This Boursin Cheese Pasta Bake is our twist on the viral TikTok version. We have creamy Boursin cheese mingling with pasta, juicy tomatoes, and vibrant spinach, all bathed in a luscious herby sauce — it’s comfort food at its finest, baked to perfection in nearly no time!
Table of Contents
What Is Boursin Cheese Pasta?
Boursin cheese pasta is a baked pasta dish that features a wheel of garlic-and-herb Boursin that melts directly in the oven alongside pasta, tomatoes, and aromatics, creating a glossy, craveable sauce with almost no effort. As everything bakes, the cheese softens and blends with the other ingredients for a silky finish that coats every bite.
This version leans into the baked method that made the viral Boursin pasta so popular, but adds a few tweaks to make it feel complete and balanced. It’s the kind of dish that looks impressive, tastes rich, and still fits neatly into a busy schedule! Plus, this one-dish meal can be served on its own or with simple sides like easy focaccia muffins or a classic Caesar salad.
Ingredients
- Boursin Cheese – This soft, creamy cheese is typically flavored with garlic and herbs, which means instant flavor without extra work. We love using it because it melts smoothly and creates a sauce that feels luxurious with minimal ingredients.
- Pasta – Short shapes like penne or rigatoni are ideal because they trap the creamy sauce inside every ridge. We all love to use orzo!
- Garlic – Fresh cloves add warm, savory depth that builds as the dish bakes.
- Cherry Tomatoes – These burst in the oven, adding bright sweetness and juiciness that balances the richness of the cheese.
- Fresh Spinach – This veggie adds color and freshness without overpowering the sauce. We add it at the end so it gently wilts instead of turning soggy.
- Olive Oil – A drizzle of olive oil helps the pasta cook evenly and brings a subtle peppery note that rounds out the sauce.
- Seasonings – Red pepper flakes, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper layer in savory flavor with just enough heat to keep things interesting.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoothly and adds a salty, nutty finish that deepens the overall flavor.
- Heavy Cream – This helps the pasta cook in the oven and creates a smooth sauce once everything is stirred together.
- Broth – Broth helps to thin the sauce slightly and adds an extra layer of savory flavor.
How to Make Boursin Cheese Pasta
- Combine the ingredients. Place the Boursin cheese in the center of a large baking dish, then arrange the uncooked pasta, garlic, and cherry tomatoes around it. Drizzle everything evenly with olive oil.
- Combine the seasonings. Mix the red pepper flakes, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the pasta and cheese.
- Bake. Pour the heavy cream and broth over the pasta. Gently toss to combine, then cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the tomatoes are soft.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Remove the foil and stir everything together, breaking up the softened Boursin cheese to form a sauce. Add the spinach and stir until just wilted, then sprinkle the Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake again. Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for another 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving on its own or with crusty bread and a salad (we love Mediterranean olive salad or Greek salad).
Stovetop note: If you prefer to make this delicious dish on the stovetop instead, it’s easy to do, too! Cook the pasta in well-salted water until al dente, reserving some pasta water before draining. In a wide skillet, sauté the garlic in olive oil, add the tomatoes and cook until softened, then melt the Boursin with broth or reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce. Toss in the pasta, seasonings, spinach, and Parmesan, adding more broth or pasta water as needed until everything is glossy and well-coated.
Variations
- Spicy – Add extra red pepper flakes or swirl in chili oil after baking for a slow, lingering heat that plays well with the creamy sauce.
- Lemony – Finish the dish with fresh lemon zest and a squeeze of juice to brighten up the richness.
- Protein-Packed – Stir in cooked chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage to turn this into an even heartier meal.
- Roasted Veggies – Add roasted zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers for even more flavor and extra texture.
- Herbs – For a fresh finish, fold in parsley or chives, along with the basil, right before serving.
Can I Store Leftovers?
Because this dish is cream-based, the sauce will thicken as it sits, which is totally normal and easy to fix when reheating.
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days, making this a solid option for meal prep. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
This baked Boursin pasta can be frozen for up to 2 months. For make-ahead meals, assemble and bake, cool completely, then freeze and reheat straight from the fridge or freezer.
Common Questions About Boursin Cheese Pasta
Yes, you can skip the tomatoes and replace them with roasted red peppers, mushrooms, or extra spinach for a different flavor profile. Just keep in mind that it will have a different flavor profile and may need adjustments to the sauce, depending on how much water is released by the vegetables that are swapped in.
Short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli works best because it holds onto the creamy sauce and bakes evenly. Orzo is another great option!
You can use gluten-free pasta, but it may be best to parboil it separately and finish the dish in the oven.
You can reduce the heavy cream slightly and add more broth to keep the sauce lighter while still creamy.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
If cozy dinners that are a breeze to whip up are what you’re looking for, these are for you!
