This Boursin Pasta is a rich, creamy one-dish meal that combines herb-infused melted Boursin cheese with juicy cherry and grape tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives, fresh baby spinach, and spiral pasta. Baked in a single casserole, it’s simple to prepare and makes an impressive, comforting dinner.
I love recipes that require minimal cleanup and can be served straight from the baking dish. Boursin is a soft French cheese blended with herbs and garlic that melts into a silky sauce—an ideal addition to pasta for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual entertaining dish.
Why You’ll Love This Boursin Pasta Recipe
- Bold flavor. Boursin comes in several varieties—garlic & fine herbs is my go-to—but any flavor you prefer will lend rich, savory notes to the sauce.
- Bright vegetables. Both cherry and grape tomatoes roast down to release concentrated sweetness. Combined with olives and spinach, they add texture and freshness that balance the creamy cheese.
- Effortless. Cook the pasta, bake the tomato-cheese mixture in a casserole dish, then combine everything for a satisfying meal that’s ready in under an hour and uses just a few dishes.
What You’ll Need
Below are the main ingredients for this baked Boursin pasta. Exact amounts are listed in the recipe card further down.
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Cherry and grape tomatoes for both flavor and texture
- Pitted Kalamata olives for a tangy, briny contrast
- Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil and oregano)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Boursin cheese (two packages)
- Shaped pasta such as funghetti, fusilli, penne, or ziti
- Reserved pasta cooking water to help emulsify the sauce
- Fresh baby spinach (or chopped regular spinach)
- Freshly grated Parmesan to finish
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
How To Make Boursin Pasta
This recipe turns simple ingredients into a flavorful, baked pasta in just a few straightforward steps. Roast the tomatoes and olives with Boursin until the cheese melts, then toss with cooked pasta and fresh greens for a creamy, herb-forward dish.
- Preheat and cook. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente and reserve 1/3 cup of the cooking water before draining.
- Assemble. In a casserole dish, toss cherry and grape tomatoes with sliced Kalamata olives, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add the cheese. Make two small wells in the tomato mixture and nest a package of Boursin in each well.
- Bake. Bake 25–30 minutes until the tomatoes have softened and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Combine. Remove from the oven and gently stir the tomatoes and melted Boursin together to form a creamy sauce.
- Add spinach. Stir in the baby spinach until it wilts from the residual heat.
- Toss with pasta. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water, stirring until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
- Finish and serve. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan, toss to combine, garnish with basil leaves, and serve warm.
Tips & Variations
Here are a few simple ideas to tailor the dish to your taste:
- Keep the pasta water. A small amount of reserved cooking water helps bind the cheese into a silky sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Choose textured pasta. Spirals, penne, ziti, or macaroni trap sauce and bits of tomato for better flavor in every bite.
- Add or swap vegetables. Tomatoes add essential sweetness, but you can increase the spinach or add zucchini, mushrooms, or peas for variety.
- Omit olives if desired. Kalamata olives add a briny counterpoint, but the recipe is still delicious without them.
- Make it meaty. Stir in cooked Italian sausage or crumbled bacon for a heartier meal.
Serving Suggestions
This rich pasta pairs well with lighter sides to balance the meal.
- Fresh salad. A crisp green or tomato salad brightens the richness of the pasta.
- Crusty bread. A fresh loaf is perfect for sopping up any leftover sauce.
- Protein sides. Serve alongside roasted or grilled chicken or salmon for a more substantial menu.
How To Store Leftovers
Store leftover Boursin pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, or microwave portions in 30-second intervals until hot. Add a splash of water if the sauce seems dry when reheating.
More Easy Pasta Dishes
- Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
- Lasagna Roll Ups
- Chicken Piccata
- Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
Boursin Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 10.4 ounces Boursin cheese (2 packages)
- 2 cups dry funghetti or fusilli pasta
- ⅓ cup reserved pasta cooking water
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh basil leaves
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F.
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ⅓ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain.
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While the pasta cooks, combine cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and Kalamata olives in a casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper; toss to coat.
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Make two small wells in the tomato mixture and place a package of Boursin in each well.
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Bake 25–30 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and the cheese melts and releases juices.
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Remove from the oven and stir the tomatoes and melted Boursin together to create a smooth sauce.
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Stir in the fresh baby spinach until it wilts from the heat.
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Add the cooked pasta and reserved cooking water, stirring until everything is well combined and coated in the sauce.
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Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan, toss to blend, garnish with basil, and serve.
Notes
- Reserve the pasta water. It helps form a creamy sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Pasta shapes. Use textured shapes like spirals, penne, or macaroni to better trap the sauce.
- Experiment with veggies. Keep the tomatoes for sweetness, but feel free to add zucchini, mushrooms, or peas. Olives are optional.
- Add protein. Cooked Italian sausage or bacon can be stirred in to make the dish heartier.
- Storage. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate provided as a courtesy. Values may vary depending on ingredients and preparation. Use your preferred nutrition calculator for precise details.
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