This one pot pink sauce pasta with Boursin cheese is the perfect indulgent dish for those chilly evenings. The creamy pink sauce transforms boring, plain pasta into an irresistible dish with layers of rich flavors – sweet tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and a hint of garlic. The Boursin cheese adds a delicious combination of texture and creaminess that completes this comforting dish. This one pot pasta dish packs all the classic elements of a comfort meal – savory, cheesy, and filling – making it an ideal meal for those searching for something special to add to their dinner table.
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If you're the type of person who loves simple, homestyle recipes that come together with ease while still tasting delicious, then one pot pink sauce pasta with Boursin cheese is just the dish for you!
Combining classic Italian flavors with creamy Boursin cheese and fresh tomatoes, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
This easy weeknight entrée also comes together in no time, making it perfect for busy families! Try one-pot pink sauce pasta with Boursin cheese tonight for an indulgent dinner without all the fuss.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- What You’ll Need To Make Pink Sauce Pasta With Boursin Cheese
- Step-By-Step Instructions
- Tips & Tricks For Making The Best Pink Sauce Pasta With Boursin Cheese
- Serving Suggestions And Substitutions
- How To Store Leftovers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Tools And Equipment For This Recipe
- 📖 Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you want to prepare an elegant and delicious dinner that is sure to wow family and friends, then one-pot pink sauce pasta with Boursin cheese is the perfect recipe. Bursting with flavor from the creamy Boursin cheese, this dish takes a traditional Italian favorite and turns it into something truly extraordinary. I think you'll love it, and here are a few reasons why:
- Not only does it taste amazing but it’s also super easy to make, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
- You don’t need any fancy cooking equipment or advanced culinary skills - just one pot and your own creativity.
- It’s full of savory flavors, creamy textures, and sweetness from the tomato puree. This dish is sure to be a favorite with everyone who tries it!
What You’ll Need To Make Pink Sauce Pasta With Boursin Cheese
Pasta: Any short variety, such as penne or rigatoni, will work well for this recipe. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
Olive oil: A splash of olive oil will be used to sauté the garlic and onion. If you don't have olive oil, you can use avocado oil or any other neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point.
Garlic: This adds incredible flavor to the dish. I used a few cloves of crushed fresh garlic, but you can substitute garlic powder or minced garlic if that’s what you have on hand.
Shallot: I used a small shallot for this recipe, but you can also use a regular onion. Red, yellow, or white onion will work for this recipe.
Tomato puree: You will need two cups of tomato puree or passata for this recipe. You can use store-bought or homemade. I recommend that you use tomato puree or sauce here and avoid tomato paste as the flavor is too strong for this dish.
Boursin cheese: This creamy, garlicky cheese adds incredible depth of flavor to the dish. You can usually find it in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store or at Costco.
Dried basil: A teaspoon of dried basil will add a nice depth of flavor to this dish. If you don't have dried basil, you can substitute Italian seasoning or fresh basil (¼ cup, chopped).
Red chili flakes: This adds a nice bit of heat to the dish. Feel free to leave it out if you don't like spicy food.
Black pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper adds a nice bit of heat and flavor to this dish.
Parmesan cheese (optional): For a final touch of flavor and creaminess, I recommend adding some freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the end.
Fresh basil (optional): For a bit of freshness and color, you can add some freshly chopped basil leaves at the end.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Now that you have all the ingredients for this delicious one-pot pink sauce pasta with Boursin cheese, let's go through the steps to making it.
Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water then drain the pasta and set aside.
Step 2: Heat the olive oil in the same pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and shallot and sauté until they are fragrant (about 1-2 minutes).
Step 3: Add the tomato puree, dried basil, red chili flakes, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine then bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Crumble the Boursin cheese into the sauce and stir until it’s melted and well combined.
Step 5: Add the cooked pasta to the pot and stir to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
Step 6: Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Step 7: Serve warm, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped or torn fresh basil leaves (optional).
