The BEST Lemon Boursin Pasta (One Pan) - Myriad Recipes (2024)

This is by far the best Lemon Boursin Pasta recipe. It's full of flavour, simple to make, and made all in one pan. It takes less than 20 minutes to make and is the perfect recipe for a weeknight dinner.

It's creamy, silky, and honestly one of my favourite pastas of all time. You've got the gorgeous garlicky flavour from the Boursin, and then the light fresh zesty flavour from the lemon. It's an absolute go-to of mine, and I love to make it for when I have friends coming round as a quick and easy meal.

More great pasta dishes I love to make for friends and family are my Pink Barbie Pasta, Roasted Feta Tomato Pasta, and Ziti Bake with Ground Turkey, they're all so creamy and really delicious.

This Lemon Boursin Pasta only uses a handful of ingredients that you'll most likely have in your pantry, so it's a great one to make when you just need a simple and quick dinner. All you need is lemon, Boursin, some type of fun pasta, stock, garlic, shallots, chilli flakes, parsley, and parmesan!

If you like low-maintenance pasta dishes, then you'll want to try out my Zhoug-Inspired Rigatoni, Baked Mozzarella Pasta, Marry Me Chicken Tortellini, Asparagus Orzotto, and my .

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick Preparation: This recipe is perfect for busy days because it's quick to make. From start to finish, it takes minimal time and effort, making it an ideal choice for a delicious and satisfying meal, even on hectic weekdays. Even less effort, my Cilantro Pasta is such a quick and easy meal, if you're looking for any more fuss-free recipes.

One-Pan: I appreciate the convenience of a one-pan dish. The simplicity of cooking everything in a single pan not only reduces the clean-up time but also allows all the flavours to meld together beautifully, creating a harmonious and well-balanced pasta dish. If you're looking for more one pan recipes, then why not check out my baked chicken with cream of chicken soup, or my really simple Sardines and Eggs recipe, inspired by Tunisian Shakshouka that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Full of Flavour: Despite its simplicity, this pasta dish bursts with flavour. The zesty lemon, creamy Boursin cheese, aromatic garlic, and the subtle heat from chili flakes create a symphony of tastes. Each bite is a delightful combination of textures and flavours, making it one of my favourite pasta dishes ever.

It's a very simple pasta dish with no extra veggies or protein, so if you're looking for a more veggie or meat-packed pasta recipe, you should take a look at my Pork Belly Pasta or my Honey Harissa Chicken and Chickpea Pasta.

Ingredients You'll Need

Lemon, Zested and Juiced: Lemon zest adds a burst of citrusy aroma, enhancing the pasta's freshness, while lemon juice provides a tangy flavour that cuts through the richness of the Boursin cheese, creating a well-balanced dish. I'd highly recommend using fresh lemon here instead of store-bought, because you really want to add in that lemon zest for a richer, deeper lemon flavour.

Boursin: Boursin, a creamy, herbed cheese, forms the base of the sauce. Its rich, indulgent texture adds a velvety smoothness to the pasta. The blend of herbs in Boursin complements the lemon, creating a flavourful and satisfying sauce.

Fun Pasta (200g): The reason I say fun pasta, is because there are so many pasta shapes out there, and with such a simple pasta dish, it's always fun to jazz up the pasta shape. Here I've used rigatoni, but feel free to use Gigli (a small twirly pasta), Casarecce (a double tube pasta), or Mafalda Corta (similar to parpadelle but with frilly edges).

Stock (500ml or until it covers the pasta): Stock serves as the cooking liquid for the pasta, infusing it with a savoury depth of flavour. The pasta absorbs the vegetable stock as it cooks, enriching its taste and contributing to a well-seasoned dish. Don't just add water, because you'll lose so much flavour.

Garlic (3 cloves) and Shallots (2): Garlic and shallots, when sautéed, provide a robust aromatic base for the sauce. They add complexity and depth, enhancing the overall flavour profile of the dish. If you're a garlic fan, then you'll love my Garlic Confit Orzo!

Chilli Flakes (½ tbsp): Chilli flakes introduce a subtle heat, elevating the pasta's taste. The gentle spiciness contrasts beautifully with the creamy Boursin, enhancing the overall flavour of this lemon Boursin pasta recipe. Feel free to omit the chilli flakes if you're not a spice fan!

Parsley (5g): Fresh parsley adds a pop of colour and a refreshing herbal note to the dish. It serves as a garnish, enhancing the visual appeal, and contributes a hint of freshness to balance the richness of the cheese. Feel free to also use fresh basil if you're not a fan of parsley.

