Save Roasted sweet potatoes, goat cheese, and sage tossed with creamy pasta for ultimate comfort.
This dish is a perfect blend of flavors and textures that I instantly loved sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes: About 1.1 pounds, peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic: Minced
- 12 ounces short pasta: Such as rigatoni, penne, or fusilli
- 4.2 ounces goat cheese: Crumbled
- 1/4 cup heavy cream:
- 20 fresh sage leaves:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Plus more for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter:
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: To taste
- 1 ounce grated parmesan cheese: Optional garnish
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and roast:
- Preheat oven to 430°F. Toss diced sweet potatoes and minced garlic with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and caramelized.
- Cook pasta:
- While the sweet potatoes are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 2/3 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.
- Fry sage:
- In a large skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the butter over medium heat. Add sage leaves and fry for 1 to 2 minutes until crispy. Remove sage with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.
- Prepare sweet potatoes:
- Add the roasted sweet potatoes to the skillet. Using a fork, mash about half of the sweet potatoes, leaving the remainder in chunks for texture.
- Combine pasta and sauce:
- Add drained cooked pasta to the skillet with sweet potatoes. Stir in heavy cream, crumbled goat cheese, and half of the reserved pasta water. Toss until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta, adding additional pasta water as needed.
- Season and serve:
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately topped with crispy sage leaves, grated parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes as desired.
Save Sharing this recipe always brings a smile to my family gatherings.
Nutritional Benefits
High in vitamin A and fiber thanks to sweet potatoes and a lovely alternative to heavy cream based pastas.
Customization Options
Customizable with pantry pasta shapes and perfect for vegetarians.
Flavor Profile
Crispy sage adds irresistible texture and fragrance while the creamy sauce keeps it comforting.
Save This dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that comes together quickly and beautifully.
Recipe Guide
- → How do you achieve the best flavor from sweet potatoes?
Roasting sweet potatoes until golden and caramelized deepens their natural sweetness and enhances the overall flavor in the dish.
- → Why is sage fried before adding?
Frying sage leaves makes them crispy and releases their aromatic oils, adding a fragrant texture contrast to the creamy pasta.
- → What role does reserved pasta water play?
Adding reserved pasta water helps to bind the sauce, making it silky and glossy while adjusting consistency as needed.
- → Can different pasta shapes be used?
Yes, short pasta such as rigatoni, penne, or fusilli works well to hold the creamy sauce and chunks of sweet potato.
- → Is heavy cream necessary for the sauce?
A small amount of heavy cream enriches the sauce, but the goat cheese and pasta water also contribute creaminess, keeping it light yet luscious.