# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)
→ Tomato Sauce
02 - 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
04 - 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
06 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
07 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Goat Cheese Snowflake
08 - 8 oz fresh goat cheese log
09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
11 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Finish
12 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
13 - 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)
# Preparation steps:
01 - Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
02 - Combine cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a large ovenproof baking dish; toss to coat evenly.
03 - Place the goat cheese log in the center of the tomato mixture. In a small bowl, blend Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, and olive oil; sprinkle this evenly over the cheese to mimic a snowflake pattern.
04 - Bake the mixture for 25 to 30 minutes until tomatoes soften and blister and goat cheese is golden on top.
05 - While baking, cook pasta in salted boiling water following package instructions until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
06 - Remove the baking dish from the oven; add the hot pasta and reserved pasta water. Stir gently, breaking up the goat cheese to form a creamy sauce.
07 - Fold in torn basil leaves and pine nuts if using; adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Plate immediately, optionally garnished with extra basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.
