Our quick and easy Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese + Roasted Broccoli is a savory twist on this classic comfort food! Ready in 20 minutes and the perfect, meatless weeknight option!
Mac and Cheese with Goat Cheese
You gotta try it! We are a huge fan of goat cheese and this simple, delicious recipe showcases it’s wonderful flavor so well. Serve with roasted broccoli (or feel free to make roasted broccolini instead), because it is the perfect pairing, or enjoy it all on its own. Either way, this super easy weeknight dinner is the perfect option.
Looking for More Goat Cheese Recipes?
If you love goat cheese as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Baked Goat Cheese + Hot Honey or this Goat Cheese Omelette!
What You Will Need
- broccoli – one of our all-time favorite fresh vegetables, just pick some up at your local grocery store!
- kosher salt & ground black pepper – a simple seasonings that are always a must.
- cavatappi noodles – any type of noodles would work in this easy recipe, including gluten-free noodles.
- butter or ghee – feel free to use the one that works best for you. You could also use a plant-based butter if you preferred.
- soft goat cheese – absolutely love this salty cheese that keeps this classic macaroni and cheese dairy-free!
How To Make Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese
The first steps to making this basic recipe are to roast the broccoli florets and cook your pasta of choice to al dente, according to the package directions. Be sure to reserve some pasta water and then drain the cooked noodles.
Add butter and goat cheese to the same pot you cooked the pasta in. Pour in the reserved pasta water.
Whisk to combine and make a creamy sauce. Add pasta back to the hot pot and stir.
Now toss the roasted broccoli in the noodle mixture and toss it all together. Option to add more pasta water, if desired.
Continue stirring as the pasta soaks up the sauce. Serve and enjoy!
Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese FAQs
- Pasta Shape: Feel free to use a different type of pasta than cavatappi – just ensure whatever you use, cook it to al dente and don’t forget to reserve 1 1/2 cups of pasta water before draining the rest!
- Gluten-Free: You can definitely use gluten-free noodles! Jovial is my favorite gluten-free pasta brand.
- Broccolini: Option to use broccolini instead of regular broccoli!
- Leftovers: Makes great leftovers! Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You might need to add a little melted butter, unsweetened almond milk or even little vegetable broth to help bring it back to life!
- Protein: If you are looking for a protein – serve with some grilled chicken breast or grilled chicken thighs!
Other Goat Cheese Recipes You Might Like
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Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese + Roasted Broccoli
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
Our delicious Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese + Roasted Broccoli is a fun spin on your classic mac and cheese recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh broccoli florets (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1–2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 12–15 oz cavatappi noodles
- 4 tablespoons ghee (or butter), cut into small chunks
- 8 oz soft goat cheese*, cut into small chunks
- pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Oven: Preheat oven to 350.
- Roast Broccoli: In the meantime, put broccoli on parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and salt; massage oil into the broccoli. Place in oven for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until slightly charred.
- Cook Pasta (reserve pasta water!): Add water to a large pot and bring to a medium-high heat to boil. Add the noodles to the boiling water and cook to al dente, according to the package directions. Save 1 1/2 cups of pasta water. Drain remaining pasta water and leave pasta in colander.
- Sauce: In the same pot that you cooked the pasta in, combine butter, goat cheese, 1 cup hot pasta water, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let melt and whisk until everything is melted and sauce is smooth.
- Combine: Add pasta back into the pot and stir. Then the cooked broccoli and toss again.
- Additional Water: Option to add remaining 1/2 cup of pasta water, as needed, to smooth out the sauce.
- Taste + Adjust: Give it a taste and add any additional salt or pepper, if desired.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- *Soft Goat Cheese: key here is to use soft goat cheese (and not a block of goat cheese) – I like brands like The Humble Goat or Montchevre – but really any soft goat cheese will do!
- Pasta: Feel free to use a different typo of pasta than cavatappi – just ensure whatever you use cook it al dente and don’t forget to reserve 1 1/2 cups of pasta water before draining the rest!
- Gluten-Free: You can definitely use gluten-free noodles!
- Leftovers: Makes great leftovers! Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You might need to add a little melted butter, unsweetened almond milk or even little vegetable broth to help bring it back to life!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 364
- Sugar: 2.4 g
- Sodium: 351.4 mg
- Fat: 16.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 40.8 g
- Protein: 14.3 g
- Cholesterol: 32.4 mg
Vickie says
Delicious and creamy!!
Zara says
I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but I am curious what cheese is best to use in your opinion? There is such a wide range of goat cheeses these days I can only imagine some would probably melt down better than the others. Maybe not.
Erin says
Hi Zara – so I would use a soft goat cheese similar to the Montchevre brand or Happy Farms – those soft 8oz packages seems to work the best!
Nikki says
I love Pasta. I tried more than 10 combination of pasta but I think you shared unique one plus healthy. I’ll try for sure.
Aleah says
I made this last night, and it was soooo yummy!!! My 3,& 5 year olds loved it and my husband couldn’t get enough of it either! Yum!! I think this is my new favorite lazy night meal!! Why did I never think of goat cheese mac n cheese?! I gave up diary & this is FINALLY just S good as when I liked dairy. 🙌🏼 Thanks!!!
Erin says
Hi Aleah! That makes me SO happy to hear! Thank you for taking the time leave your feedback – it means a lot!
Gayle Wheeler says
On my menu this weekend!
Erin says
Yay!!! So excited for you to try it! 🙂
Kathleen says
Goat Cheese AND Mac and Cheese. Two of my favorite things in the whole world!
Erin says
Yay!!! Mine too, Kathleen! 🙂