Tips & Tricks For Making The Best Pink Sauce Pasta With Boursin Cheese
This pink sauce pasta with Boursin cheese is a super simple one-pot meal that comes together in just 20 minutes. Here are some tips and tricks to make sure your pink sauce pasta turns out perfectly every time:
- Use a flavorful tomato puree or passata for the best flavor. Avoid tomato paste as it can be too intense.
- Don’t overcook the pasta – it should be al dente.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. Don't add any extra salt to this recipe without tasting the sauce as the Boursin cheese is fairly salty.
- Add a splash of reserved pasta water to thin out the sauce if necessary.
- For a really creamy sauce, stir in some heavy cream at the end or add some extra Boursin cheese.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of balsamic vinegar or white wine at the end.
Serving Suggestions And Substitutions
This pink sauce pasta with Boursin cheese is delicious served with a side of garlic bread or roasted vegetables. You can also add some cooked chicken, shrimp, or sausage to make it a complete meal - it would pair well with crumbled Italian sausage.
If you don't have Boursin cheese, you can substitute cream cheese or ricotta cheese. You can also swap out the pasta for a gluten-free option if needed.
If you don't have passata or tomato sauce you can use canned chopped tomatoes or crushed tomatoes instead. The sauce will take a bit longer to cook and be a bit chunkier but it will still be delicious!
Finally, you can also experiment with different herbs and spices to add more flavor – try adding oregano, paprika, or even some chopped fresh parsley or thyme.
If you're looking for some other great one pot pasta ideas to add some easy variety to your dinner menu, I also highly recommend one pot spicy sausage pasta, easy one pot pasta and peas, or one pot pasta with ricotta and lemon.
How To Store Leftovers
Leftover pink sauce pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen up the sauce if needed.
If you want to store this recipe for longer, it freezes quite well. Freeze the pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen leftovers, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use canned chopped tomatoes or crushed tomatoes instead of passata or tomato sauce. The sauce will take a bit longer to cook and be a bit chunkier but it will still be delicious!
Yes, you can definitely add some extra vegetables to the sauce. Try adding some chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the sauce before adding the cooked pasta.
Yes, you can substitute cream cheese or ricotta cheese if you don't have Boursin cheese. However, you will need to adjust the seasoning to taste as Boursin cheese tends to be saltier than cream cheese or ricotta cheese.
Pink sauce is a creamy, tomato-based pasta sauce. It typically includes some combination of cream, passata or tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, and herbs. It is a popular pasta sauce that can be used in many different recipes. In this recipe, I use Boursin cheese instead of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese to give the sauce a creamy, tangy flavor.
Tools And Equipment For This Recipe
Le Creuset Signature Deep Dutch Oven: This is my absolute favorite dutch oven and I use it all the time. Its large capacity makes it perfect for one-pot dishes like creamy tomato lentil pasta or ricotta and lemon pasta. It’s pricey but it is super versatile and will last you a lifetime.
Powder-Coated Colander Set: This is a great set of colanders that come in three different sizes. I use them for everything from washing vegetables to draining pasta.
Sweese Pasta Bowls: These are my go-to pasta bowls. They are a great size for single servings, and they have a wide, shallow shape that’s perfect for catching any extra sauce. Plus, they’re dishwasher and microwave safe too.
📖 Recipe
One-Pot Pink Sauce Pasta With Boursin Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium shallot finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 cups tomato sauce or passata
- 1 package Boursin cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water then drain the pasta and set aside.1 pound rigatoni pasta
- Heat the olive oil in the same pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and shallot and sauté until they are fragrant (about 1-2 minutes).2 tablespoon olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1 medium shallot
- Add the tomato puree, dried basil, red chili flakes, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine then bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.2 cups tomato sauce or passata, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon red chili flakes, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Crumble the Boursin cheese into the sauce and stir until it’s melted and well combined.1 package Boursin cheese
- Add the cooked pasta to the pot and stir to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve warm, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped or torn fresh basil leaves (optional).
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content may vary based on brands of ingredients used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Maggie says
Very easy to make and was delish! Will definitely make it again.