Pasta With Goat Cheese, Spinach and Walnuts Recipe

August 2024 · 2 minute read
Democracy Dies in Darknessclock30 minscourseMainNo ratings yetStart CookingComment on this storyAdd to your saved recipes

Tangy goat cheese and starchy pasta water come together to create a light, creamy sauce that coats each pasta strand. The recipe works well with fettuccine or linguine, too. Arugula or blanched asparagus cut into bite-size pieces can be used in place of spinach. If adding the optional bacon, lightly salt the pasta water to avoid over-salting the dish.

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

From recipes editor Ann Maloney

Story continues below advertisement

Advertisement

Ingredients

measuring cup

Servings: 4-6

Directions

Time Icon Total: 30 mins

  • Step 1

    In a large pot of salted boiling water over medium-high heat, cook the pasta about 2 minutes short of package instructions. Drain, reserving 4 cups of the pasta water.

  • Step 2

    Carefully wipe out any residual water from the pot and return it to medium-high heat. Add the oil and heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  • Step 3

    If the goat cheese is in a log, cut it into about 6 pieces. Add the goat cheese, oregano and cayenne and 2 cups of the pasta water and stir until the cheese is melted and well combined, about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the spinach and parsley and cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is just wilted, 2 to 3 minutes, adding splashes of additional pasta water as needed.

  • Step 4

    Remove the pot from the heat and add half of the cooked pasta. Using a large fork or tongs, gently toss until the noodles are well coated. Add the remaining pasta and repeat until all of the pasta is coated in a thin sauce. Add additional pasta water if the noodles seem too dry.

  • Step 5

    Transfer the pasta to a big serving bowl. Sprinkle it with the walnuts and bacon, if using. Gently toss once more, sprinkle parsley on top and serve family-style.

  • Step 6

    Correction: In an earlier version of this recipe, the nutritional analysis was incorrect. It has been updated.

    • Story continues below advertisement

    Advertisement

    Nutritional Facts

    Per serving (based on 6, without bacon)

    This analysis is an estimate based on available ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s or nutritionist’s advice.

    From recipes editor Ann Maloney

    Tested by Ann Maloney.

    Published June 29, 2020

    ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uK3SoaCnn6Sku7G70q1lnKedZL%2Bmr8ipnKxnoJbAta2MoKaarF2Ytaax0p5krKiZo66ktIyapZ1lp5a5r8HTrGY%3D