If you love blue cheese, you’re in for a treat! This mouthwatering delicious blue cheese pasta sauce recipe says “comfort food” like no other. With minimal prep time and a rich, creamy texture, it’s the perfect pasta dish to savor when you’re short on time but still craving something deliciously indulgent. Whether you’re a fan of chicken or prefer a vegetarian twist, this recipe has something special in store for everyone who loves the bold, tangy flavors of fromage bleu. So let’s dive into this culinary delight that will have you falling in love with bleu cheese all over again!
Looking for more easy pasta dishes, try these:
Why Is Blue Cheese Blue
Blue cheese gets its distinctive blue or blue-green marbling from the addition of cultures of the mold Penicillium. These mold spores are either mixed into the cheese curd or injected into the cheese, where they grow during the aging process. The mold not only gives blue cheese its characteristic color and veins but also contributes to its unique flavor and texture. The aging process, which occurs in temperature-controlled environments, allows the mold to thrive, creating the cheese’s bold and tangy taste.
Can you melt blue cheese?
Yes, you absolutely can. Once melted, this cheese is quite thick, which is why we loosen up the thickness with a little bit of heavy cream to make a creamy blue cheese sauce.
What’s a good substitute for Blue Cheese?
Gorgonzola cheese is the closest alternative if you are looking for a similar taste. There are also a few types of blue cheeses; like danish blue and Cashel blue. If you want to avoid the smell and taste of blue cheese in this recipe, you can use feta cheese, goat cheese or sharp-aged cheddar cheese as alternatives to crumbled blue cheese.
Do Gorgonzola and Blue cheese taste the same?
They look quite similar, but gorgonzola is a milder blue cheese and a little bit lighter alternative to Blue Cheese. You can easily use Gorgonzola to replace blue cheese in most recipes, just this Blue Cheese Pasta dish!
Ingredients for Easy Blue Cheese Sauce Pasta
- Pasta of your choice. You can use short or long varieties of pasta, like penne or rigatoni. I used linguine for this recipe!
- 175 g of blue cheese
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
- 1 small apple
- 1 small onion
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1 tbsp of lemon juice
- salt & ground pepper to taste
- toasted pine nuts, for garnish
Want to take this blue cheese pasta recipe to the next level?
Try adding some of these ingredients for delicious variations:
- a handful of baby spinach, just to sneak some greens in
- red pepper flakes, for a little extra spice
- chopped green onions
- parmesan cheese, for extra cheesiness
- toasted walnuts
- top with crispy bacon, cut into small pieces
- broccoli florets
Want to add some protein to this pasta recipe? I love added sliced chicken breasts I cook in the air fryer and turn this into a Blue Cheese Chicken Pasta.
How to Make Blue Cheese Pasta Sauce
- Begin by heating olive oil in a large skillet or deep pan over low heat. Toss in the sliced onions, caramelizing them for 15 minutes until they start to take on a golden hue, stirring now and then.
- Introduce chopped apples to the skillet with the onions, continuing the caramelization process for another 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, boil pasta in a sizable pot following the package instructions for al dente texture, adding a generous pinch of salt. Before draining, save 1 cup of the pasta water and set it aside.
- Stir in 3/4 of the blue cheese and the cream into the skillet, increasing the heat to medium-high. Continue cooking until the cheese melts and the mixture begins to bubble.
- Lower the heat to medium, letting the sauce thicken over the next 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Incorporate the cooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring it’s evenly coated with the cheese sauce. Should the sauce be too thick, gradually add pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the preferred consistency.
- Serve the pasta on plates, garnishing with the remaining blue cheese crumbles and any other toppings you fancy.
How to Store Blue Cheese Pasta Sauce
To store blue cheese pasta sauce, first let it cool to room temperature. Then, transfer the sauce into an airtight container and refrigerate. It can be kept for up to 3-4 days.
Blue Cheese Substitutes
If you’re looking for blue cheese substitutes for your pasta sauce, here are three options that can provide similar flavor profiles and creaminess:
- Gorgonzola Cheese: Gorgonzola is a close relative to blue cheese and shares the same tangy and creamy characteristics. It can be used as a direct substitute in your pasta sauce recipe, offering a deliciously pungent flavor.
- Roquefort Cheese: Roquefort cheese is another type of blue cheese that can be used interchangeably with blue cheese in many recipes. It has a sharp and salty flavor that works well in creamy pasta sauces.
- Feta Cheese: While not a perfect match, crumbled feta cheese can be used as a milder substitute for blue cheese in your pasta sauce. It won’t provide the same intense blue cheese flavor, but it will still contribute creaminess and a hint of tanginess.
Remember that the choice of substitute will affect the overall taste of your pasta sauce, so pick the one that aligns with your flavor preferences and dietary restrictions. Adjust the quantity to achieve the desired level of cheesiness and creaminess in your dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does Blue Cheese Smell Bad
Blue cheese has a strong and pungent odor because it undergoes a unique aging process where mold cultures, specifically Penicillium, grow within the cheese. These molds release volatile compounds that give blue cheese its distinctive smell, which can be perceived as strong or “bad” to some people, but is considered a desirable characteristic by cheese enthusiasts.
Is Blue Cheese Bad for You
Blue cheese, like all foods, can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It’s rich in calcium and protein but also high in calories and saturated fats. For individuals with specific health conditions, such as high blood pressure or a high risk of heart disease, it’s wise to consume it sparingly. Additionally, due to its mold content, people with a mold allergy should avoid blue cheese.
Easiest Blue Cheese Sauce Pasta
Ingredients
- Pasta of your choice
- 175 g of blue cheese
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
- 1 small apple
- 1 small onion
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1 tbsp of lemon juice
- salt & ground pepper to taste
- toasted pine nuts, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet or deep frying pan, add the olive oil to low heat. Add the sliced onion and caramelize for 15 minutes until the colour starts to turn golden, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chopped apple to the onions and continue to caramelize for an additional 15 minutes.
- Cook pasta in a large pot according to package directions for al dente, with a heavy pinch of salt. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before straining and set aside.
- Add 3/4 of the blue cheese to your skillet along with the cup of cream. Raise the temperature to medium-high heat, and cook until the cheese is melted and starts to bubble.
- Reduce temperature to medium heat and allow to thicken for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cooked pasta to the frying pan and mix until the pasta is well coated in the cheese sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add in 1 tablespoon of pasta water until desired consistency.
- Add the pasta to plates and top with the remaining blue cheese crumbles and any other garnish of your choice.
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