One Pot Pasta Primavera Recipe
Boursin Cheese Pasta
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Ingredients
- 1 Boursin cheese block
- 1 pound uncooked pasta (penne, rigatoni, or shape of choice)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 2 cups broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to spice preference)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
- In a large baking dish, place the Boursin cheese block in the center.1 Boursin cheese block
- Add the uncooked pasta, minced garlic, halved cherry tomatoes (for best results), and broth to the baking dish with the Boursin cheese. Drizzle the olive oil on top.1 pound uncooked pasta, 4 cloves garlic, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cups broth
- In a separate bowl, combine the red pepper flakes, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, Salt and black pepper to taste
- Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the pasta and cheese.
- Pour the heavy cream and broth over the pasta mixture.½ cup heavy cream
- Gently toss everything in the baking dish to ensure that the pasta and ingredients are coated evenly with the cheese and cream.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the pasta is cooked and the cherry tomatoes are soft.
- Remove the foil and stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts and combines with the pasta.2 cups fresh spinach
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Serve immediately on its own or with sides of your choice!
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Great flavor, complemented the grilled chicken well.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it Melinda!
xo,
Alia & Radwa
I’m so sad my pasta came out super dry and I followed the recipe word for word. I’m sure I messed it up somehow. Also- is it possible to put two cheese Boursin cheeses in to make it creamier. I don’t know what I did wrong 😑
Hi Jennifer,
We’re sad that it didn’t turn out, too! It sounds like you followed the recipe closely, so we’re not sure what might have gone wrong. One thing that is super important is to make sure to keep the aluminum foil on so that it keeps the dish from drying out. But if you already did that, it may be helpful to check to make sure your oven is calibrated so the temperature is accurate.
You can add more Boursin to the dish! However, if you do, you’ll want to add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of liquid (water, stock, or cream).
Thanks for following us and we hope it turns out better next time!
xo,
Alia & Radwa
You mention sun dried tomatoes in the video but not in the recipe. How much sun dried tomato if we want to add those?
Hi Daryle,
Thanks for watching the video and visiting the page! That’s a great catch. We did adjust the recipe since we made the video but you easily still add the sun dried tomatoes in. We’d suggest using half of a small jar, but you can use more if you love sun dried tomatoes — this recipe is pretty easy to customize!
Hope that helps and let us know if you have any other questions!
xo,
Alia & Radwa
How many pounds of pasta should I use for 10 adults and what size pan?
Hi Karyn,
We would double the recipe to ensure everyone gets enough. We recommend using two large baking dishes (about 9×13).
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
One our favourite recipes. We replaced the cherry tomatoes with sundried and it’s incredible.
I have a family member who is celiac. Do you know if the recipe would turn out the same with gluten-free pasta? I want to try but I’m not sure if I will have to adjust the ingredients or cooking time to accommodate.
Hi Hillary,
We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe! We haven’t tested this recipe with gluten-free pasta and can’t guarantee your results. It might be more likely to turn out a little mushy.
We’d love to know how it goes if you do try it out!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
doesn’t say if use chicken or beef broth. Assume doesn’t really matter?
Right! Either will work.
We hope you enjoy!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
So the end result of this recipe turned out just fine but the way this recipe was written can really mess people up. In the spice blend section of the recipe, the spinach is randomly listed when it’s supposed to be later in the recipe.
Thank you for the feedback, Forrest! We updated the recipe card to fix that and are glad you enjoyed the recipe. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I don’t like “cooked” spinach. Could Kale be used instead and would it need to be cooked before adding?
Sure! No, just add it in as you would spinach. We hope you enjoy, Debby!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
And here is another recipe so easy and delicious! This pasta was so creamy 🙂 Thank you for this vegetarian version
Made this for dinner last night. So easy & delicious! My husband loved it too! Love all of your recipes, thanks for sharing them! 🥰
Can you add meat to this recipe?
How much cheese is used for this recipe? My pasta doesn’t look nearly as cheesy as yours!
We use a 5.3 oz block of boursin!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Hi! Your video on TikTok how’s you adding the heavy cream after baking, but your instructions above say to add it before. Can you clarify?
We updated the recipe! The written version is how we recommend making it. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
This recipe was a hit! My kids had seconds and fought over the leftovers. It will definitely be a repeat. Love easy meals that the family still loves!
I love your recipes but can you tell me how you stay so beautiful & slim. I’m piling the weight on eating your delicious recipes 😋
Thank you! Everything in moderation. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Another delicious recipe! I made a few alterations based on what I had on hand. I used a block of feta and penne pasta. I also added a lb of ground beef browned and seasoned with Italian seasoning and garlic salt to make it a more complete meal. After baking, I added and mixed in the spinach and heavy cream, as well as some sun dried tomatoes, and topped with some shredded mozzarella I had on hand and broiled for a few minutes. A few suggestions: use smaller sized pasta as some of my penne came out a little crunchy (depended on how saturated it was with the broth), add a little extra broth to make sure all your pasta is covered. Also, the directions here are a little confusing/different from the Facebook video – I would go by that as far as order of operations – it makes more sense. Will definitely make again and try some different variations!