Garden Greens And Goat Cheese Pasta Food

TOMATO GOAT CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Boil a salted pot of water for your pasta. Cook it al dente according to package directions.
• In a medium saucepan, sauté the onion in the olive oil for 5-7 minutes over medium heat (ok if it lightly browns).
• Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• 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.
• 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.

CREAMY GOAT CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta: Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
• Make sauce: Heat the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until the garlic becomes aromatic. Add the goat cheese, half and half and stir. Whisk until smooth.
• Add pasta: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the cooked penne and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir well to coat the pasta and let it bubble in the sauce for 1-2 minutes.
• Finish: If you'd like a thinner sauce, add more of the pasta water as needed. Mix in the basil, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the lemon juice and zest and more pasta water if needed. Turn off the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
• Garnish and serve: Garnish with parsley and serve.

BAKED GOAT CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the tomatoes, garlic, shallot, oregano and red pepper flakes to a 9 x 13 baking dish. Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss to combine. Nestle the goat cheese in the dish among the other ingredients and drizzle with the last tablespoon of olive oil. Bake until the tomatoes have blistered and the goat cheese has melted slightly, 22 to 25 minutes.
• While the tomatoes and goat cheese bake, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
• Remove the tomatoes and goat cheese from the oven. Add the pesto and begin tossing everything together, breaking up the goat cheese as you go and adding a little pasta water, until you have a creamy consistency. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat. Serve hot garnished with the fresh basil.

ORECCHIETTE WITH MIXED GREENS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the water.
• In medium bowl, mix the salad greens with the sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, and Parmesan. Top with warm pasta and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss to combine and wilt the greens. Season with a pinch each of salt and pepper, or to taste. Garnish with additional Parmesan, if desired, and serve.