Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Sage (Print Version)

Pasta with roasted sweet potatoes, crumbled goat cheese, and crispy fried sage leaves.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1.1 pounds), peeled and diced
02 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta

03 - 12 ounces short pasta such as rigatoni, penne, or fusilli

→ Dairy

04 - 4.2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
05 - 1/4 cup heavy cream

→ Herbs & Aromatics

06 - 20 fresh sage leaves

→ Pantry

07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
08 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish (optional)

10 - 1 ounce grated parmesan cheese
11 - Crushed red pepper flakes

# Recipe Steps:

01 - 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.
02 - 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.
03 - In a large skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 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 paper towels.
04 - Add roasted sweet potatoes to the skillet. Using a fork, mash about half of the sweet potatoes, leaving the rest in chunks to maintain texture.
05 - Add drained 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 thickens and coats the pasta, adding more pasta water as needed.
06 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately topped with crispy sage leaves, grated parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and crushed red pepper flakes as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Easy enough for weeknights but impressive for guests
  • Vegetarian friendly and packed with flavor
02 -
  • Roast sweet potatoes until truly caramelized as this is key to deep flavor
  • Always reserve pasta water to help the sauce bind and turn glossy
03 -
  • Roast sweet potatoes until truly caramelized for best flavor
  • Do not skip frying the sage it elevates this pasta to restaurant worthy status
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