Description
This creamy tomato pasta recipe features roasted cherry tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and garlic baked with creamy Boursin cheese to create a luscious sauce. Tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and a hint of crushed chili flakes, it makes for a comforting and flavorful vegetarian dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 cups packed spinach, roughly chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups chopped mushrooms (sliced or chopped)
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings & Oils
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed chili flakes (optional)
Other Ingredients
- 2 wheels Boursin cheese
- 12 ounces pasta of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for roasting the vegetables and melting the cheese.
- Prepare Vegetables: In a large baking dish, combine the spinach, cherry tomatoes, chopped mushrooms, and minced garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss thoroughly using your hands to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Nestle the two Boursin cheese wheels into the vegetable mixture in the baking dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the tomatoes burst and soften and the cheese is heated through.
- Cook Pasta: While baking, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Create Creamy Sauce: When vegetables and cheese are done, use a fork to crush the melted cheese into the roasted veggies, stirring well to form a creamy sauce.
- Combine Sauce and Flavor: Stir in the reserved pasta water and crushed chili flakes (if using) into the sauce to loosen and blend flavors together.
- Toss Pasta and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat each piece. Serve immediately for the best experience and enjoy your creamy tomato pasta!
Notes
- You can substitute Boursin cheese with cream cheese mixed with herbs if unavailable.
- Adjust the amount of crushed chili flakes according to your heat preference or omit for mild flavor.
- Reserve pasta water helps to create a silky sauce that clings well to pasta.
- Use any pasta shape you prefer such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti.
- For a vegan version, use a plant-based cream cheese alternative and omit cheese baking step accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
