Boursin Pasta Recipe

You’ll love this Boursin pasta recipe. Why? There are too many reasons to state, but trust me. I personally love it because the sauce is gluten-free and super easy to make. Throw it on top of regular pasta, gluten-free pasta, or even zucchini noodles for a lower-carb version.

This recipe is the perfect elevated dinner for the whole family during busy weeknights. With minimal prep, it’s literally the perfect minute dinner idea.

What You’ll Need for Boursin Cheese Pasta

Olive Oil. Olive oil serves as the base for sautéing the garlic, tomatoes, and spinach. Its fruity, aromatic quality adds a layer of richness to the dish. It also helps to evenly distribute the heat and flavors among the other ingredients, acting as a vehicle that marries all the elements together.

Garlic. Garlic adds that quintessential aromatic note that makes pasta dishes memorable. Its pungency gives depth and character to the sauce, making the flavors of the other ingredients pop. Sautéing the garlic in olive oil mellows its sharpness, creating a gentle, underlying taste that infuses the entire dish. For an extra kick, add a few shallots to garlic.

Tomatoes (optional). Tomatoes offer both acidity and sweetness, balancing out the creamy and cheesy elements in the pasta. They add a burst of juiciness that keeps the dish from becoming too heavy, and their natural sugars caramelize slightly when cooked, giving the sauce a rich, complex flavor.

Spinach (optional). Spinach brings a touch of earthiness and a dash of color to the pasta dish. It wilts down when cooked, absorbing the flavors of the garlic and olive oil, while also contributing its own mild, leafy taste. Plus, it adds a nutritious element, providing essential vitamins and minerals.

Basil. Basil gives the dish a fragrant, herbal aroma that pairs excellently with both the tomatoes and the Boursin cheese. It adds a layer of complexity, a hint of anise-like sweetness, and a refreshing, peppery edge that elevates the overall flavor profile.

Herb Boursin. Herb Boursin is the star of the show, bringing creamy, tangy richness that transforms this from a standard pasta dish into something special. It melts seamlessly into the sauce, infusing it with flavors of garlic and herbs, creating a luxurious, velvety texture that coats every piece of pasta perfectly.

Pasta of Choice. Rigatoni or penne are great choices for this dish due to their large, ridged shapes, which allow them to hold onto the cheesy, creamy sauce well. Its robust structure stands up to the hearty ingredients, making each bite a harmonious blend of pasta and toppings. 

What Does Boursin Taste Like?

Heaven? Is that an appropriate answer? Boursin has a distinct, velvety texture akin to cream cheese but offers a more complex flavor profile. It is infused with fine herbs like chives and parsley, along with garlic and sometimes other seasonings. The combination of these fine herbs creates the perfect burst of flavors and taste. It literally goes well with everything. I’ve used it for everything from pasta sauces like this one to adding it to chicken and rice casseroles, throwing it all in a baking dish and then into the oven.

How to Make Boursin Cheese Pasta Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (can also use grape tomatoes)
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 package (5.2 oz) Herb Boursin cheese
• 12 oz pasta of your choice (e.g., fettuccine, spaghetti)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
2. Sauté Garlic: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
3. Cook the Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they start to soften and release their juices.
4. Wilt the Spinach: Add the baby spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Add Basil and Season: Stir in the chopped fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Incorporate Boursin: Reduce the heat to low and add the Herb Boursin cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and forms a creamy sauce.
7. Combine and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your liking. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

Ratio Instructions

For a creamier texture, you may adjust the amount of Boursin cheese to pasta as you like. If you prefer a lighter dish, reduce the amount of Boursin to half a package and compensate by adding a bit more olive oil and pasta water to make the sauce.

Boursin Pasta Recipe Variations

Up the protein. Add some protein to this pasta dish and make it a more well-rounded meal, consider adding either chicken breast or chicken tenderloins for a protein kick. The addition of chicken not only provides a rich source of protein but also complements the creamy, herbaceous flavors of the Boursin cheese and the aromatic, fresh elements of garlic, tomatoes, and basil. If you’re going veggie, try adding in some cooked edamame, they hold up great next to the cheesy sauce.

Throw in leftovers. If you have leftover protein that is already cooked, you can use that as well. From leftover shredded chicken to leftover tri-tip, to even leftover lamb, it will all taste delicious in this recipe.

Add in some veggies. Up the nutrition even more in this dish by adding veggies. From Broccoli to asparagus to even peas, carrots, or bell peppers (red peppers are my personal fave!) Any veggie with complement this dish well. I recommend cooking the veggies separately and then adding them to the dish before serving.

Go Dairy-Free. Before you scream, “Not possible!” Hear me out. Boursin actually makes a dairy-free version. So simply swap out the original version with their dairy-free version. Is your mind blown? Mine was!

Make it a bake. Once you’ve prepared the pasta and sauce according to the original recipe, simply transfer the mixture to a casserole dish. Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella or your cheese of choice on top for that gooey finish. Place the dish in a preheated 375°F oven and bake until the cheese is melted and slightly golden, about 20-25 minutes. This will turn your stovetop creation into a satisfying pasta bake.

Other Ways I Use Boursin

It’s no secret that I’m a bit obsessed with Boursin. But for good reason. It’s sort of the perfect food. With this obsession has come dozens of ways I’ve tried to consume more of it. I’ll admit, that not all my recipe experiments have come out as well as I’ve planned, but a few have! Below are three of my favorite ways to get my Boursin fix.

I Stuff Chicken Breasts with It

Slather Boursin between a butterflied chicken breast with some spinach. Bake it and serve it with a side salad and a baked potato. It’s such an easy, yet tasty meal for a busy weekend. You can also add a bit of bacon in there as well. I know that sounds extra, and it is, but wow is it good!

I make Boursin Mashed Potatoes

Why use sour cream, whole milk or half-and-half when you could use Boursin? It not only adds a creaminess but also a saltiness and the flavor of the herbs. 

I Make the Best Deviled Eggs

Instead of the traditional mayo, add Boursin to the cooked egg yolks instead. It is dense, so you might want to add a tad bit of sour cream or milk to thin it a bit. 

Boursin Pasta FAQs

What is the best way to eat Boursin Cheese?

Boursin cheese is incredibly versatile, making it a delightful addition to a variety of dishes. It can be simply spread on crackers or slices of baguette as an appetizer. It also melts well, which makes it ideal for incorporating into pasta dishes, stuffings, or sauces. For a quick gourmet touch, you can even top a cooked steak or chicken breast with a dollop of Boursin right before serving.

What is Boursin Cheese made of?

Boursin Cheese is primarily made of pasteurized cow’s milk and cream, giving it its rich, creamy texture. It’s also blended with a mixture of fine herbs and seasonings, most commonly garlic, chives, and parsley. These ingredients are what give Boursin its unique and luxurious flavor profile, setting it apart from other cream-based cheeses.

What style of cheese is Boursin?

Boursin is a type of soft, cream-based cheese that hails from France. It is often classified as a Gournay cheese, a specific kind of French cheese that is similar in texture to cream cheese but is enriched with fine herbs and seasonings like garlic, chives, green onion, and parsley. This combination of a creamy base with aromatic herbs gives Boursin its distinct, luxurious flavor.

What to Serve With Cheesy Boursin Pasta

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Have questions or suggestions about this Boursin cheese pasta recipe? Leave them in the comments below.