Description
This Balsamic Onion & Goat’s Cheese Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish combining al dente pasta with caramelized balsamic onions and creamy goat’s cheese. Topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan, it’s a perfect vegetarian baked pasta that’s rich, tangy, and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400g short pasta (fusilli or gemelli)
Onions & Sauce
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme (optional)
Cheeses & Cream
- 200g goat’s cheese, crumbled
- 200ml double cream
- 100g grated mozzarella
- 50g grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it’s ready for baking the pasta later.
- Boil Pasta: Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain thoroughly to avoid sogginess in the bake.
- Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and slowly cook the sliced onions for 15–20 minutes until they become golden and soft.
- Add Balsamic Vinegar: Stir in the balsamic vinegar with the onions and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the mixture becomes sticky and fragrant.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine the double cream and crumbled goat’s cheese, seasoning well with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix the cooked pasta and balsamic onions into the cheese mixture, then transfer everything into a baking dish evenly.
- Add Cheese Toppings: Sprinkle grated mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top to create a golden crust as it bakes.
- Bake the Pasta: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the topping is golden and bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, optionally garnish with fresh thyme before serving for an aromatic touch.
Notes
- You can use other short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni if fusilli or gemelli are unavailable.
- Cooking onions slowly is key to developing their sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Double cream can be substituted with heavy cream if preferred, but use full-fat for best results.
- Fresh thyme adds a lovely herbal note but can be omitted or replaced with rosemary.
- To make this dish gluten free, use gluten-free pasta instead of regular pasta.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
Keywords: balsamic onion pasta bake, goat cheese pasta, baked pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta bake, creamy pasta bake
