Indulgent Sweet Potato Pasta with roasted and seasoned sweet potatoes, onions, and chicken sausage. The pasta and veggies are tossed in an unforgettable creamy goat cheese sauce and topped with Parmesan.

Contents

Indulgent Creamy Sweet Potato Pasta with Goat Cheese and Chicken Sausage

Elevate your dinner routine with this exquisite Sweet Potato Pasta recipe, a dish that masterfully blends the earthy sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with the savory depth of chicken sausage and the luscious tang of a creamy goat cheese sauce. Topped with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan, this pasta isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, transforming simple ingredients into an unforgettable culinary delight perfect for any occasion, from a cozy weeknight dinner to a sophisticated gathering.

Why This Sweet Potato Pasta Will Be Your New Favorite

If you’re among the many who adore the caramelized sweetness and tender texture of Roasted Sweet Potatoes, then prepare to fall head over heels for this pasta dish. Our deep appreciation for roasted sweet potatoes has led us to incorporate them into a variety of beloved recipes, including flavorful Kidney Bean Bowls, a vibrant Roasted Sweet Potato Salad, and the ever-popular Sweet Potato Burrito Bowls. It was only natural to introduce them to a creamy pasta setting, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Many consider this their personal favorite pasta, even rivaling our renowned Sausage Rigatoni!

The secret to this dish’s irresistible charm lies in its decadent sauce, primarily crafted from rich, tangy goat cheese. As devoted fans of goat cheese, we’re always seeking innovative ways to enjoy its unique flavor, and in this pasta, it truly shines as the star. Its creamy texture and distinct, slightly tart profile perfectly complement the sweetness of the potatoes and the savory notes of the sausage. However, if goat cheese isn’t to your liking, fear not! We suggest trying our Butternut Squash Pasta and simply substituting the squash with sweet potatoes for a delicious alternative.

Beyond the luscious goat cheese, a touch of heavy cream is added to create a beautifully balanced sauce. The dish is further enriched and made more nutritious with a medley of fresh vegetables, including aromatic onions, pungent garlic, and vibrant spinach. For a substantial protein boost and an incredible textural contrast, we incorporate roasted chicken sausage. Not only does it add a satisfying chewiness, but its savory, slightly smoky notes beautifully enhance the overall flavor profile of the pasta and sweet potatoes, making every bite a harmonious blend of tastes and textures.

The Heart of the Dish: Perfectly Roasted Vegetables and Savory Sausage

While your pasta boils to al dente perfection, the vibrant medley of vegetables and savory sausage transforms in the oven, creating the flavor foundation of this remarkable dish. This seasoned blend of sweet potatoes, onions, and garlic, combined with succulent chicken sausage, roasts to perfection, developing crisp, caramelized edges and beautifully tender interiors. Roasting isn’t just a cooking method; it’s a flavor enhancer, bringing out the natural sugars in the sweet potatoes and onions, and mellowing the garlic into a sweet, aromatic paste. Here are a few essential tips to ensure your roasted components are nothing short of spectacular:

Choose Your Sausage Wisely: Any high-quality smoked sausage will work wonderfully in this recipe, adding a layer of rich, savory flavor. We particularly recommend Aidells Italian or their Chicken & Apple Sausage. Both varieties offer a delightful balance of spices that complement the sweet potatoes and goat cheese without overpowering the dish. Their pre-cooked nature also makes them incredibly convenient for quick roasting.
Precision in Cutting for Even Roasting: The key to uniformly cooked vegetables lies in their size. When preparing your sweet potatoes and onions, aim for consistent 1/2-inch pieces. This meticulous chopping ensures that all the vegetables roast at a similar rate, preventing some from becoming overcooked while others remain underdone. Even sizing guarantees a perfect texture in every bite.
The Secret to Perfectly Roasted Garlic: To prevent your garlic from burning and turning bitter, employ a simple yet effective trick. Wrap the garlic cloves (skins on) in a small square of foil with a drizzle of olive oil, just as we do in our popular Roasted Tomato Basil Soup recipe. This creates a miniature steaming environment, allowing the garlic to soften and sweeten beautifully without charring, resulting in a wonderfully mellow and spreadable garlic paste for your sauce.
Embrace the Large Sheet Pan for Optimal Caramelization: One of the most critical factors in achieving perfectly roasted, rather than steamed, vegetables is giving them ample space. Utilize a very large sheet pan, ideally one that allows the vegetables and sausage to lie in a single, uncrowded layer. When ingredients overlap, they release moisture, creating steam and inhibiting the delicious caramelization process. More space means better air circulation, leading to those coveted crisp edges and intense flavors. Be aware that crowding the pan significantly increases cooking time and compromises the final texture.

