Description
A comforting baked pasta layered with sweet caramelized onions, tangy balsamic vinegar, creamy goat’s cheese, and a golden blend of mozzarella and parmesan. This cozy dish is rich, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces dry pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 ounces goat’s cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Combine Ingredients: Cook pasta until just shy of al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add sliced onions and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden. Stir in balsamic vinegar and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Assemble the Dish: In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, caramelized onions, goat’s cheese, half of the mozzarella, half of the parmesan, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper. Transfer mixture to a lightly greased baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan over the top.
- Cook to Perfection: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Finishing Touches: Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve warm and creamy straight from the baking dish.
Notes
- Cook the onions slowly to achieve proper caramelization and deep flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta before baking to prevent it from becoming too soft.
- Broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end for a deeper golden top, watching carefully.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: balsamic onion pasta bake, goat cheese pasta bake, vegetarian pasta bake, baked pasta with caramelized onions, cheesy pasta casserole