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If you are looking for a dish that masterfully balances creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors with an irresistible aroma, you have to try the Viral Sweet Potato, Goat Cheese, and Sage Pasta Recipe. This pasta combines caramelized roasted sweet potatoes with tangy goat cheese and crisp, fragrant sage leaves to create a harmony of textures and tastes that will make every bite feel like a cozy celebration. It’s comfort food at its finest but with a gourmet twist that will impress anyone lucky enough to share your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple yet essential ingredients that work beautifully together. Each one plays a key role, from the sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes to the vibrant earthiness of fresh sage, creating not just taste but texture and color that make this dish truly shine.
- Sweet potatoes (2 medium, peeled and diced): Give the pasta its signature natural sweetness and a beautiful orange hue.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Adds a subtle depth of savory flavor that enhances every bite.
- Short pasta (12 ounces, rigatoni, penne, or fusilli): These shapes hold the creamy sauce perfectly between their ridges and tubes.
- Goat cheese (4.2 ounces, crumbled): Provides a tangy creaminess that melts beautifully into the dish.
- Heavy cream (1/4 cup): Helps create a luxuriously creamy sauce that binds all components.
- Fresh sage leaves (20): When fried, they bring an aromatic crispiness and a subtle herbaceous punch.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons, plus more for drizzling): Adds richness and helps roast the sweet potatoes to caramelized perfection.
- Unsalted butter (1 tablespoon): Alongside olive oil, it lends extra silkiness to the dish.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste): Essential seasonings to balance all flavors.
- Grated parmesan cheese (1 ounce, optional): Adds a nutty, savory complexity if you want an extra cheesy touch.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For those who enjoy a subtle heat that contrasts nicely with the sweet and creamy flavors.
How to Make Viral Sweet Potato, Goat Cheese, and Sage Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes and Garlic
Start by preheating your oven to 430°F. Toss the diced sweet potatoes and minced garlic with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet in a single layer to ensure even roasting. Pop them in the oven and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, giving them a stir halfway through. You want them tender on the inside and caramelized and golden on the outside — this roasting creates the deliciously sweet and nutty foundation for our pasta.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
While the sweet potatoes are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your chosen short pasta until just al dente according to package instructions — perfect texture is key here to hold the creamy sauce. Before draining, save about 2/3 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water; this liquid little treasure will help you create a smooth, luscious sauce.
Step 3: Crispy Fried Sage Leaves
Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil with the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted and shimmering, add the fresh sage leaves and fry them for 1 to 2 minutes until they become crispy and fragrant. Use a slotted spoon to remove the leaves and let them drain on a paper towel. These crunchy leaves will add an aromatic, textural highlight to the dish.
Step 4: Combine and Mash the Sweet Potatoes
Add the roasted sweet potatoes to the skillet with the sage-infused oil and butter. Using a fork, gently mash about half of the sweet potatoes while leaving the rest in charming little chunks. This combination of creamy and chunky delightful morsels ensures a variety of textures in each forkful.
Step 5: Create the Creamy Goat Cheese Sauce
Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the sweet potatoes. Pour in the heavy cream and crumbled goat cheese, stirring everything together. Add half of the reserved pasta water and continue tossing so the sauce coats every piece of pasta perfectly. Use more pasta water as needed to achieve a luxuriously creamy consistency that clings beautifully to each bite.
Step 6: Final Seasoning and Serve
Season the pasta generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve the dish immediately, topped with crispy sage leaves you fried earlier, a generous drizzle of olive oil, and if you like, a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of savory and heat. This ensures the Viral Sweet Potato, Goat Cheese, and Sage Pasta Recipe arrives on your table looking and tasting like a comforting, indulgent masterpiece.
How to Serve Viral Sweet Potato, Goat Cheese, and Sage Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Adding crispy sage leaves on top is not just about looks — their crunch and aroma elevate the dish’s profile instantly. A drizzle of high-quality olive oil just before serving adds a glossy finish and subtle fruity notes, while a little parmesan or a dusting of red pepper flakes provides an extra layer of flavor contrast that keeps every bite exciting.
