Description

This creamy Balsamic Onion & Goat’s Cheese Pasta Bake combines tender pasta with sweet, caramelized balsamic onions and tangy goat’s cheese. Topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan, this baked dish offers a comforting blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a cozy family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

400g short pasta (fusilli or gemelli)

Onions & Sauce

2 large onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
200ml double cream
200g goat’s cheese, crumbled
Salt & black pepper to taste
Fresh thyme (optional)

Cheese Topping

100g grated mozzarella
50g grated Parmesan

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking by the time your pasta mixture is ready.
Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain it thoroughly and set aside.
Caramelize Onions: In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook them slowly for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become golden and soft.
Add Balsamic Vinegar: Stir in the balsamic vinegar with the onions and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the mixture becomes sticky and richly caramelized.
Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine the double cream with the crumbled goat’s cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, mixing until smooth.
Combine Pasta and Onions: Mix the cooked pasta and caramelized onions into the cheese and cream mixture, ensuring everything is well incorporated.
Assemble Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture into a baking dish, then evenly sprinkle the grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the pasta bake from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme if desired. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

Use short pasta shapes like fusilli or gemelli for best texture and sauce adhesion.
Caramelizing onions slowly is essential to develop their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
Feel free to substitute double cream with a lighter cream for a lower-calorie version.
Adding fresh thyme enhances the flavor but can be omitted if not available.
This pasta bake can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; increase baking time slightly if baking from cold.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Pasta Bake
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: balsamic onion pasta bake, goat cheese pasta bake, baked pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta bake, creamy pasta casserole