Introduction

Oh, friends, gather ’round! Do you ever have those nights where you’re craving something incredibly comforting, something that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, but you also just don’t have the energy for a whole production in the kitchen? I know I do! That’s exactly why I fell head-over-heels in love with this Boursin Baked Pasta. It’s a recipe that’s as simple as it is spectacular, using just a few key ingredients to create a truly magical meal. Seriously, the first time I made this, I couldn’t believe how a few humble ingredients could transform into something so rich and delicious with so little effort. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like a kitchen wizard without breaking a sweat!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, from start to finish, this is a weeknight warrior.
Easy: Minimal chopping, minimal fuss. It’s practically foolproof!
Giftable: Imagine bringing this warm and bubbly dish to a friend who’s under the weather or just moved in. Pure thoughtfulness!
Crowd-pleasing: Even the pickiest eaters in my house rave about this creamy, cheesy goodness. It’s a guaranteed hit!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this dreamy pasta dish. It’s all about quality ingredients here, letting the Boursin cheese shine!

2 (5.2 ounce) packages Boursin Cheese (Garlic and Herb): This is the star of the show! Its creamy texture and infused garlic and herb flavor are what make this dish so special. I like to use the classic Garlic & Herb, but feel free to experiment with other flavors if you can find them!
2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes: These little guys burst in the oven, creating a sweet, juicy base for the sauce.
3 to 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil: For that rich, Mediterranean flavor and to help everything roast beautifully.
4 garlic cloves, minced: Because what’s pasta without garlic? More garlic is always welcome in my kitchen!
Salt and pepper to taste: The usual suspects, essential for bringing out all the flavors.
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes: Just a little hint of warmth to balance the richness. Add more if you like a bit of a kick!
10 to 16 ounces pasta: Your favorite shape will do! Penne, rotini, shells – they all work wonderfully.
1/2 cup reserved pasta water: This magical liquid helps create that luscious, creamy sauce. Don’t skip this step!
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped: For a burst of fresh, aromatic flavor.
1 cup fresh baby spinach, optional, chopped: A little green never hurt anyone, and it wilts down beautifully into the sauce!
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese: For that extra salty, umami punch that makes everything better.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens, and it’s so, so simple.

Prep your oven: First things first, preheat your oven to a cozy 400°F (200°C). Get it nice and warm for our ingredients.
Get everything in the dish: Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dump in your Boursin cheese, those beautiful cherry tomatoes, the olive oil, minced garlic, a good pinch of salt and pepper, and those red pepper flakes. Give it a gentle mix to combine.
Bake it up: Pop that dish into the preheated oven and let it bake for about 20 minutes. You want to see those tomatoes starting to soften and burst, and the Boursin cheese getting all melty and dreamy.
Cook your pasta: While your Boursin and tomatoes are doing their thing in the oven, get your pasta cooking according to the package directions. Aim for “al dente” – that perfect bite that’s not too soft, not too firm. Before you drain your pasta, make sure to scoop out and reserve about 1/2 cup of that starchy pasta water. This is your secret sauce ingredient!
Create the sauce: Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven (use those oven mitts!). Now, grab a spoon or spatula and stir those roasted tomatoes and the melted Boursin cheese together. It’ll look a little messy at first, but trust the process – it’s going to become a glorious sauce.
Combine everything: Add your cooked pasta directly into the baking dish with the Boursin mixture. Pour in that reserved pasta water and stir everything together until the pasta is beautifully coated in a creamy, dreamy sauce.
Add the fresh stuff: Toss in your chopped fresh basil and the optional baby spinach. Stir it all up until the spinach wilts down into the warm pasta. It adds such a lovely freshness and a pop of color.
The final touch: Stir in that freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It melts into the sauce, making it even richer and more delicious.
Serve and enjoy: Serve this incredible Boursin Baked Pasta immediately. It’s best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Here are some ideas to make it your own:

Boursin Flavors: While Garlic & Herb is classic, try Boursin’s Shallot & Chive or even their Black Pepper for a different flavor profile.
Veggies: Feel free to add other quick-cooking veggies like sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or even some frozen peas stirred in at the end.
Protein Boost: Add cooked chicken, Italian sausage, or shrimp for a heartier meal.
Herbs: If you don’t have fresh basil, a teaspoon of dried basil stirred in with the sauce ingredients will work in a pinch. A little fresh parsley is also a lovely garnish.
Spice Level: If you love a kick, add more red pepper flakes or even a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to ensure your Boursin Baked Pasta is always a winner!

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Remember to cook your pasta until it’s al dente. It will continue to cook slightly in the oven, so you don’t want it mushy.
Reserve Enough Pasta Water: This is crucial for achieving that perfect creamy sauce. If you forget to reserve it, you can always use a little milk or cream, but the pasta water is truly the best for emulsifying the sauce.
Give the Tomatoes Time to Burst: The 20 minutes in the oven is key for softening those tomatoes and releasing their juices. If they still look a little firm, give them a few more minutes.
Prep Ahead: You can assemble the Boursin, tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in the baking dish earlier in the day and refrigerate it. Just bring it to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before baking, or add a few extra minutes to the bake time.

How to Store It

Leftovers are wonderful! Once cooled, store any leftover Boursin Baked Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave. You might need to add a splash of water or milk to loosen up the sauce a bit.

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers!

Q: Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
A: While Boursin is a key component, you could experiment with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. However, the classic creamy texture relies heavily on the Boursin, so it will be different.

Q: What kind of pasta is best?
A: Honestly, any pasta shape that can hold sauce well is great! Penne, rigatoni, farfalle (bow-ties), or rotini are all excellent choices.

Q: Can I bake this in a smaller dish?
A: Yes, you can! If you use a smaller dish, you might need to reduce the baking time slightly. Keep an eye on it to make sure the tomatoes burst and the cheese is melty.

Q: How can I make the sauce richer?
A: For an even richer sauce, you can stir in a tablespoon or two of heavy cream or half-and-half along with the reserved pasta water. So decadent!

Easiest Boursin Baked Pasta

A simple yet spectacular weeknight pasta dish featuring creamy Boursin cheese, burst cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil for a comforting and flavorful meal.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

9x13 inch baking dish
Pot For cooking pasta
Colander

Ingredients

Main ingredients

10.4 ounce Boursin Cheese (Garlic and Herb) Use classic Garlic & Herb or experiment with other flavors.
2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes These will burst in the oven to create the sauce base.
3.5 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil For flavor and roasting.
4 cloves garlic minced
to taste salt
to taste pepper
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes Adjust for desired spice level.
13 ounce pasta Your favorite shape like penne, rotini, or shells.
0.5 cup reserved pasta water Crucial for creating a creamy sauce.
0.25 cup fresh basil chopped
1 cup fresh baby spinach optional, chopped
0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, combine Boursin cheese, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix gently.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until tomatoes start to soften and burst, and the Boursin cheese is melty.
While the Boursin mixture bakes, cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Stir the roasted tomatoes and melted Boursin cheese to create a sauce.
Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish. Pour in the reserved pasta water and stir until the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
Stir in the chopped fresh basil and optional spinach until the spinach wilts.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is easily adaptable. Consider trying different Boursin flavors, adding other quick-cooking vegetables like sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers, or incorporating protein like cooked chicken or Italian sausage. For extra richness, a tablespoon or two of heavy cream can be added with the pasta water.