Balsamic Onion & Goat’s Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe
A comforting and indulgent pasta bake featuring caramelized balsamic onions and tangy goat’s cheese, baked with creamy double cream and topped with mozzarella and Parmesan for a golden, bubbling finish. Perfect for cozy gatherings or a hearty weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Dairy
- 400g short pasta (fusilli or gemelli)
- 200g goat’s cheese, crumbled
- 200ml double cream
- 100g grated mozzarella
- 50g grated Parmesan
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) to get it ready for baking later.
- Cook the pasta. Boil the short pasta until just al dente, then drain and set aside. Under-cooking slightly helps it finish cooking in the bake.
- Caramelize the onions. Heat olive oil in a pan over low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly for 15–20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until they turn golden and soft.
- Add balsamic vinegar. Pour in the balsamic vinegar and stir to combine. Cook for another 5 minutes until the mixture becomes sticky and concentrated in flavor.
- Prepare the cheese mixture. In a bowl, mash the goat’s cheese with a fork, then mix in the double cream. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Optionally, add a pinch of nutmeg for extra depth.
- Combine ingredients. In a baking dish, gently fold together the cooked pasta, caramelized onions, and the cheese-cream mixture. Add reserved pasta water if the mixture looks too thick.
- Add cheese toppings. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake the pasta. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden, bubbly, and slightly crispy.
- Garnish and serve. Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh thyme if desired. Serve warm, accompanied by a crisp salad or garlic bread.
Notes
- Rich source of calcium and protein due to generous cheese content.
- Slow cooking the onions is key to avoid bitterness and achieve jammy sweetness.
- Goat cheese should be at room temperature before mixing to avoid grainy sauce.
- Can be made a day ahead; cover and refrigerate after combining, then add extra baking time.
- Freeze before baking for best texture; thaw overnight and bake as directed.
- Variations include adding spicy sausage, mushrooms, or substituting goat cheese with ricotta or cream cheese.
Keywords: balsamic onion pasta bake, goat cheese pasta, creamy pasta bake, baked pasta recipe, comfort food pasta
