– Advertisement –
Creamy, dreamy pasta dishes are a favorite for many, and what could be better than combining a rich, herbed cheese with tender pasta and fresh broccoli? The Easy Boursin Cheese Pasta with Broccoli is an incredibly satisfying dish that brings together the smooth, flavorful richness of Boursin cheese and the crunch of perfectly cooked broccoli.
– Advertisement –
Boursin cheese, a soft and creamy French cheese flavored with garlic and herbs, is perfect for creating a luscious sauce that coats pasta beautifully. When combined with fresh broccoli, the result is a dish that’s both indulgent and nutritious, making it a go-to comfort food.
– Advertisement –
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
-
Boil the pasta:
-
Begin by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water—this helps flavor the pasta as it cooks.
– Advertisement –
-
Once the water is boiling, add the 12 ounces of pasta. Cook according to the package directions, usually about 9-11 minutes for al dente pasta.
-
While the pasta cooks, reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining it. The starchy pasta water will help adjust the consistency of the sauce later on.
-
-
Drain the pasta:
-
Drain the cooked pasta in a colander, but don’t rinse it. You want the starchy pasta water to cling to the pasta, which will help the sauce adhere better.
-
Step 2: Prepare the Broccoli
-
Roast the broccoli:
-
While the pasta is cooking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the broccoli florets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
-
Drizzle the broccoli with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss the broccoli to coat evenly.
-
Roast the broccoli for about 12-15 minutes, or until it’s tender with some crispy edges. The roasting process brings out the natural sweetness of the broccoli and adds a lovely texture to the dish.
-
-
Alternative steaming option:
-
If you prefer not to roast the broccoli, you can steam it instead. To do so, place the broccoli in a steamer basket over boiling water for 4-5 minutes, or until it’s bright green and tender but still crisp. This method keeps the broccoli more tender and moist.
-
Step 3: Make the Boursin Cheese Sauce
-
Sauté the garlic:
-
In a large skillet or saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat.
-
Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
-
-
Add the Boursin cheese:
-
Add the Boursin cheese to the skillet and stir to combine with the garlic and butter. The cheese will begin to melt and become creamy.
-
Once the Boursin is mostly melted, pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir everything together, creating a smooth and creamy sauce.
-
Optional: If you want to lighten the sauce, you can replace some of the heavy cream with half-and-half or even milk. However, the heavy cream creates the richest, creamiest sauce.
-
-
Add the Parmesan cheese:
-
Stir in the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. This adds a savory depth to the sauce, making it even more flavorful.
-
Season the sauce with freshly ground black pepper to taste, and if you like a bit of heat, sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. This step is optional but adds a nice kick to the creamy sauce.
-
-
Adjust the consistency:
-
As the sauce simmers, it might become a little too thick. To adjust the consistency, gradually add the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, stirring until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.
-
The pasta water helps the sauce adhere better to the pasta, creating a silky, smooth coating.
-
-
Simmer the sauce:
-
Let the sauce simmer gently for about 2-3 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is well combined and slightly thickened.
-
Step 4: Combine Pasta, Broccoli, and Sauce
-
Add the cooked pasta:
-
Add the roasted broccoli:
-
Once the pasta is well-coated in sauce, add the roasted broccoli (or steamed broccoli if you chose that method). Gently fold the broccoli into the pasta mixture.
-
Make sure the broccoli is evenly distributed throughout the pasta so every bite is packed with flavor and texture.
-
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
-
Plate the pasta:
-
Divide the pasta into bowls or plates. The creamy Boursin cheese sauce will cling to the pasta and broccoli, creating a rich, comforting dish.
-
-
Garnish:
-
Sprinkle the pasta with freshly chopped parsley to add a touch of color and freshness. This will also brighten up the rich, creamy dish.
-
If you like extra cheese, sprinkle some more grated Parmesan on top before serving.
-
-
Serve:
Tips for Perfecting Your Boursin Cheese Pasta with Broccoli
-
Use fresh Boursin cheese: Boursin cheese is a soft, spreadable cheese, and fresh cheese will yield the best results. If you have trouble finding Boursin, you can substitute it with a similar herbed cheese, such as garlic and herb cream cheese, but Boursin has a distinctive, smooth texture that adds depth to the sauce.
-
Don’t overcook the broccoli: Whether you’re roasting or steaming the broccoli, aim for it to be tender but still crisp. Overcooking the broccoli can make it mushy, and we want it to retain some texture and crunch in the final dish.
-
Customize with extra vegetables: If you want to add more veggies to the dish, consider adding spinach, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes. You can sauté them with the garlic or toss them into the pasta along with the broccoli.
-
Use the right pasta: This recipe is versatile and can be made with any pasta, but thicker pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine will hold the sauce better and create a more substantial dish. Spaghetti or linguine work well, too, if you prefer a lighter pasta.
-
Make it lighter: If you want a lighter version of this dish, you can substitute light cream cheese for Boursin or use low-fat yogurt. However, the richness of Boursin cheese is part of what makes this dish so indulgent, so keep that in mind when making adjustments.
Conclusion
This Easy Boursin Cheese Pasta with Broccoli is the perfect combination of creamy, cheesy goodness and healthy greens. It’s a comforting dish that feels indulgent without being overly heavy. The richness of the Boursin cheese sauce pairs perfectly with the fresh, tender broccoli and the hearty pasta.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, fusilli, or any pasta you like)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 8 oz (226g) Boursin cheese (garlic and herb flavor)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 9–11 minutes. In the last 3–4 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water with the pasta. Drain both the pasta and broccoli together, reserving about 1 cup of pasta cooking water. - Make the sauce:
While the pasta and broccoli are cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1–2 minutes, until fragrant. - Add Boursin cheese and cream:
Reduce the heat to low and add the Boursin cheese to the skillet, stirring it until it melts into a smooth sauce. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the sauce is creamy and well-combined. If the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. - Toss the pasta and broccoli:
Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet and toss to coat everything in the creamy sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). - Serve:
Once everything is mixed and heated through, serve the pasta hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
– Advertisement –