Balsamic Onion & Goat’s Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe
A comforting and flavorful pasta bake featuring tender balsamic caramelized onions and creamy goat’s cheese, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan for a golden, bubbly finish. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a make-ahead meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400g short pasta (fusilli or gemelli work great)
Onion Mixture
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme (optional)
Cheese Mixture
- 200g goat’s cheese, crumbled
- 200ml double cream
- 100g grated mozzarella
- 50g grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) to get it ready for baking the pasta dish later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain it well and set aside.
- Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until they become golden and soft, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Add Balsamic Vinegar: Stir in the balsamic vinegar with the onions and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the onion mixture is sticky and well coated.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine the double cream and crumbled goat’s cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, mixing until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix the cooked pasta and caramelized onions with the goat cheese and cream mixture. Transfer everything into a baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle fresh thyme over the top if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute goat’s cheese with feta or cream cheese if preferred.
- For a stronger onion flavor, cook the onions a bit longer to deepen their caramelization.
- If you want a lighter version, substitute double cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative.
- This dish reheats well and can be made ahead of time for convenience.
- Adding fresh herbs like thyme at the end enhances the aroma and visual appeal.
Keywords: balsamic onion pasta bake, goat cheese pasta, baked pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta bake, comfort food pasta
