Rustic Roasted Tomato Penne with Goat Cheese Recipe

Heavenly Roasted Tomato Penne with Goat Cheese Recipe

Summer’s bounty comes alive in this vibrant roasted tomato penne with goat cheese that bursts with Mediterranean flavors.

Ripe tomatoes caramelize into sweet, intense gems when roasted at high heat.

Fragrant herbs mingle with tangy goat cheese, creating a symphony of tastes that dance across your palate.

Perfectly al dente penne pasta catches every drop of the rich, ruby-red sauce.

Fresh basil leaves scattered on top add a bright, peppery finish to this simple yet elegant dish.

Each forkful promises a delightful balance of smoky, creamy, and zesty notes that will transport you to an Italian countryside.

Dinner is about to get deliciously exciting with this quick and irresistible recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 5

Roasted Tomato Penne Ingredients

For Roasting Base:
  • Roma Tomatoes: Juicy, sweet foundation that caramelizes beautifully when roasted, selecting ripe tomatoes with deep red color ensures intense flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Silky coating that helps tomatoes roast evenly and adds rich Mediterranean essence, choose extra virgin for best quality.
  • Fresh Thyme: Aromatic herb that infuses subtle earthy notes, selecting fresh sprigs ensures vibrant flavor and delightful fragrance.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning duo that enhances and balances roasted tomato's natural sweetness, opt for freshly ground black pepper for maximum zest.
For Pasta Base:
  • Penne Pasta: Tubular shape perfect for catching roasted tomato sauce, selecting high-quality durum wheat pasta ensures ideal texture and hold.
For Creamy Finish:
  • Goat Cheese: Tangy, creamy element that adds luxurious richness, selecting soft, fresh goat cheese provides smooth melting texture and distinctive flavor profile.

Tools Needed for Tomato Goat Cheese Pasta

  • Baking sheet: Essential for roasting tomatoes evenly and catching all those delicious juices.
  • Aluminum foil or parchment paper: Helps with easy cleanup and prevents sticking.
  • Large bowl: Perfect for tossing tomatoes with olive oil and seasonings.
  • Sharp knife: Needed to halve tomatoes cleanly and precisely.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for mixing and transferring ingredients.
  • Serving bowls: For presenting the final beautiful dish.
  • Cheese crumbler or fork: Helps break up the goat cheese into nice, creamy pieces.

Instructions to Make Tomato Penne Pasta

  • Tomato Preparation

Grab fresh tomatoes and slice them in half, revealing their vibrant inner world. Scatter aromatic thyme sprigs across the surface, creating a fragrant landscape.

  • Roasting Magic

Slide the tomatoes into a hot oven, transforming them from simple vegetables into concentrated flavor bombs. Watch as they shrivel and intensify, developing a deep, caramelized essence.

  • Pasta Canvas

Cook penne until perfectly tender, creating a golden playground for your roasted tomatoes. The pasta will eagerly await its flavorful companions.

  • Cheese Crown

Generously sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the dish, allowing its creamy texture to mingle with the roasted tomatoes. The cheese will create soft, tangy pockets of deliciousness.

  • Final Flourish

Serve immediately, letting the warm pasta and roasted tomatoes release their enticing aromas. Each forkful promises a burst of summer-inspired flavors that dance across your palate.

Flavor Tips & Goat Cheese Add-Ons

  • Tomato Roasting Magic: Learn to transform ordinary tomatoes into flavor-packed gems by roasting them slowly, which concentrates their natural sweetness and creates an intense, caramelized taste.
  • Cheese Swap Adventure: Experiment with different soft cheeses like ricotta, feta, or blue cheese to add unique flavor profiles and creamy textures that complement the roasted tomatoes perfectly.
  • Herb Garden Boost: Enhance the dish by trying fresh basil, oregano, or rosemary instead of thyme, creating delightful variations that keep the recipe exciting and personalized.
  • Protein Power-Up: Elevate the meal by adding grilled chicken, crispy pancetta, or sautéed shrimp to transform this simple pasta into a more substantial and satisfying dinner option.
  • Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Roast tomatoes and cook pasta in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, quickly reheat and assemble for a stress-free, quick weeknight dinner.

How to Serve Roasted Tomato Pasta

  • Flavor Explosion Plating: Arrange the penne on rustic ceramic plates with a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves for a pop of green color and herbal freshness.
  • Mediterranean Companion: Pair the dish with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or serve alongside a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
  • Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken strips or seared shrimp on top to transform this vegetarian dish into a more substantial protein-packed dinner option.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: Offer extra crumbled goat cheese and some freshly grated parmesan at the table, allowing guests to customize their cheese experience and add more richness to the dish.

Refrigeration Instructions for Penne

  • Smart Meal Planning Strategies
  • – Advance Prep Power: Chop tomatoes and measure ingredients the night before cooking to streamline your meal preparation process.
  • – Batch Cooking Brilliance: Roast extra tomatoes during initial cooking and store in sealed containers for quick future meal additions.
  • – Refrigeration Rules: Store leftover pasta in airtight containers for up to 3 days, keeping goat cheese separate to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
  • – Flavor Enhancement Trick: Gently reheat pasta by adding a splash of olive oil and warming in a skillet to restore moisture and revive roasted tomato flavors.
Print
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Rustic Roasted Tomato Penne with Goat Cheese Recipe

Rustic Roasted Tomato Penne with Goat Cheese Recipe


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4.8 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Mediterranean penne with roasted tomato celebrates classic Italian comfort cuisine. Creamy goat cheese and caramelized tomatoes blend harmoniously, delivering complex flavors you’ll savor with each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) pasta, penne
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil
  • ⅓ cup (75 g) goat cheese
  • 12 oz (340 g) Roma tomatoes, trimmed and halved (quartered if large)
  • 3 sprigs thyme, fresh
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Lay out a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to ease cleanup and prevent adhesion.
  2. Tomato Transformation: Bisect tomatoes with precision, ensuring uniform dimensions for consistent roasting, then craft a vibrant marinade by whisking olive oil with fragrant thyme, salt, and pepper.
  3. Flavor Infusion: Thoroughly massage herbed oil into tomato halves, guaranteeing complete coverage, then meticulously position cut-side up on the prepared sheet with strategic spacing.
  4. Roasting Ritual: Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven at 375°F, allowing tomatoes to caramelize and concentrate for 25-30 minutes until they develop a deeply shriveled texture and release intense, concentrated juices.
  5. Pasta Perfection: Simultaneously cook penne in heavily salted water until achieving a precise al dente consistency, then drain thoroughly to maintain optimal texture.
  6. Composition and Serving: Plate the pasta, cascade roasted tomatoes with their aromatic essence across the surface, crown with crumbled goat cheese, and present immediately to capture the harmonious interplay of rustic and creamy elements.

Notes

  • Prep Like a Pro: Line baking sheet with foil or parchment to guarantee effortless cleanup and prevent stubborn sticking.
  • Slice with Precision: Cut tomatoes uniformly to ensure consistent, even roasting and beautiful presentation.
  • Herb Infusion Magic: Mix olive oil with fresh thyme and robust seasonings to elevate the tomatoes’ natural flavor profile.
  • Roasting Wisdom: Monitor tomatoes closely during cooking, aiming for deep caramelization and concentrated juices without burning.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 500
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 64g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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