Goat cheese makes a tangy pasta dish, no sauce needed

Instead of pondering another run-of-the-mill line of jarred marinara or alfredo sauces, goat cheese is the only ingredient you need for a tangy, creamy pasta sauce. Known for its tangy and tangy flavor, goat cheese encompasses many varieties, textures and flavor profiles, from cheddar to brie to blue cheese. While any type of goat cheese makes a flavorful and rich addition to pasta, how you incorporate it into a pasta dish depends on how firm or creamy it is.

The most common varieties of goat cheese are soft, spreadable goat cheeses made into wrapped logs. This variety is also the easiest to break down and blend into a sauce. The residual heat from the pasta plus a splash of hot water for the pasta is enough to transform a log of goat cheese into a sumptuous velvety sauce that will coat the pasta and any add-ins. Additionally, goat cheese logs come in a variety of flavors and are often marinated in herb- or tomato-infused oils, adding even more complexity to a pasta dish.

Soft goat’s cheese is either fresh or matured for up to two weeks, and has a pronounced, tangy finish. A harder goat cheese, on the other hand, will bring more complex aromatic notes, ranging from nutty to smoky. You can also grate these firmer cheeses over fresh, hot pasta with a little melted butter for a gooey consistency that will stick to the noodles and create a decadent, pull-your-own dish. Therefore, shorter, fatter pasta shapes like conchiglie, macaroni, rigatoni and farfalle are ideal.

Read more: 26 Types of Pasta Sauce Explained

Try these great combinations of pasta, goat cheese and add-ins

Although goat cheese is a simple, one-ingredient substitute for pasta sauce, you can always jazz it up with pantry staples like herbs, spices, citrus, oil and butter. Plus, heartier toppings and add-ins like meat and vegetables will make your pasta a more complete meal. A little pasta water will melt and thicken the goat cheese sauce to form a cohesive layer. The salty, starchy water will also soften and season the tangy cheese. However, a pinch of fresh cracked pepper or red pepper flakes would make the perfect spicy addition.

You can also grate lemon zest and fresh garlic to incorporate into the creamy goat cheese for a burst of aromatic and citrus flavors. Onion powder, garlic powder, and lemon pepper would be a great seasoning trio. Fresh rosemary, thyme, tarragon and parsley as well as dried oregano and sage are also flavorful, herbal complements to tangy, gamey goat cheese. As for add-ins, goat cheese pairs well with sweet ingredients like candied butternut squash, sweet potatoes, beets and dried fruit.

Use a log of goat cheese instead of butter with sage for a delicious sauce for sweet potato gnocchi. The robust flavors of umami and bitterness also pair well with goat cheese; Strips of steak, Brussels sprouts, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and mushrooms would all be delicious as goat cheese pasta inclusions. And a sprinkling of Parmesan and a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts, pistachios, or walnuts would provide a nice crunchy contrast and flavorful complement to your goat cheese sauce.

Read the original article on the tasting table.