Description
Creamy baked pasta with Boursin cheese, roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil. Simple, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (5.2 ounce) package Boursin cheese (garlic & fine herbs flavor recommended)
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your favorite shape)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Optional additions: cooked chicken, shrimp, or vegetables like spinach or mushrooms
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roast Tomatoes: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, add the halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Place the Boursin cheese in the center of the dish.
- Bake: Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the tomatoes are softened and bursting, and the Boursin cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Cook Pasta: While the tomatoes and Boursin are roasting, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Combine: Drain the pasta and add it to the baking dish with the roasted tomatoes and Boursin.
- Create Sauce: Carefully mash the roasted tomatoes and Boursin cheese together with a fork or spoon to create a sauce.
- Mix: Pour in about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the sauce. Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Stir In: Stir in the chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Season: Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta; al dente is best.
- Use good quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Adjust seasoning to your liking.
- Get creative with toppings! Consider adding cooked chicken, shrimp, vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, or pesto.
- For a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes or use spicy Boursin.
- For a vegetarian option, add plenty of vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers.
- Add browned Italian sausage for a hearty dish.
- Stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half for an even creamier sauce.
- You can roast the tomatoes and Boursin cheese ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- You can also assemble the entire dish (except for cooking the pasta) and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes