How to Make the Perfect Creamy Goat Cheese Macaroni
American · Easy · 15 min · 4 servings
This Creamy Goat Cheese Macaroni is a grown-up twist on mac and cheese that is ready in just 15 minutes on the stovetop. Tangy fresh goat cheese melts into a luxuriously smooth and creamy sauce that coats every piece of macaroni in sophisticated quick comfort food.
Why this recipe works
This Creamy Goat Cheese Macaroni recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 530 calories with 20g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 6 oz fresh goat cheese crumbled
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 whole lemon zested
- 2 tbsp fresh chives chopped
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Macaroni
Cook macaroni in a large pot of heavily salted boiling water until just al dente, about 8 minutes. The pasta should still have a tiny bit of bite as it will continue cooking in the sauce. Reserve one cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
Step 2: Warm the Cream
While pasta cooks, combine heavy cream and minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 minutes until slightly reduced and infused with garlic flavor. Season with salt and white pepper.
Step 3: Melt in the Goat Cheese
Reduce heat to low and add crumbled goat cheese to the warm cream. Stir constantly until completely melted and smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add lemon zest and stir to combine. Add pasta water to achieve a silky sauce consistency.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Add drained macaroni directly to the skillet with the goat cheese sauce and toss over low heat for 1 minute until every piece is thoroughly coated. Serve immediately topped with fresh chives, extra lemon zest, and cracked black pepper.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- fresh goat cheese → cream cheese creates a milder less tangy sauce with a similarly creamy texture
- heavy cream → whole milk works as a lighter substitute though the sauce will be slightly thinner
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding goat cheese to cream that is too hot which can cause the sauce to break and become grainy
- Overcooking the macaroni before it goes into the sauce leaving it mushy after the final toss
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 530 calories, 20g protein, 60g carbs, 24g fat, 3g fiber.
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