Baked Boursin Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil Recipe
This Baked Boursin Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring blistered cherry tomatoes and rich Boursin cheese baked to perfection and combined with al dente pasta. The roasting of tomatoes enhances their natural sweetness, while the melted Boursin adds a smooth, herby creaminess. Finished with fresh garlic and basil, this recipe is both simple and indulgent, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes (3 1/2 – 4 cups)
- 1 shallot, minced (or 1/2 small onion)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
Dairy
- 2 rounds Boursin cheese (150g each) or 1 large round (250g)
Pantry
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 12 ounces medium-cut pasta
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425ºF to prepare for roasting the tomatoes and cheese.
- Prepare tomatoes and shallots: Place cherry tomatoes and minced shallot (or onion) into a large, broil-safe 9×13″ baking dish. Pour in the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Add the Boursin cheese: Make a well in the center of the tomato mixture large enough to hold the round of Boursin cheese, then place the cheese in the middle of the dish.
- Bake the mixture: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the tomatoes are blistered and the Boursin starts to brown.
- Cook the pasta: About 10 to 15 minutes before the baking time is up, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and keep warm.
- Broil for finish: Once baking time is done, switch the oven to broil. If your pan is broil-safe, broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and tomatoes are nicely blistered. If not, bake at 450ºF for an additional 5-10 minutes as an alternative.
- Mix garlic and break tomatoes: Remove from oven carefully. Add the minced garlic to the hot tomato mixture, then use the back of a wooden spoon to break up the tomatoes and mix thoroughly with the melted Boursin to create a creamy, chunky sauce.
- Add basil: Stir in the chopped fresh basil to combine its fresh aroma and flavor into the sauce.
- Combine with pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and stir well to coat all the noodles with the creamy tomato and cheese sauce. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired and serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use a broil-safe baking dish to safely finish the dish under the broiler.
- If you cannot use the broiler, baking at a higher temperature is an alternative to achieve a bubbly cheese topping.
- The shallot can be substituted with a mild onion if desired.
- For best flavor, use fresh basil and high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
- This dish can be served with a side salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: Baked Boursin Pasta, creamy pasta, cherry tomatoes, baked pasta, easy pasta dish
