Ingredients
- 8 oz (225g) pasta of choice (linguine, fettuccine, or penne work beautifully)
- 1 package (5.2 oz/150g) Boursin garlic and herb cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or chives for garnish
Ingredient Notes:
- Boursin cheese: The original garlic and herb variety works best, but the black pepper or shallot and chive flavors offer delicious variations.
- Pasta selection: Choose shapes that capture the creamy sauce well—linguine, fettuccine, bucatini, or rigatoni are excellent choices.
- Fresh garlic: While the cheese already contains garlic flavor, fresh minced garlic adds depth and brightness.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Important: Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water this is crucial for creating the perfect silky sauce.
Step 2: Create the Flavor Base
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Be vigilant during this step as garlic can burn quickly.
Step 3: Form the Creamy Sauce
Reduce heat to low and add the entire package of Boursin cheese to the skillet, breaking it into chunks. Slowly add about ½ cup of the reserved pasta water while stirring constantly. Watch as the cheese transforms into a smooth, velvety sauce. Add more pasta water as needed until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Using tongs, gently toss the pasta until every strand is evenly coated with the creamy boursin pasta sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more pasta water.
Step 5: Finish and Garnish
Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toss once more to incorporate. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Transfer to serving plates and garnish with your choice of fresh herbs for a pop of color and flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes, which is 50% less prep than most creamy pasta recipes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes, with most of that being passive cooking while the pasta boils
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: Americans
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 420 kcal
- Sodium: 450mg (varies based on pasta water salting)
- Fat: 20g (primarily from the cheese)
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
Keywords: Creamy Boursin Cheese Pasta Recipe