Goat Cheese Pasta

Name: Goat Cheese Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces fettuccine; 2 tablespoons olive oil; ½ tablespoon butter; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 6 ounces baby spinach; salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste); 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese (or use feta cheese)

by Katerina

5 from 1 vote

Oct 17, 2016, Updated Jun 19, 2025

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This goat cheese pasta is one of my favorite weeknight dinners! It’s creamy, tangy, and ready in just 15 minutes. Warm fettuccine melts the goat cheese into a silky sauce, with fresh spinach folded in for a quick, satisfying meal that feels a little fancy without much effort.

A skillet with fettuccine pasta combined with baby spinach leaves and crumbled goat cheese.

Why I keep coming back to this goat cheese pasta

It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s loaded with flavor. The goat cheese melts right into the hot fettuccine and turns into a creamy sauce that tastes way fancier than it is.
There’s no actual cream here! I make this pasta with just a handful of ingredients, doing their thing. And the spinach sneaks in some greens without anyone complaining.
Fancy, but simple. Honestly, it’s the kind of dinner I throw together when I’ve got zero time but still want something that feels a little special. It’s even easier than my other plain, but just as fabulous spinach pasta with garlic butter.

What You’ll Need

Fettuccine – This wide, ribbon-like pasta is perfect for catching all that creamy goat cheese sauce. You can swap in linguine or spaghetti if needed.
Olive oil and butter – A combo of both gives you richness and just the right amount of fat to sauté the garlic and wilt the spinach.
Garlic – Four cloves might sound like a lot, but it’s key for flavor! Mince it fresh for the best results.
Baby spinach – It cooks down quickly and adds a fresh, earthy contrast to the creamy pasta.
Salt and black pepper – Season to taste. Goat cheese already has some saltiness, so adjust gently at the end.
Goat cheese – The cheese melts into the warm pasta to create a tangy sauce. You can also substitute feta if goat cheese isn’t your thing.

How To Make Goat Cheese Pasta

A fork twirling fettuccine in a skillet with baby spinach leaves.

Cook the pasta. Start by boiling your fettuccine, and don’t forget to save some of that pasta water before draining, because it helps make the sauce extra silky.
Sauté. Meanwhile, sauté the garlic in olive oil and butter, toss in the spinach, and let it wilt down.
Put it all together. Then just combine everything in the same pot: pasta, spinach, goat cheese, and a splash of pasta water. Stir until the goat cheese melts and coats the noodles. Add more water if you want it saucier.
Serve. Top with the rest of the goat cheese and dig in!

Recipe Tips & Variations

Save that pasta water! The salty, starchy water helps loosen the goat cheese and turn it into a silky sauce. Add a little at a time until it’s as creamy as you like.
Use what you’ve got. This works with spaghetti, linguine, or even short pasta like penne or rotini.
Cheese options. Feta will work just as well as goat cheese. It’s tangy and crumbly too, just a little saltier. You could also stir in a bit of cream cheese to make it creamier.
Add-ins welcome. Toss in some cooked chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms if you want to bulk it up a bit.
Want it spicier? A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic gives it a nice little kick.

What To Serve With It

This goat cheese pasta dinner goes great with something fresh or crunchy on the side. A cool radish cucumber tomato salad is my fave, and garlic breadsticks are perfect for scooping up that creamy sauce. In the mood for an aperitif? An Aperol Spritz is the way to go.

Tools For This Recipe

(Amazon affiliate links) – Check out my kitchen shop here.

Large skillet – You’ll want a wide pan to give the spinach space to wilt quickly.
Pasta pot – I use my big ol’ stockpot with a strainer lid.
Garlic press – Totally optional, but a time-saver when you’re in a rush.
Tongs or pasta fork – Makes it easier to toss everything together without breaking the noodles.

More Quick Pasta Recipes

Lemon Pasta Recipe – Light, bright, and ready in 20 minutes.
Pasta Primavera – Fresh, summery, and so delicious.
One Pot Spaghetti – Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor.
Asparagus Pasta Recipe – Veggies and bowtie pasta in cream sauce.

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5 from 1 vote