Baked Boursin Cheese Pasta with Creamy Tomatoes Recipe
This Baked Boursin Cheese Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring roasted grape or cherry tomatoes combined with creamy Boursin’s Garlic and Herb Cheese. Baked together, the tomatoes burst and meld with the cheese to create a luscious sauce, tossed with al dente pasta and fresh basil for a fresh finish. It’s a simple yet elegant meal perfect for a cozy dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 (10 oz) containers Grape or Cherry Tomatoes
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil, julienned
Dairy
- 1 piece Boursin’s Garlic and Herb Cheese (approximately 5 oz)
Pantry/Baking
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/2 pound Pasta (any shape you prefer)
- Hefty pinch kosher salt
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to fully preheat to ensure even baking.
- Prepare tomatoes: In a small baking dish, combine the grape or cherry tomatoes with a generous pinch of kosher salt and olive oil, tossing gently to coat the tomatoes evenly for roasting.
- Add Boursin cheese and seasoning: Nestle the entire piece of Boursin’s Garlic and Herb Cheese into the center of the tomatoes. Drizzle a little more olive oil on top of the cheese, then sprinkle red pepper flakes over everything to add a mild heat.
- Bake the dish: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 1 hour. This slow roasting allows the tomatoes to burst and meld with the creamy cheese.
- Cook the pasta: About 20 minutes before the baking time ends, start boiling your pasta in salted water and cook it until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta; this can be used to loosen the sauce if necessary.
- Combine cheese and tomatoes: When the hour is up, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and stir the roasted tomatoes and melted cheese together to form a creamy sauce.
- Toss pasta with sauce and basil: Add the cooked pasta and fresh julienned basil to the baking dish, tossing thoroughly to coat the pasta with the creamy tomato and cheese sauce. Use reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency if needed.
- Season and serve: Taste the pasta and add salt and pepper as desired. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- You can substitute any pasta shape you like—shells, penne, or fusilli work well to hold the sauce.
- For a spicier kick, add more red pepper flakes according to your taste.
- Use fresh basil for the best aroma and flavor; dried basil is not recommended for this recipe.
- Try using confit or slow-roasted tomatoes for an even deeper flavor if you have time.
