Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Sunday Supper: Pasta with Asparagus and No-Cook Goat Cheese Sauce

Posted by Adam Kuban, April 19, 2008 at 5:00 PM

Each Saturday evening we bring you a Sunday Supper recipe. Why on Saturday? So you have time to shop and prepare for tomorrow.

It's finally starting to get up into the 70s in my neck of the woods, and this weekend looks like it'll be the first truly nice and warm one we've had this spring. It's the kind of weather that draws me out of the kitchen and out to the park or for a bike ride—basically anywhere but the kitchen.

But, a person's gotta eat, and this pasta is good in many ways for a Sunday when you don't want to spend much time at the stove. First, it takes advantage of asparagus, which is in season now; second, it's quick, so you can take advantage of the lengthening days; and third, it's moderately light, so you won't feel like a lead weight afterward.

Pasta with Asparagus and No-Cook Goat Cheese Sauce

- serves 4 -

Ingredients

2 bunches asparagus (about 2 pounds)
4 tablespoons butter
12 ounces short pasta of your choice (I use penne)
Small (5-ounce) log soft goat cheese
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

Procedure

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Remove tough ends from asparagus, and place on a large baking sheet; scatter 1 tablespoon butter over asparagus, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast asparagus until tender, about 12 minutes, tossing stalks occasionally. Cut aspargus into 2-inch pieces.

2. While asparagus roasts, salt the boiling water. Add your pasta, and cook according to package instructions until it's al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and place it back in pot.

3. Combine the goat cheese, the remaining 3 tablespoons butter, and 1/2 cup of the pasta water in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper; whisk till smooth. Add the goat-cheese mixture and the asparagus to the pasta. Toss everything to combine, adding more of the reserved water if needed so that sauce coats pasta. Serve garnished with chives.

7 Comments Favorite this!  (2)

Tags: asparagus, goat cheese, Healthy and Delicious, pasta, Sunday Supper, vegetarian

View other entries from Sunday Supper.