick paste), unlike the low moisture varieties which are very dry. Compound (or “flavored”) goat cheese works as long as it has more moisture.

How to Make Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta

The tangy goat cheese melts into the pasta when you toss everything so you don't have to worry about making the sauce. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.

• Fry the vegetables. Preheat oven to 425F. Add the butternut squash and red onion to a large bowl. Season with olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss until completely coated. Spread them evenly on the baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until fork-tender.
• Cook the bacon. Place a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook it for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove it from the heat and set it on a paper towel-lined plate to soak up excess grease.
• Boil the pasta. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it 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 pasta aside.

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

Tips and variations

Adding buttery 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 and 1/4 cup crumbled feta with the pasta for an extra cheesy bite.
• Make it creamier. Add 1-2 cups heavy cream and goat cheese to a pot over medium-low heat. Simmer and stir for 10-12 minutes, or until the goat cheese is completely melted. Fold in the rest of the ingredients and mix until well combined.
• Add protein. Top the dish with slices of grilled chicken, beef, or turkey Air fryer shrimp It's an easy way to make it extra hearty.
• Use leftovers. It's perfect when you have leftover bits of various small pastas like penne and fusilli. Cook them according to the package directions and combine them to make this recipe.
• Make it spicy. Sprinkle 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper over pasta just before serving for heat. Peppermint oil also works.
• More vegetables. Adding 1-2 cups of sautéed mushrooms, spinach or zucchini can help you sneak more veggies into your weeknight meals and reduce food waste.

Serving advice

This creamy goat cheese pasta is an easy-yet-fancy weeknight meal. I love serving it with me Air Fryer Chicken Breast or Grilled Ribeye Steak. If you love seafood, try this with me Pan seared Chilean sea bass or Garlic Butter Baked Salmon. Side dish ideas include mine Arugula salad, Mediterranean saladAnd Air Fryer Asparagus.

Proper storage

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

• Fridge: Keep it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. If it tastes sour, discard immediately.
• To reheat it: Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon water and microwave in 20 second increments until heated through. You can use a pot on medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly.

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