Balsamic Onion & Goat’s Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe
A flavorful and comforting Balsamic Onion & Goat’s Cheese Pasta Bake featuring tender pasta combined with caramelized balsamic onions and creamy goat’s cheese, baked to a golden bubbly perfection and topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese
- 400g short pasta (fusilli or gemelli)
- 200g goat’s cheese, crumbled
- 100g grated mozzarella
- 50g grated Parmesan
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme (optional)
Other
- 200ml double cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the pasta dish.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the short pasta until al dente according to package instructions, then drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Caramelize Onions: In a pan, heat olive oil over medium-low heat and slowly cook the thinly sliced onions for 15 to 20 minutes until they turn golden and soft, developing deep flavor.
- Add Balsamic Vinegar: Stir in the balsamic vinegar with the caramelized onions and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the mixture becomes sticky and richly flavored.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine the double cream and crumbled goat’s cheese, seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste, creating a creamy sauce that will coat the pasta.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix the cooked pasta, balsamic onions, and cheese mixture thoroughly in a baking dish ensuring even distribution of flavors.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the combined pasta and onion mixture to create a flavorful, golden crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese topping is golden brown and bubbling, signaling the dish is hot and ready.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with fresh thyme if desired, serving the pasta bake hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Use short pasta shapes like fusilli or gemelli for better sauce adherence.
- Cooking the onions slowly allows maximum sweetness and flavor development.
- Adjust seasoning carefully, especially salt, since cheeses can be salty.
- Fresh thyme adds an herbal note but is optional.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best results.
Keywords: Balsamic Onion, Goat's Cheese, Pasta Bake, Vegetarian, Comfort Food, Baked Pasta, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Creamy Pasta