Pro Tip: Maximize Roasting Power

For exceptional roasting, we highly recommend a 15×21-inch sheet pan. This generous size provides plenty of room, ensuring all your ingredients get perfectly browned and tender, truly enhancing the dish’s flavor and texture. If you don’t have one this large, use two standard sheet pans to avoid overcrowding.

Crafting the Velvety Goat Cheese Sauce

The soul of this Sweet Potato Pasta lies in its truly divine sauce – a creamy, tangy, and impossibly smooth creation that elevates the entire dish. As previously mentioned, fresh goat cheese takes center stage, providing a unique depth of flavor that is both rich and bright. This section delves into the key components that come together to form this unforgettable garlic cream sauce:

The Star: Fresh Goat Cheese (Chevre): For this recipe, the quality and form of your goat cheese are paramount. We are specifically looking for a fresh log of goat cheese (often labeled chevre), not the pre-crumbled variety. A fresh goat cheese log has a softer, more spreadable texture that melts seamlessly into a silky sauce, providing that signature creamy tang that is essential to this pasta. Look for high-quality brands that offer a clean, distinct goat cheese flavor.
The Indulgent Element: Heavy Cream: Do not be tempted to substitute the heavy cream in this recipe. It is a fundamental ingredient that contributes an incredible richness and a luxurious thickness to the sauce. Heavy cream ensures that the sauce is not only intensely flavorful but also beautifully coats every strand of pasta and piece of roasted vegetable, delivering a truly indulgent experience. Its fat content is also crucial for emulsification, binding the sauce together perfectly.
The “Magic”: Starchy Pasta Water: Before you drain your perfectly cooked pasta, remember to reserve a generous amount of the cooking water. This seemingly murky liquid is often called “liquid gold” by chefs, and for good reason! It’s brimming with leftover starch released from the boiling pasta, which acts as a natural thickening agent. Additionally, this water is seasoned with the salt added during cooking. When you combine this starchy, salty water with the fats in the goat cheese and heavy cream, the ingredients emulsify beautifully, creating a perfectly creamy, smooth, and cohesive sauce that clings to the pasta. It’s the “glue” that brings all the sauce components together in harmony.
The Aromatic Foundation: Roasted Garlic: The garlic used in this sauce isn’t just any garlic; it’s the same garlic that was roasted alongside your sweet potatoes and onions. Roasting transforms the pungent raw garlic into a mellow, sweet, and deeply aromatic paste. After roasting, simply remove the cloves from their papery skins and press them through a garlic press or mash them with a fork. The amount you add is up to your personal preference, but we find that four full cloves impart the best balance of garlicky warmth without being overpowering.

The Art of Emulsification

The “secret” to achieving a truly luxurious, smooth, and incredibly flavorful pasta sauce, much like those found in authentic Italian cuisine, lies in the technique of emulsifying. This involves vigorously tossing the hot pasta with the goat cheese, heavy cream, and reserved pasta water. The heat from the pasta helps melt the cheese, while the starch in the pasta water binds with the fats in the cheese and cream, creating a stable, velvety emulsion that coats every piece of pasta with rich, delectable flavor.

Assembling Your Masterpiece: Tips for Sweet Potato Pasta Perfection

Creating this indulgent Sweet Potato Pasta is a straightforward process, but a few key tips will ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time. Paying attention to these details will elevate your homemade pasta to restaurant-quality standards.

