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Balsamic Onion & Goat’s Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 54 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Balsamic Onion & Goat’s Cheese Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender short pasta baked with sweet, slow-cooked balsamic onions, creamy goat’s cheese, and a melty topping of mozzarella and Parmesan. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this bake combines rich dairy and tangy vinegar for a deliciously satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Cheese

  • 400g short pasta (fusilli or gemelli)
  • 200g goat’s cheese, crumbled
  • 100g grated mozzarella
  • 50g grated Parmesan

Vegetables and Flavorings

  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
  • Fresh thyme (optional)

Dairy

  • 200ml double cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it’s ready for baking the pasta dish later on.
  2. Cook the pasta: Boil the short pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside. The pasta should be slightly firm to hold up well in the bake.
  3. Cook the onions: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, then slowly cook the thinly sliced onions for 15–20 minutes until they become golden and soft, developing sweet caramelization.
  4. Add balsamic vinegar: Stir in the balsamic vinegar to the onions and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the vinegar to reduce and coat the onions, making them sticky and flavorful.
  5. Prepare the cheese mixture: In a bowl, combine the double cream and crumbled goat’s cheese, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Mix until smooth.
  6. Combine ingredients: In a baking dish, mix together the cooked pasta, balsamic onions, and the creamy goat’s cheese mixture evenly.
  7. Add toppings: Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top of the combined pasta mixture.
  8. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly, signaling the cheese is melted and the bake is cooked through.
  9. Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • For a stronger onion flavor, use red onions instead of white.
  • You can substitute double cream with heavy cream or full-fat crème fraîche for a slightly different texture.
  • If goat’s cheese is not available, feta can be used as a substitute but will change the flavor profile.
  • Fresh thyme adds a lovely herbal note, but dried thyme can be used if fresh is not available.
  • If you prefer a crunchier top, you can broil the pasta bake for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: European

Keywords: baked pasta, balsamic onion pasta, goat cheese pasta bake, comfort food, vegetarian dinner, cheesy pasta bake

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Find it online: https://flavorbylily.com/balsamic-onion-and-goats-cheese-pasta-bake-recipe/