Description
This Boursin Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, and red onion with rich Boursin cheese, tossed with perfectly cooked dry pasta and fresh basil. The recipe comes together in about 40 minutes, making it an accessible and impressive meal, perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 medium red onion, roughly chopped
- 5-7 cloves garlic
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 3-4 leaves fresh basil, torn (optional)
Dairy
- 1 package Boursin cheese (any variety, such as cracked pepper)
Pantry
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces dry pasta (such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for roasting the vegetables and cheese.
- Prepare Vegetables: Evenly spread the cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped red onion, and garlic cloves in a medium baking dish.
- Add Boursin Cheese: Unwrap the package of Boursin cheese and place it in the center of the baking dish, surrounded by the tomatoes and onions.
- Season and Oil: Drizzle the olive oil generously over the ingredients, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, and add salt and black pepper to taste.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast for 30 to 35 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the cheese is soft and creamy.
- Cook Pasta: While the dish roasts, cook the dry pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Combine Roasted Mixture: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Toss in the torn fresh basil leaves. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir and mix the roasted tomatoes, onions, garlic, and melted Boursin cheese together. Gradually add reserved pasta water to achieve a creamy sauce consistency.
- Mix Pasta and Serve: Stir the cooked pasta into the creamy roasted vegetable and cheese mixture until well coated. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy.
Notes
- You can use any variety of Boursin cheese, but cracked pepper adds a nice mild spice.
- Reserve pasta water is essential for loosening the sauce and ensuring it clings nicely to the pasta.
- Fresh basil provides a fragrant freshness but can be omitted or substituted with other fresh herbs like parsley.
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- This recipe pairs well with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
