Description
A rich and tangy pasta dish made with creamy goat cheese, garlic, lemon, and spinach. Quick, comforting, and full of flavor — perfect for weeknights or casual dinner parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces dry pasta (such as linguine or spaghetti)
- 6 ounces goat cheese, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Sauté garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Return hot pasta to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Add goat cheese, sautéed garlic with oil, lemon zest and juice, and a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Stir vigorously until cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Add more pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Toss in baby spinach and stir until just wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately with extra lemon zest or herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use room temperature goat cheese for smoother melting.
- Don’t skip the reserved pasta water — it’s essential for the sauce.
- Customize with cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken, or fresh herbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: goat cheese pasta, creamy pasta, vegetarian pasta, quick pasta, tangy cheese sauce