Boursin Cheese Pasta
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Once you try my Boursin cheese pasta recipe, it’ll become a staple for busy weeknights. It features al dente pasta with cherry tomatoes, creamy Boursin cheese, and fresh basil. It’s ready in 25 minutes.
Table of Contents
Boursin cheese pasta- the easiest, elegant dinner
When Boursin pasta first went viral on TikTok, I’ll admit I rolled my eyes. I tested dozens of viral recipes, and not all of them live up to the hype. But after one bite, I was hooked. Ironically, it’s something I grew up eating, as my mom had a similar baked cheese pasta dish called ‘the French pasta bake’. Go figure.
I tested it with various pasta shapes and found that short, ridged pastas hold the sauce best. Now, it’s become a true weeknight staple- my partner even requests it more than my (also TikTok famous) Gigi Hadid pasta.
- It’s quick and delicious. You’ll be surprised at the depth of flavor you can achieve with such a speedy recipe.
- Make ahead. Boursin pasta makes for delicious leftovers. I highly suggest making a double batch so you can save it throughout the week.
What readers are saying
★★★★★ – “Made this last night with rigatoni – my kids asked for seconds and couldn’t believe it was so quick.” – Hannah
★★★★★ – “I used vegan Boursin, and it turned out fantastic. Creamy, cheesy, and so simple.” – Mark
Key Ingredients
- Boursin cheese. I’ve made this dish with original, garlic & herb, and shallot & chive. All work beautifully, though garlic and herb gave the richest flavor. If you prefer something milder, stick to the plain option.
- Cherry tomatoes. For sweetness, flavor, and color. I bought a mixed container with red, yellow, and orange tomatoes.
- Extra virgin olive oil. To roast the tomatoes and garlic.
- Garlic. Use freshly minced garlic cloves. If you don’t have fresh garlic, substitute it with garlic powder.
- Red pepper flakes. Optional, but I love some subtle hit. Leave it out if you don’t want any spice.
- Pasta. I love using cavatappi (pictured), farfalle, penne, rigatoni, shell, or fusilli for this recipe. I had some readers ask if it works with spaghetti or linguine, so I tested it in September 2024 and found the sauce keeps slipping off. Gluten-free pasta should also work.
- Salt and black pepper. To taste.
- Pasta cooking water. Reserve some of the pasta water before draining the pasta to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
- Parmesan. A trick that has stuck with me since culinary school- freshly grated Parmesan (from a wedge) melts better, yielding a nuttier flavor and a creamier sauce.
- Basil leaves. For garnish. Fresh parsley also works.
How to make Boursin cheese pasta
For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Assemble. Arrange the tomatoes in an even layer in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Place the Boursin cheese on top.
Step 2- Bake for 20 minutes.
Step 3- Make the pasta (while the sauce bakes). Set a pot of water over medium-high heat and bring the pasta to a boil according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
Step 4- Combine. Remove the baking dish from the oven and stir the tomatoes and cheese together. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water and toss to combine. Fold in the parmesan cheese and basil.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Add the water a little at a time. In culinary school, we were taught that pasta water is liquid gold: it transforms a good sauce into a silky one. That’s exactly why I recommend adding it slowly until the sauce coats every piece of pasta.
- Make a smooth sauce. For an extra-creamy sauce, blend the baked cheese and tomato mixture with pasta water, then fold in the pasta.
Recipe variations
Make it vegan. Believe it or not, Boursin now offers a vegan version. I did a side-by-side taste test, and it was pretty good! Use this and swap the parmesan for nutritional yeast.
Use a different cheese. The original TikTok pasta used Feta cheese instead of Boursin, so give that a try.
Add more veggies. For some Mediterranean flavor, I love adding olives, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Peas or chopped broccoli florets are great for a boost of greens.
Add protein. If I want a heartier meal, I’ll fold through some cooked sliced chicken breast or shredded chicken breast (my IP shredded chicken is great here).
How to store leftovers
Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze the pasta for up to 3 months – just let it cool completely first. To reheat, you can either microwave it in 30-second intervals or warm it up in a small pan with a tablespoon of milk.
Can you make this ahead of time? Yes, if you’d like to prep this in advance, make the pasta and cheese sauce as instructed. Fold the two together, then store them, covered, in the fridge for 1-2 days. Let it come to room temperature for 15 minutes before baking, then bake until warm.
Boursin Cheese Pasta
Video
Ingredients
- 5 1/2 ounces Boursin cheese
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cups pasta uncooked
- 1/4 cup water pasta cooking water
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1/4 cup basil chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F.
- In a medium casserole dish, place the cherry tomatoes and spread out in an even layer. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic.
- Place the Boursin cheese on top of the tomatoes and bake for 20 minutes.
- Cook the pasta as per the package instructions, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
- Remove the dish from the oven and gently stir the tomatoes and cheese together. Add the pasta and pasta cooking water and mix until combined. Fold through the parmesan cheese and basil and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pasta shape: Short tube pasta is best like cavatappi (pictured), rigatoni (video), or farfalle.
- Leftovers: Keep covered in the fridge for up to 4 days or the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: I like to microwave portions with a splash of milk in 30-second intervals.
Nutrition
More easy pasta dinners
- Healthy one-pot pasta– Everything cooks in one pot, including the pasta, which means the starch thickens the sauce naturally.
- Cottage cheese Alfredo– My high-protein take on a classic pasta dish that my partner adores
- Pastina– The Italian comfort food I make whenever I need something warm and simple.
- Protein pasta– My go-to when I want a higher protein pasta bake dinner without sacrificing flavor.
Originally published July 2023
Always a family favorite come dinnertime. The kids actually request it often. I wonder how it would work with spaghetti noodles?
Hi Heather- this works really well with spaghetti or long pasta noodles- i do recommend giving it a really good mix before serving, as the sauce coats tube pasta best.
Hi Arman, This pasta look yummy! What brand of pasta do you recommend? I have tried so many and they just do taste good.
Hi Karen! Oooo I’ve tried many, many pasta brands and my go-to is Dececco- I think it cooks up consistently and doesn’t leave pasta tasting rubbery or wet, which mainstream brands like Barilla can sometimes have. Rao’s are pretty good too!
For me like all dishes with pasta seem Italian. Am I right? Is there any Mexica /other type,
No, not really! You can definitely have Mexican style, French, etc 🙂
What would be similar to Boursin cheese? I cannot find it. Let me know.
Go to the refrigerator section of any supermarket and look for a herb cheese spread. Pick the one you like that will work too.
What would be similar to Boursin cheese? I cannot find it.
This was easy & amazing ! I used the Basil & Chive Boursin & served it w fresh Basil leaves as suggested
I used premium Cherry Tomatoes & I didn’t use any Garlic or Parm cheese ~ there’s enough flavour already
I did have to reduce the baking temp as I found the bake was starting to burn
Next time I will add in Chicken 🙂
😀 love the addition of chicken!