Tired of the gummy noodle side dishes from a pouch or a box? Looking for something deliciously different? Rich and tangy with a hint of sweetness, goat cheese and apple pasta fills the bill. I’ll show you how to Go Boxless and create something your family will rave over.
The idea for this pasta came about after making a spread with similar ingredients for stuffed endive. There are many versions to be found on the internet and this pasta is great choice to serve on its own or as a side to pan fried pork chops.
I found this on AllRecipes.com to use as my inspiration. He used ditalini but other short pasta you have on hand will work. I used a broad ribbon pasta called mafalda. It looks like mini lasagna noodles. Even though I left the peel on the apples the end product, while extremely tasty, is rather blah looking. Next time I’ll add some broccoli to add more color.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups uncooked small pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 small onion, diced
- 1 – 2 apples, cored and diced into bite sized pieces
- 1 cup broth (chicken or vegetable)
- 4 ounces creamy goat cheese
- 1 – 2 ounces cream cheese (optional, great for reducing the sharpness of the goat cheese)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (toasting optional)
- 1 cup more or less cooked chopped broccoli (optional)
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- pinch cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water. Drain when cooked. Reserve some of the pasta water in case you need it to thin down the sauce.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large saucepan or dutch oven and saute the onions and apples until softened
- Add the broth and continue to cook.
- Stir in the goat cheese, cayenne pepper and thyme; allow goat cheese to melt. Add some reserved pasta water to thin the sauce, add more goat cheese or cream cheese if you need more. (If you forgot to reserve some pasta water you can add milk, cream or more broth).
- Mix in the drained pasta and stir well until all the noodles are covered with the sauce.
- Gently fold in the walnuts and broccoli, if using.
- Taste and adjust seasonings.
I love that this is such a light healty and flavorful version of mac and cheese. Love goat cheese, walnut, and apple combo. Thanks for bringing it to foodie friday.
You had me at goat cheese!! Thanks for sharing with us at LOBS!
Another delicious looking dish! I will have to try this one too! Thanks for sharing and linking up with Countdown in Style! Don’t forget to come back on Friday to see if you were featured!
~~April~~
100lbCountdown.com
I love the idea of going boxless and making the stuff that people buy in packages at home..I also enjoy making the recipes healthier, too! I just shared a whole wheat mac and cheese recipe over the stove and an oatmeal tip which can be an alternative to those packets of oatmeal flavors people buy. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Countdown in Style! Don’t forget to stop by Friday to see if you are featured! xo
We had pork chops with apples and onions last night but I never would have thought to put apples and onions in a pasta with goat cheese (which I love). I will have to pin this to my personal board and give it a try! Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.
Pork chops with apples and onions sounds great. I hope you like them teamed up with goat cheese. Thanks!
This looks divine! Never had goat cheese before but definitely trying this. Thanks for the recipe!
It’s so good, Ritchil. Like cream cheese with a little tang. I hope you like it 🙂
Wow. Looks amazing. You had me at goat cheese.
Goat’s cheese is my faaaavourite, and it goes so well with apples (I’ve made goat’s cheese and apple dauphinoise potatoes before – amazing!). This looks gorgeous!
Ooooh I’m going to have to look into the dauphine potatoes w goat cheese and apples!
oh, this sounds wonderful. I love cheese and apple together, but never thought of putting them on pasta. yum!
That looks nice!