The Right Pasta, The Right Ratio: For the best pasta-to-sauce ratio, we strongly recommend using precisely 12 ounces of bowtie (farfalle) pasta. While many pasta boxes come in 16-ounce packages, using the full amount can dilute the richness of the sauce. A 12-ounce portion ensures that every piece of pasta is generously coated with the creamy goat cheese sauce and harmonizes beautifully with the roasted vegetables and sausage.
Never Skimp on Salting the Pasta Water: This is a golden rule in pasta making. The pasta itself will only absorb seasoning from the water it cooks in. Make sure your pasta water is generously salted – it should taste like the sea! This is your only opportunity to infuse flavor directly into the pasta, which in turn contributes to the overall deliciousness of the sauce. Don’t underestimate the impact of well-salted pasta on the final dish.
Fresh Basil: The Unsung Hero: While this pasta dish is delicious on its own, the addition of fresh basil takes it to an entirely new level. Although basil might seem more readily available in summer, you can usually find fresh packets or even small plants at most grocery stores year-round. The vibrant, peppery notes of ribboned fresh basil cut through the richness of the sauce and add an incredible aromatic lift, brightening the entire flavor profile. If basil isn’t your favorite or you can’t find it, the dish will still be tasty, but we highly encourage its inclusion for that extra touch of gourmet freshness.
Parmesan Cheese: Finishing with Flavor: The final touch of finely grated Parmesan cheese is not just for garnish; it adds a crucial layer of salty, nutty umami that perfectly balances the creamy tang of the goat cheese. Opt for fresh Parmesan that you grate yourself from a block or a high-quality finely grated variety. Canned Parmesan can be overly salty and doesn’t melt into the sauce as smoothly.

Memory Booster: Never Forget Pasta Water!

It’s incredibly easy to accidentally drain all your precious pasta cooking water! Here’s a simple trick to ensure you always save enough: Before you even start cooking, place a one-cup measuring cup (or a larger heatproof container) directly into your colander in the sink. When it’s time to pour the hot pasta and water into the colander, you’ll see the measuring cup, serving as a perfect reminder to scoop out your reserved water before draining the rest. This simple visual cue makes all the difference for your creamy sweet potato pasta sauce!

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This Sweet Potato Pasta is a hearty and satisfying meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple side. Consider serving it with a fresh, crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the pasta. A side of crusty garlic bread is also an excellent choice, perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious creamy sauce. For an extra layer of texture and flavor, we suggest garnishing individual plates with toasted and coarsely chopped pecans, adding a delightful crunch and nutty finish.

Looking to customize this dish? Here are a few variations:

Vegetarian Option: To make this recipe vegetarian, simply omit the chicken sausage. You can replace it with a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas, roasted alongside the sweet potatoes and onions, or add lentils for extra protein and fiber. Alternatively, consider a plant-based sausage.
Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added to the roasting vegetables or stirred into the sauce can provide a delightful kick.
Herb Alternatives: While fresh basil is highly recommended, other fresh herbs like chopped fresh sage or a hint of fresh rosemary could also complement the sweet potatoes and goat cheese beautifully.
Different Cheeses: If goat cheese is not an option, you could experiment with other creamy, tangy cheeses like cream cheese or a mascarpone-Parmesan blend, though the flavor profile will change significantly.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Should you be lucky enough to have leftovers of this delectable Sweet Potato Pasta, proper storage and reheating will help maintain its deliciousness. Allow the pasta to cool completely at room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, the sauce may appear a bit thicker. To revive its creamy texture, gently warm the pasta on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk, cream, or even a little water (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option) until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Avoid high heat, which can cause the sauce to separate or become oily.

Explore More Sweet Potato Delights

If you’ve enjoyed this sweet potato creation, we invite you to explore more of our favorite recipes featuring this versatile and nutritious vegetable:

Sweet Potato Nachos with crispy sweet potato fries and savory black beans for a fun twist
Sweet Potato and Chicken Sausage Bowls a wholesome and flavorful meal with a zesty chili-lime sauce
Panang Curry a rich and aromatic Thai curry featuring both sweet and golden potatoes
Sweet Potato Couscous Bowls light and refreshing bowls with basil pesto and roasted sweet potatoes
Sweet Potato-Quinoa Salad a healthy and satisfying salad tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette

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Sweet Potato Pasta

By Chelsea Lords

This indulgent Sweet Potato Pasta combines roasted sweet potatoes, onions, and chicken sausage, all tossed in a creamy goat cheese sauce and finished with Parmesan. So good!

