Description
A quick, indulgent weeknight dinner featuring garlic and fine herbs Boursin cheese, cherry tomatoes, and pasta in a rich, creamy sauce. Ready in just 15 minutes with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225g) short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or farfalle)
- 4–6 quarts water for boiling
- 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water
- 1 package (5.2 oz / 150g) Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese, at room temperature
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves fresh minced garlic)
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 pint (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- Reserved pasta water as needed
Instructions
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and set aside. Let the Boursin cheese sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to ensure it melts smoothly.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (8-10 minutes).
- Before draining, scoop out 1 cup of starchy pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and do not rinse.
- While pasta cooks, heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add halved cherry tomatoes and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften and blister.
- Reduce heat to low. Add heavy cream to the skillet and let it warm through for 30 seconds.
- Add the Boursin cheese (broken into chunks) to the skillet. Stir gently and constantly until the cheese is completely melted and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. If sticking, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss vigorously to coat every noodle. Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, if the sauce is too thick.
- Sprinkle with black pepper and taste for salt. Add fresh garlic now if using, stirring for 30 seconds.
- Serve immediately, topped with fresh parsley or extra cracked pepper if desired.
Notes
Do not skip the pasta water; the starch helps the sauce cling to the noodles. Keep the heat low when melting the cheese to prevent it from becoming grainy. If using fresh garlic, add it in the last 30 seconds to avoid burning. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 14
Keywords: Boursin pasta, creamy cheese pasta, quick weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe, garlic herb pasta, 15 minute meals, comfort food