20-Minute Creamy Gorgonzola Pasta
I don’t talk about beauty often but I think that will be the subject of this post, aside from Creamy Gorgonzola Pasta being the main subject. So beauty – do you have any secrets? I sure don’t. It’s never really been at the top of my priority list. I get my hair cut (maybe) twice a year. I have never cared much to wear jewelry; I’ve had my ears pierced since I was a baby but you will seldom find me wearing earrings. I’ve never been too fussy about makeup or perfume and rarely have I worn lip gloss, let alone lip stick.
However, it’s almost like a flip switched recently. Proof: I have been using dry shampoo for the past few months. A year ago, I would have laughed at the idea. I became addicted to buying fun jewelry any and everywhere – gold jewelry, as-in yellow gold. Who am I? I’m the girl who swore she would never wear gold. Well, here we are in 2014 and I wear yellow gold more than white gold or silver. I also bought lipstick recently. And I actually wear it. And makeup in general…well, lately I have felt so bleh with my makeup, like it doesn’t last all day and like it’s so dull. So last night I treated myself to a little Sephora trip and I feel so extremely ridiculous that I’m so excited about my new stuff. It’s amazing what a little beauty pampering will do for your spirits!
So maybe taking an interest in beauty is not such a bad thing after all.
Something else completely and totally unrelated to beauty that I’ve recently discovered I have an affinity for: Gorgonzola cheese. I can tell you without a doubt that it all started the first time I made Laurie’s (outstanding) stuffed dates last spring and I’ve fallen in love slowly and wonderfully since.
We had some Gorgonzola in the fridge that needed to be eaten up, and we had some dates in the pantry, so I decided to use the flavor combo that works so well in Laurie’s recipe and turn it into a quick and simple pasta dish. Ohmygoodness. This pasta is out of this world. It’s cheesy without being heavy, it’s so flavorful with the sweetness of the dates balancing the tangy cheese. A match made in cheesy pasta heaven.
20-Minute Creamy Gorgonzola Pasta
Yield: 4 servings
Total Time: 20 min
Super creamy, cheesy and flavorful recipe for a simple weeknight pasta with Gorgonzola and Asiago cheese and dates.
Ingredients:
12 ounces whole wheat pasta (+1/2 cup cooking water reserved)
1 Tbs. olive oil
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
3 ounces Gorgonzola cheese
2 ounces Asiago cheese, freshly grated
1/2 cup chopped dates
2 Tbs. finely chopped parsleyDirections:
Cook the pasta according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water when finished.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the shallot and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, or until the shallot and garlic are soft and fragrant. Add the crushed red pepper, salt and black pepper and stir well, continuing to cook until the shallots are very tender, about 3 more minutes. Add the wine and scrape the bottom of the pan to pull up any bits and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced, and then add the chicken broth
Add the Gorgonzola, Asiago, and the dates and stir well until the cheese begins to melt. Add the pasta water as necessary in small batches. Once the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy, add the cooked pasta and stir well to combine.
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I love gorgonzola!! This looks sooo good!
LOVE gorgonzola anything!! Bet this pasta is amazing!
I’ve been going through the same thing girl – except the other day I actually bought eye cream to keep my eyes from looking so tired. I felt so grown up and totally clueless!
It really is amazing how some makeup, jewelery, and smell good perfume can make you feel good. This is going to sound silly, but if Ive had a particularly hard week with my kids, and haven’t worn anything except workout clothes and yoga pants, I get dressed, put on some makeup, spray some perfume, and do my hair, even if Im not going anywhere. It makes me feel human and happy
It’s silly, but it’s the little things! Glad you’re feeling good 
On the other hand, Im totally loving this pasta..the gorgonzola looks soooo creamy!
Creamy cheesy pasta in 20 minutes?! I’m in
I’m loving this savory-sweet combo of gorgonzola and dates. And you just reminded me that I’m overdue for a trip to Sephora. Must. Practice. Restraint.
You have no idea how much I love dates and Gorgonzola cheese. Would have never thought to put them in pasta…wow…wow. And yes, makeup…it can make you feel better sometimes…!
Gorgonzola is soooo good! It’s fantastic in a creamy pasta dish. I can’t wait to make this!
I really need to try dry shampoo that would definitely come in handy every other day.
I’m semi obsessed with Gorgonzola right now — I put it in EVERYTHING! Loving the sweet and savory combo with the cheese and dates in a pasta. Definitely my kind of dinner.
This recipe looks great, however you didn’t say when to add the wine…would you use it in place of the broth? Thanks!
Cassie replied: — January 22nd, 2014 @ 1:49 pm
Hi Jeanne, thanks for catching that. I just added it in the instructions. Enjoy!
This sounds wonderful, perfect comfort food! As for beauty, my thing is curled hair…I feel like at almost 30 I should master that the way some people have, but can never quite work up enough caring
Hmmm maybe a trip to Sephora is what I need to reinspire my beauty routine. It would be fun to surprise the.boy with some actual makeup for a date night!
I love gorgonzola, this pasta looks incredible!
I am drooling over this pasta. It looks ah-mazing!
This looks amazing, Cassie! We both loooove gorgonzola over here, so I know this would be a hit
Love gorgonzola in pasta! Love the cheese and date combination!
I’m totally with you on the beauty thing. and I would definitely eat THE HECK outta this pasta!
Cassie you know I’m all over this! Gorgonzola is my favorite and then you put it in pasta! I love it!
I never used to be a big gold person either, but I have been wearing it more and more the last couple of years!
Me and beauty fight all the time. I soooo want to be a “put together girly girl” but it just never works out that way!
Love the 20 minute meal!
I just had an Ulta-palooza shopping spree recently, too. I had to change it up bit myself.
can I did into this gorgonzola pasta and wear my new makeup and be all fancy? YAY!
I go in spurts feeling the same way about beauty stuff. I like to splurge on face creams usually, I love Origins and Philosophy Hope in a Jar. I don’t wear a ton of makeup daily but I always put on some mascara (the cheap stuff in the hot pink tube – maybelline? – and MAC love child lipgloss. Other than that I hardly fuss.
This pasta looks incredible! I just made a creamy feta pasta for the first time…I am obsessed with gorgonzola so I have to try this!
Ooooooooo yes, yes yes! All over it.
An interest in beauty is definitely NOT bad thing! Putting the effort to look goo d- and thus feel good – is definitely worth it
This pasta sounds delicious, Cassie!
Sephora is like a crack house. I love the Naked3 eye shadow palette more than should be allowed.
But I’m more excited about gorgonzola pasta! That looks fantastic!
Omg I have leftover Gorgonzola to use up!! Also if you want makeup that last I must give a shout out to MAC. It’s pricier but it lasts forever because a little goes a long way. I can’t buy pharmacy makeup anymore but like you said, it’s amazing how a little makeup goes a long way for boosting our moods!!