Holiday Cranberry Goat Cheese Penne (Printable Version)

Penne tossed with creamy goat cheese, cranberries, walnuts, and herbs—festive, easy, and bursting with flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces penne pasta

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 cup vegetable broth
06 - 5 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled
07 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
08 - Zest of 1 lemon
09 - Salt, to taste
10 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Mix-Ins & Toppings

11 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries
12 - 1/3 cup walnuts, roughly chopped and toasted
13 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons chives, sliced
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and shallot. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until fragrant and translucent.
03 - Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Lower heat and whisk in goat cheese and heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
04 - Add lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Stir in dried cranberries and let them plump for 1 to 2 minutes.
05 - Add the drained pasta into the skillet. Toss well to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water in small amounts until the desired consistency is achieved.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Fold in toasted walnuts, half the parsley, and chives.
07 - Transfer to serving plates. Top with remaining parsley, optional Parmesan, and extra cranberries as desired. Serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Quick to prepare with just thirty minutes from pantry to table
  • Perfect combination of creamy tangy and nutty flavors that taste like a holiday
  • Impresses guests but simple enough for a casual night in
  • Vegetarian with easy swaps to suit more diets
  • Every bite feels festive with minimal effort
02 -
  • Vegetarian friendly
  • Excellent source of protein from cheese and nuts
  • Sauce clings beautifully to ridged shapes like penne
03 -
  • Toast walnuts in a dry skillet for only two or three minutes until fragrant Keep a close eye to avoid burning
  • Always reserve a little pasta water as the starchy liquid helps achieve a silky sauce
  • Adjust salt at the very end especially if using Parmesan which is salty on its own

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