Farfalle with Tomato-Goat Cheese Cream Sauce

  I absolutely LOVE goat cheese! It has such a mild, tangy flavor and pairs well with the tomato base in this pasta dish. Plus for some reason, eating goat cheese makes me feel like I'm eating a super fancy meal at a restaurant. 
If you are not a big fan of goat cheese or think it might be a little pricey, you can easily swap it out with low-fat cream cheese and get a similar result. The toasted pine nuts add a little crunch on top and complement well with this dish. I love how fast this meal comes together, so if you are short on time, this is a recipe to try. Enjoy!

*This recipe is adapted from a Vegeterian Times Magazine. You can find the original recipe here.

Pasta Recipe 

Serves: 6 Prep: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes

12 oz farfalle pasta (bow-ties)
1 cup frozen peas
2 TB pine nuts
1/2 TBS olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 1/4 c prepared creamy tomato soup
1/4 cup milk or half and half
1 TB dry white wine (optional)
3 oz (6TB) goat cheese
Parmesan cheese (optional)

 1. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente, adding peas during last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain in colander, and set aside. Quickly return empty pot to same burner (with heat off). Wait a few seconds until pot looks dry, then add pine nuts. Cook over medium heat 1 minute, or until fragrant and lightly toasted. Transfer nuts to plate.

2. Add oil to pot, and sauté garlic over medium heat 15 seconds, or until just beginning to brown. Add tomatoes and cook for 2 more minutes. Stir in soup, half-and-half, and wine, if using; bring to a brisk simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer gently 3 minutes, or until mixture is slightly reduced and begins to thicken, stirring occasionally. Add cheese, and cook 2 to 3 minutes more, or until cheese is completely melted into sauce, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
3. Stir pasta, peas, and nuts into sauce in pot; toss well, and serve. Top with Parmesan Cheese
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Plan and Prep Ahead 

Here are some helpful techniques to make life a little easier once dinner time hits. These tips will especially help those that work full-time and don't have a lot of time to prepare dinner. 

~Chop tomatoes and garlic up ahead of time.

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Who likes to CHANGE IT UP? 

 ~Switch out a penne or any small shaped pasta instead of farfalle.
~Instead of pine nuts, toast up some pecans or walnuts. 
~Try edemame or lime beans instead of peas. 
~Use boursin or low-fat cream cheese instead of goat cheese.

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