Balsamic Onion & Goat’s Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe
A comforting and flavorful pasta bake featuring tender balsamic-glazed onions and creamy goat’s cheese, layered with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a golden, bubbling finish. Perfect as a hearty vegetarian dinner.
- 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
- 400g short pasta (fusilli or gemelli)
Onion and Sauce
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme (optional)
Cheese and Cream
- 200g goat’s cheese, crumbled
- 200ml double cream
- 100g grated mozzarella
- 50g grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for baking the pasta dish to a golden, bubbly finish.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain well to prevent the dish from becoming watery.
- Sauté the Onions: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly for 15–20 minutes until they turn golden and caramelized.
- Add Balsamic Vinegar: Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook for another 5 minutes until the onions become sticky and flavorful.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, mix the double cream with crumbled goat’s cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Ingredients: In a baking dish, combine the drained pasta, caramelized balsamic onions, and the cheese and cream mixture. Mix well to distribute flavors evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top of the pasta mixture for a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese on top is golden brown and bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with fresh thyme if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious balsamic onion and goat’s cheese pasta bake.
Notes
- Use a sturdy baking dish to ensure even cooking in the oven.
- Caramelizing the onions slowly is key to developing deep, rich flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute double cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative.
- Fresh thyme adds a lovely fragrant note, but it’s optional if you don’t have it on hand.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
Keywords: pasta bake, balsamic onions, goat cheese, vegetarian pasta, baked pasta, comfort food, mozzarella, Parmesan
