Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Boursin pasta is a delightful blend of comfort and sophistication! Think of it as a grown-up version of mac and cheese. This Boursin cheese pasta recipe creates a sauce that is rich, creamy, and garlicky. Best of all, it’s easy enough to prepare on a busy weeknight.
How long it takes: 45 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: 9 x 13-inch baking dish, large pot
Servings: 4
Creamy Pasta, Minimal Effort
This Boursin pasta recipe is one of those dinners that looks like you put in a lot of effort, but it’s secretly easy to make.
The creamy, herby Boursin cheese melts into the pasta, creating a delicious sauce with minimal effort. Adding juicy roasted tomatoes gives it a touch of elegance, making it feel like something you’d order at a cozy restaurant.
The best part? You only spend about ten minutes preparing it, and the oven does the rest! It’s the perfect recipe for a quick and satisfying meal.
- Comfort food, elevated: Boursin pasta is the perfect combination of comfort food and fancy flavors. It’s similar to baked feta pasta but with its own unique taste. The creamy sauce and juicy cherry tomatoes create a bright and flavorful dish.
- Restaurant quality with minimal effort: The Boursin cheese melts into an ultra-creamy, herb-infused sauce without the need for a roux or heavy cream. It’s a simple way to achieve a restaurant-quality pasta dish at home.
- Highly customizable: This Boursin pasta recipe is versatile and can be adapted to your liking. You can use your favorite pasta shapes, add protein, or incorporate seasonal vegetables to create your own unique twist.
Ingredient Notes for Boursin Pasta
Here’s a closer look at some key ingredients for this Boursin pasta recipe:
- Boursin cheese: This creamy, flavorful cheese is the star of the show! You can use different flavors of Boursin cheese, such as Garlic & Fine Herbs or Shallot & Chive. Both options create delicious results. Experiment to find your favorite!
- Cherry or grape tomatoes: These small tomatoes burst as they roast, releasing their natural juices and caramelizing for extra flavor. They form the base of the sauce and add a touch of sweetness to the dish.
- Shallots and garlic: While optional, shallots add a mellow onion flavor that complements the other ingredients. Combined with garlic, they create a flavorful aromatic base for the sauce.
- Uncooked pasta: You have plenty of options when it comes to pasta shapes. Short shapes like penne, shells, fusilli, cellentani (cavatappi), or even macaroni are ideal for holding onto the creamy Boursin cheese sauce.
- Parmesan cheese: While optional, Parmesan cheese adds a salty, umami flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish. If you omit it, consider adding a little extra salt to compensate.
- Fresh basil or parsley: Freshly chopped herbs provide a bright, aromatic garnish that cuts through the richness of the sauce. While optional, they add a touch of freshness and visual appeal to the dish.
Recipe Tip for Perfect Boursin Pasta
Don’t forget to save the pasta water! Before draining the pasta, reserve about half a cup of the starchy water. This liquid helps the sauce reach the right consistency and gives it a glossy finish. Set a measuring cup near the boiling pasta to remind yourself!
How to Make Boursin Pasta: Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Choose a baking dish (9 x 13-inch glass dish works well) or an oven-safe skillet that is large enough to hold the sauce and the cooked pasta. Peel the shallots and cut them into quarters or eighths, depending on their size.
Start the sauce: In the baking dish or skillet, combine the tomatoes (no need to slice them), cut shallots, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Toss everything together to coat evenly. Nestle the Boursin cheese in the middle of the mixture.
Roast: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes burst and the cheese is softened and golden in spots.
Cook the pasta: While the sauce is baking, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Remember to use salted water to season the pasta from the inside out. Before draining the pasta, reserve about half a cup of the cooking water.
Combine pasta and sauce: Once the sauce is ready, gently mash the tomatoes and Boursin cheese, then stir to combine. Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to coat. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Rest and serve: Let the Boursin pasta rest for about 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe Variations for Boursin Pasta
- Add greens: Stir in a few handfuls of baby spinach or arugula after mixing in the pasta. These tender greens will wilt quickly in the hot pasta and sauce.