Parmesan (2 tbsp): Grated Parmesan provides a salty, nutty flavour, intensifying the overall taste of the pasta. It acts as a finishing touch, enhancing the umami profile and adding a satisfying depth to the dish. You could also use grated pecorino cheese too.

Ingredient Substitutions

Boursin: If you don't have Boursin cheese, you can use other creamy cheeses like cream cheese mixed with minced garlic and herbs. Alternatively, try goat cheese for a tangy twist.

Fun Pasta: Choose any type of pasta you prefer or have on hand. Spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, or penne would work well. If you don't want to use pasta, you could use arborio rice and turn it into more of a risotto. This will take longer and require a bit more stock, but it would turn out delicious!

Garlic and Shallots: Feel free to use garlic powder for this recipe, and white or red onions if you don't have shallots.

Chilli Flakes: Substitute chilli flakes with a pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika. Adjust the quantity to control the level of spiciness in your dish. If you're a fan of spicy comfort dishes, then I think you wanna save my 15 Minute Spicy Beef Noodle Soup for a rainy day.

Parsley: Fresh parsley can be replaced with fresh basil or cilantro (coriander) for a different flavour profile. Alternatively, use dried parsley, but reduce the quantity by half, as dried herbs are more potent than fresh.

Parmesan: Feel free to use grated pecorino cheese if you don't have parmesan. If you're looking for something a bit different, cheddar cheese or mozzarella could work too.

Lemon Boursin Pasta Recipe Variations

Vegan Lemon Boursin Pasta: This vegan version of Lemon Boursin Pasta swaps the traditional Boursin cheese with a creamy, dairy-free alternative. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavour, and the sauce is infused with lemon zest and juice. Make sure to add in extra garlic and a mixture of dried herbs to emulate that Boursin flavour. Tossed with your favourite pasta, this dish offers a lusciously creamy texture and a burst of citrusy freshness, perfect for plant-based food enthusiasts.

Gluten-Free Lemon Boursin Pasta: This variation ensures the delightful Lemon Boursin Pasta experience without gluten. Choose a gluten-free pasta (brown rice pasta, chickpea pasta) of your choice and then pair it with all the other ingredients.

Vegetable and Sun-Dried Tomato Lemon Boursin Pasta: Elevate your Lemon Boursin Pasta with a medley of vibrant vegetables and the intense flavours of sun-dried tomatoes. Sautéed bell peppers, zucchini (courgette), and cherry tomatoes provide a colourful contrast, while chopped sun-dried tomatoes add a deep, sweet-tart richness. The Lemon Boursin sauce ties everything together, resulting in a pasta dish brimming with gorgeous textures a great taste. Perfect for those who crave a veggie-packed pasta experience with a touch of Mediterranean flair. If you're looking to add a bit of protein, why not add my Greek Yogurt Chicken in Air Fryer recipe!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Fry your garlic, shallots, and chilli flakes in oil for 5 minutes until soft.

Step 2: Add your Boursin into the centre of your pan, surround the Boursin with your pasta of choice, then pour in your vegetable stock and top with the lemon zest. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to simmer, stirring frequently to avoid the pasta sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: After 8-10 minutes, your pasta and sauce should be well-combined and nearly cooked. Add in your grated parmesan, a big pinch of flaky salt, a grind of black pepper, and give everything a good mix. Taste and season according to your preferences.

Step 4: Once your pasta is cooked to how you like it, sprinkle with your grated parmesan and parsley, and squeeze in the juice of your lemon. Give everything a mix and serve up!

What To Do With Leftovers

Storage: Store any leftover Lemon Boursin Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure the container is sealed well to preserve the freshness of the dish.

Freezing: While pasta dishes with creamy sauces can be a bit tricky to freeze due to texture changes upon defrosting, you can freeze Lemon Boursin Pasta successfully with a few tips. Portion the leftovers into individual airtight freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Try to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 1-2 months. When reheating, there might be a slight change in texture, but the flavours will still be delicious.

Reheating:

1. From the Refrigerator: Reheat the refrigerated pasta in a pan on low heat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a splash of broth, water, or milk to help recreate the creamy consistency, stirring gently until heated through. Avoid high heat to prevent curdling.
2. From the Freezer: Thaw frozen Lemon Boursin Pasta in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a bit of liquid (broth, water, or milk) to restore creaminess. Stir continuously over low heat until heated thoroughly.

FAQs For Lemon Boursin Pasta

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