Side Dishes
This pasta shines as a hearty main, but pairing it with fresh, crisp green salads dressed with light vinaigrettes or a simple roasted vegetable medley adds balance. Alternatively, some crusty garlic bread makes for a wonderful vehicle to savor any leftover sauce, making the meal feel complete and soul-satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party or special occasion, try serving this Viral Sweet Potato, Goat Cheese, and Sage Pasta Recipe in colorful shallow bowls that allow the vibrant orange sweet potatoes to pop visually. Garnish with whole fried sage leaves artfully placed on top and finish with a sprinkle of edible flowers or microgreens for a delightful and inviting touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because it contains cream and goat cheese, it’s best to consume it within a safe window to enjoy the freshest flavors and textures.
Freezing
Freezing is not ideal for this pasta due to the creamy goat cheese sauce, which can separate when thawed. If you must freeze, try freezing the roasted sweet potatoes separately and prepare the pasta fresh for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream to restore the sauce’s creaminess. Microwave reheating can be done but stirring frequently is important to prevent drying out or uneven heating.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Goat cheese brings a unique tang and creaminess that balances the sweetness of the potatoes, but you can experiment with mild cheeses like ricotta or feta for a different flavor profile.
Is fresh sage necessary or can I use dried sage?
Fresh sage is essential here because frying the leaves creates a crispy texture and releases vibrant aromas. Dried sage won’t provide the same effect and is best used in seasoning blends or marinades instead.
What pasta shapes work best?
Short ridged or tubular pastas like rigatoni, penne, or fusilli are perfect since they trap the creamy sauce in their grooves, making every bite flavorful.
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
To make it vegan, substitute the goat cheese and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives like cashew cream and vegan cheese, and replace butter with a vegan spread. The sweet potato and sage will still shine!
How spicy is the dish?
The recipe itself is mild; however, adding crushed red pepper flakes can provide a gentle heat that complements the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes beautifully.
Final Thoughts
This Viral Sweet Potato, Goat Cheese, and Sage Pasta Recipe is the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug from your kitchen. Its soul-soothing flavors, vibrant colors, and achievable techniques make it a recipe you’ll want to keep coming back to again and again. So grab those sweet potatoes, fresh sage, and goat cheese and get ready to impress your taste buds and loved ones alike — this pasta is pure magic!
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Print
Viral Sweet Potato, Goat Cheese, and Sage Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Viral Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Sage pasta recipe combines roasted sweet potatoes with creamy goat cheese and crispy fried sage leaves to create a rich, comforting dish. The combination of roasted vegetables, fresh herbs, and tender pasta tossed in a creamy sauce makes this meal both hearty and flavorful, perfect for a cozy dinner in about 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1.1 pounds), peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 20 fresh sage leaves
Pasta & Dairy
- 12 ounces short pasta such as rigatoni, penne, or fusilli
- 4.2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 ounce grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Oils & Fats
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Seasonings
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Roast Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 430°F. In a bowl, toss the diced sweet potatoes and minced garlic with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sweet potatoes are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve about 2/3 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Fry the Sage Leaves: In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the fresh sage leaves and fry for 1 to 2 minutes until they become crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the sage leaves and drain them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- Mash the Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Add the roasted sweet potatoes to the skillet. Using a fork, mash about half of the sweet potatoes, leaving the rest in chunks to provide texture.
- Toss Pasta with Sweet Potato Mixture: Add the drained cooked pasta to the skillet along with the sweet potatoes. Stir in the heavy cream, crumbled goat cheese, and half of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the sauce is creamy and thoroughly coats the pasta. Add more reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
- Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve the pasta immediately, topping each serving with the crispy sage leaves, grated parmesan cheese if desired, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Notes
- You can substitute other short pasta shapes such as penne or fusilli if rigatoni is unavailable.
- For a vegan version, replace goat cheese and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level for added heat.
- Reserve the pasta water to help create a silky sauce that binds all the flavors together.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, mash more of the sweet potatoes.