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

Large sheet pan (15″ x 21″)
Large pot

Ingredients

1 pound sweet potatoes (about 2 medium or 3-1/4 cups cubed, see Note 1)
1 yellow onion (about 1 small or 1-1/2 cups cubed, see Note 2)
2 to 4 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
12 ounces chicken sausage (cut into 1/2-inch coins, like Aidells Italian Style)
Salt and pepper (to taste)
12 ounces bowtie/farfalle pasta (plus 2 cups reserved pasta cooking water)
6 ounces goat cheese (log, not crumbles, see Note 3)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (see Note 4)
2 cups baby spinach (coarsely chopped)
1 cup fresh basil (ribboned, optional but highly recommended)
Toasted and coarsely chopped pecans (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Peel the sweet potatoes and chop them into uniform 1/2-inch cubes. Similarly, peel the yellow onion and cut it into 1/2-inch cubes. These smaller, consistent cuts are crucial for even and timely roasting. Slice the chicken sausage into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
Take 2 to 4 garlic cloves (still in their papery skins) and place them in a small square of aluminum foil. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil over the garlic, then tightly wrap the foil to form a small ball. Place this foil packet on an extra-large sheet pan. Add the sweet potato cubes, onion cubes, the remaining 2.5 tablespoons of olive oil, Italian seasoning, about 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the sheet pan. Toss everything thoroughly to combine and spread the mixture out into a single layer on the pan. Roast for 15 minutes. Remove the tray, add the sliced chicken sausage, toss gently with the vegetables, and return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized (see Note 5 for sheet pan tips). Once roasted, remove the pan from the oven and set it aside to cool slightly.
While the vegetables and sausage are roasting, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water, then add the bowtie pasta. Cook the pasta according to package directions, but remove it about 1 minute short of al dente. Before draining, use a heatproof measuring cup to carefully scoop out and reserve about 2 cups of the starchy pasta water. Drain the remaining pasta and immediately return it to the large pot.
Dollop spoonfuls of the goat cheese over the hot, drained pasta in the pot. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, starting with 1/4 cup at a time, while vigorously tossing the pasta with tongs or two wooden spoons. Continue tossing until the goat cheese melts and emulsifies with the pasta water, creating a creamy, smooth sauce that adheres to the pasta. (You may need about 1/2 cup of pasta water at this stage, but adjust as needed.) Stir in the heavy cream and continue to toss until the pasta is fully coated and luxuriously creamy.
Add the roasted sweet potato, onion, and chicken sausage mixture on top of the pasta. Remove the roasted garlic cloves from the foil, carefully peel off their paper skins, and press them through a garlic press directly into the pasta (add as many cloves as desired). Add the coarsely chopped baby spinach. Toss everything together thoroughly, adding more reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed to achieve an ultra-creamy consistency. As you toss, gradually incorporate the finely grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons at a time, allowing it to melt into the sauce.
Taste the pasta and adjust seasonings as necessary, adding any additional salt or pepper to your preference. If desired, gently stir in the ribboned fresh basil for an extra burst of flavor. Serve immediately, garnishing individual plates with toasted and coarsely chopped pecans, if using. Enjoy this indulgent Sweet Potato Pasta while hot!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Sweet Potatoes: This recipe uses approximately 1 pound of sweet potatoes, which translates to about 2 medium-sized potatoes or 3-1/4 cups once peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. It is critical to keep the cubes uniform and small to ensure they roast evenly and quickly.

Note 2: Yellow Onion: You’ll need about 1 small yellow onion for this recipe, yielding roughly 1-1/2 cups once peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Consistent sizing helps with even roasting.

Note 3: Goat Cheese Type: For the best results and a smooth, creamy sauce, make sure to use a fresh log of goat cheese (chevre), not pre-crumbled goat cheese. The log form melts much more uniformly into the sauce.

Note 4: Parmesan Cheese: For superior flavor and texture, use a block of Parmesan and grate it finely yourself, or purchase high-quality finely grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded or canned varieties can be too salty or may not melt as smoothly, affecting the sauce’s consistency.

Note 5: Sheet Pan Size Matters: I use a very large (15×21-inch) sheet pan which ensures ample space for the vegetables and sausage to roast perfectly within the specified time. If your ingredients are overcrowded or cut larger, they will steam instead of roast and take much longer to cook. If necessary, use two standard sheet pans to allow for a single layer.

Storage: To store leftover sweet potato pasta, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce’s creaminess.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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