If you’re not down with dairy, Sicilian pasta alla norma is a vegetarian, tomato-based pasta dish that is just as quick, easy and family-friendly.
Goats cheese sauce
It’s true, goat cheese is largely overlooked when it comes to cheesy pasta sauces. There are two reasons for this; first, its somewhat farmy fragrance can be a bit off-putting to those who prefer the familiar flavour of cow’s cheeses like cheddar or parmesan. And second, its chemical make-up, lower in lactose than cow’s cheese, doesn’t make it the easiest melter.But it does work! Soft, snow-white goat cheese has a unique velvet and luxuriously creamy nature, and a punchiness of flavour. It’s these qualities that elevate this creamy spinach pasta dish from meek and mild to bold and distinct. So, I urge you to put your barnyard prejudices aside and give goat a chance.
Serving suggestions
I’m not sure my family could comprehend a pasta meal without garlic bread, so that is the obvious accompaniment. We always have a store-bought garlic baguette in the freezer for convenience, but if we have any garlic confit that gets slathered on thickly sliced toast. Personally, I would be satisfied with a fresh salad. I love the combination of creamy goat cheese and ripe tomato, so either cucumber and heirloom tomato with red onions or Tuscan panzanella salad would make my meal. In colder months you might want to add lemon garlic green beans with Parmesan as your side dish.
Storage and leftovers
I’m almost tempted to make too much so there is left over goat cheese pasta! Why? It makes a great lunch box salad. It will keep covered in the fridge for 2-3 days, but I tend to eat it the next day with a few black olives and halved baby plum tomatoes thrown in. An easily transportable, light packed lunch.
More pasta recipes to try
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