TikTok’s famous Boursin cheese pasta is incredibly easy to make but packs a ton of flavor!
Picture this: tender pasta noodles are enveloped in a velvety Boursin cheese sauce, with hints of garlic and herbs in every bite. It’s like a warm hug for your soul!
I love how the rich, smooth texture of the cheese melts seamlessly into the pasta. It’s no wonder it went viral!
The best part? This dish comes together so easily, even on busy weeknights when you’re short on time. Just a few simple ingredients, a bit of stirring, and voila!
Why You’ll Love This Boursin Cheese Pasta
Viral Sensation: As a trending TikTok dish, Boursin pasta offers a fun and engaging cooking experience. Cook privately or film it and join a global community of food enthusiasts.
Versatile & Customizable: The recipe is highly adaptable. You can tweak it with added veggies, proteins, or different types of pasta. It’s easy to make it suit your dietary needs.
Rich & Creamy: Combining Boursin cheese and burst cherry tomatoes is an inspired idea! Together, they create a rich, creamy sauce that perfectly coats each piece of pasta.
Visually Stunning: You’ll appreciate the vibrant colors of the cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and spinach. They make the dish not only delicious but also gorgeous. It’s ideal for sharing on social media.
Ingredients
- Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese: This creamy, crumbly gourmet cheese is infused with fragrant garlic, parsley, and chives. It’s definitely the star of the show.
- Penne Pasta: Though other small types of pasta will work, penne is my favorite. Its tubular, ridged shape is perfect for capturing the thick cheese sauce.
- Cherry Tomatoes: The juicy, bright red jewels burst while cooking. They release a ton of sweet-n-tangy tomato flavor.
- Garlic: Adding a few extra cloves will amplify the garlicky goodness even more.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use a high-quality brand for depth and richness. It’s also the key to caramelizing the sweet tomatoes.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For a bit of extra heat to balance the decadent cheese sauce.
- Italian Seasoning, Salt, & Black Pepper: To round out the flavor and dial up the authentic Italian taste.
- Baby Spinach: These tender, green leaves melt into the pasta. They add color, nutrients, and an earthy, stabilizing flavor.
- Grated Parmesan: For a salty, umami-packed finish.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Scatter a few of these bright, peppery leaves on top as a final flourish.
How to Make Boursin Cheese Pasta
Here’s a quick overview of the recipe steps.
1. Preheat and prepare. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the tomatoes, Boursin, garlic, oil, red pepper flakes, and seasoning to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper and toss to combine.
2. Bake. Bake, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the cheese melts.
3. Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking water for later.
4. Make the sauce. Remove the baking dish from the oven. Smash the tomatoes and garlic with a fork (gently!) and stir until well-mixed.
5. Combine. Add the spinach and cooked pasta to the baking dish. Toss well to coat. Stir in the pasta water (a little at a time and as needed) until the sauce reaches a silky, smooth consistency.
6. Finish and serve. Taste the pasta. Add more salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and Parmesan, and enjoy!
Tips For the Best Boursin Cheese Pasta
Apply these tips to make this pasta as good as it can be.
- The shorter, the better. As I mentioned, I prefer penne. However, other short shapes will work, too. The important word being “short.” Use penne, fusilli, rigatoni, or other similar shapes.
- Pasta too sticky? Toss it with a bit of olive oil immediately after draining it. The oil will help separate the strands and prevent them from clumping together.
- Don’t add all the pasta water! The recipe instructs you to reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. You may not need all of it! Just add it slowly and in small amounts until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- There’s really no need for holes. Many recipes instruct you to poke holes in the tomatoes to help them burst. This recipe’s high temp and long cooking time will make that happen naturally. Just toss the tomatoes in as they are.
- Select your seasonings. Red pepper flakes can be hot! Add only a few, then taste and add more if needed. The pasta should be a little spicy but not so hot you can’t eat it.
- Put in some elbow grease. Don’t buy pre-grated Parmesan. I know it’s more convenient, but it doesn’t taste as good. Buy a small block and grate it yourself.
Variations
Try these variations to add a tasty twist.
- Pack in some protein. Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage for a heartier dish.
- Add extra veggies. Spinach is great, but so are asparagus, mushrooms, peppers, and zucchini. Add as many veggies as you like. They all taste great and are good for you, too!
- No Boursin cheese? Create a substitute. Use a mix of softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, herbs and garlic.
- Vegan-friendly version. The cheeses are the only thing keeping this recipe from being naturally vegan. Swap them out for your favorite vegan cheese substitutes.
- Skip the pasta! While I love this recipe with pasta, that’s not your only option. You can also make it with brown rice, chickpeas, or lentils!
- Serve with the right sides. Stick to simple side salads and lighter breads. As for wine, opt for a crisp white to complement the garlic and herbs.
How to Store
Like most pasta recipes, Boursin cheese pasta tastes best when fresh. It also doesn’t freeze well. The sauce tends to separate after thawing.
Here’s how to store leftovers.
To Store: Place the fully cooled leftovers in an air-tight container. Refrigerate them for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: If there are lots of leftovers, heat them in a skillet over medium-low heat until warm. Add a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until warm.
Boursin Cheese Pasta
6
servings20
minutes35
543
kcalThis Boursin cheese pasta went viral on TikTok for good reason! It’s a luxurious, creamy, and delicious dish no one can resist!
Ingredients
2 pints cherry tomatoes
2 (5.2-ounce) packages Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 ounces penne pasta
2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
fresh basil leaves, for garnish
grated parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, add the cherry tomatoes, Boursin cheese rounds, minced garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Gently smash the tomatoes and garlic with a fork. Stir everything together into a creamy sauce.
- Add the cooked penne and chopped spinach to the baking dish and toss well to coat the pasta in the sauce. Stir in some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and make it silky. This may not require all the reserved water.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately with grated Parmesan on top. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you don’t have penne pasta, any short pasta shape should suffice.
- Toss the drained pasta with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking if needed.
- Don’t poke holes in the tomatoes. They’ll burst naturally in the high heat. If any don’t, you’ll mash them with a fork later.
- Grate the cheese yourself for the best taste and texture.