- Boost the protein: Add shredded rotisserie chicken, leftover baked chicken breast, cooked shrimp, or canned white beans for extra protein.
- Swap the Boursin flavor: Experiment with different Boursin cheese flavors, such as Black Pepper or Caramelized Onion & Herb, for a unique twist.
- Add vegetables: Roasted mushrooms, steamed broccoli, sautéed zucchini, or roasted red peppers would all be great additions. You can mix them into the pasta or serve them on the side.
Serving Suggestions for Boursin Pasta
Salad: A fresh, crisp salad is the perfect complement to this rich and creamy pasta. Consider a classic Caesar salad with romaine lettuce and homemade croutons or a simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette.
Bread: Garlic bread or warm bakery bread served with a flavorful dipping oil are always great choices. Homemade cheesy bread made with pizza dough or kid-friendly breadsticks would also be delicious.
Veggie sides: Roasted asparagus or air fryer carrots are easy and flavorful side dishes that can be prepared while the Boursin pasta is baking.
Proteins: Serve your Boursin pasta as a side dish with marinated flank steak or air fryer pork chops. Alternatively, add air fryer breaded shrimp on top for a crispy contrast to the creamy pasta.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate: Store leftover Boursin pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Add a splash of water or broth when reheating to loosen the sauce.
Reheat: Warm the pasta over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until heated through and creamy. Freezing is not recommended as the texture of the pasta and sauce may be affected.
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Boursin Pasta Recipe
Recipe by: Rachel Gurk
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Resting Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
* 4 shallots
* 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes
* 4 cloves garlic (minced)
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
* ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
* ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
* 1 package (5.3 ounces) Boursin cheese (Garlic & Fine Herbs or Shallot & Chive)
* 8 ounces uncooked pasta (short shapes like penne, cellentani, shells, or fusilli work best)
* ½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
* Grated Parmesan cheese (for optional garnish)
* Chopped fresh basil or parsley (for optional garnish)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Peel the shallots and cut them into quarters, or eighths if they are large.
3. In a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or large oven-safe skillet, combine tomatoes, shallot, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Toss to coat.
4. Nestle the Boursin cheese in the center of the tomato mixture.
5. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the skins of the tomatoes split and are saucy, and the cheese is soft and golden in spots.
6. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve about ½ cup pasta water before draining.
7. Once the Boursin and tomatoes are done, remove the dish from the oven. Use a spoon to gently mash and stir everything together into a creamy sauce.
8. Add the cooked pasta directly to the baking dish and toss to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce (see note). Let the pasta and sauce sit for 5 minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken slightly as the pasta absorbs more of the liquid.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning. (You may need to add salt if you’re not planning on garnishing with Parmesan.) Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, and serve warm.
Recipe Notes:
* Sauce consistency: Don’t pour in the entire half cup of water all at once. I find that I usually need very little extra water, but it can vary depending on how juicy the tomatoes are or how well you drained the pasta. The sauce should be creamy, not thick or sticky, so it coats the pasta evenly. The starchy water helps give the sauce a nice texture.
* Storage: Refrigerate leftover Boursin pasta for up to 4 days. Add a splash of water or broth when reheating to loosen the sauce, if needed. Boursin pasta doesn’t freeze well.
* Variations: Add a few handfuls of baby spinach or tender arugula right after stirring in the pasta, stirring until wilted. Stir in chopped or shredded rotisserie chicken or white beans for protein. Swap in other Boursin flavors for variety (like Black Pepper or Caramelized Onion & Herb).
Nutrition Information (approximate):
* Calories: 493kcal
* Carbohydrates: 58g
* Protein: 13g
* Fat: 24g
* Saturated Fat: 12g
* Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
* Monounsaturated Fat: 5g
* Cholesterol: 39mg
* Sodium: 559mg
* Potassium: 742mg
* Fiber: 4g
* Sugar: 11g
* Vitamin A: 1584IU
* Vitamin C: 57mg
* Calcium: 80mg
* Iron: 3mg