Rich, creamy, and utterly comforting, this French Onion Boursin Pasta blends sweet, oven‑caramelized onions with melting Boursin cheese to create a silky, flavorful sauce for pasta. It’s an easy, restaurant‑style meal that feels special but comes together with just a few pantry staples.
Why you’ll love this pasta recipe
This baked French Onion Boursin Pasta takes two viral ideas—the oven‑caramelized onion method and baked Boursin pasta—and combines them into a single, delicious dish. The caramelized onions bring deep, sweet onion flavor while the garlic‑and‑herb Boursin melts into a creamy sauce that coats every bite of pasta.
After testing this recipe, the results are consistent: perfectly caramelized onions, a smooth, creamy sauce, and balanced seasoning. The recipe uses a small list of ingredients and minimal hands‑on time—about 15 minutes—so it’s ideal for weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner. With its comforting flavor profile and simple technique, this is an easy recipe to add to your regular rotation.
Ingredients
Below are the main ingredients for Baked French Onion Boursin Pasta, with brief notes and substitution ideas. Exact quantities appear in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Onions – Use about two pounds of onions. Yellow onions are a great all‑purpose choice; Vidalia or another sweet onion will yield a milder, sweeter caramelization.
- Head of garlic – Whole cloves roast with the onions to mellow and sweeten the garlic flavor.
- Olive oil – For coating the onions and garlic before roasting.
- Salt and black pepper – Essential for seasoning as the flavors concentrate while roasting.
- Boursin cheese – The garlic & fine herbs variety works especially well, adding creamy texture and herb flavor. Two packages (about 10.6 ounces total) deliver a rich sauce.
- Penne pasta – Any short pasta such as shells, rotini, cavatappi, or macaroni can be used if you prefer a different shape.
Instructions
These clear steps produce tender, caramelized onions and a luscious pasta sauce. For a quick reference, the full ingredient measurements and a printable recipe card appear below.
- Caramelize the onions in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Thinly slice about two pounds of onions and place them in a 9 x 13‑inch baking dish. Add the peeled garlic cloves, drizzle with 1/4 cup olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat. Cover tightly with foil and roast for 45 minutes.
- Add the cheese and finish baking. Remove the foil, nestle two rounds of Boursin cheese into the center of the onions and garlic, and return the dish to the oven uncovered for an additional 30 minutes. The cheese will soften and blend with the caramelized onions.
- Cook the pasta. While the cheese bakes, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook one pound of penne according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Toss everything together. When the onions and cheese are done, stir them together in the baking dish until the cheese is incorporated. Add the drained pasta and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water, tossing to create a smooth sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to reach your preferred consistency. Season with black pepper and serve immediately.
Optional additions
This base recipe is delicious on its own, but you can customize it with a few optional ingredients to add depth, texture, or protein.
- Worcestershire sauce – A tablespoon can add a subtle umami boost, though the caramelized onions and Boursin already provide strong savory flavor.
- Mushrooms – For more umami and vegetables, stir in 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms after the initial 45‑minute roast; toss with the onions before adding the Boursin and finish baking.
- Chicken – To add protein, stir in about 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken when you toss the pasta with the onion and cheese mixture.
What to serve with it
Serve this creamy Boursin pasta with crusty garlic bread and a crisp green salad for a complete, satisfying meal. A simple Italian salad or garlic knots pair particularly well to balance the richness of the dish.
Garlic Bread
Italian Salad
Garlic Knots
Blue Cheese Salad
Baked French Onion Boursin Pasta
Summary: Oven‑caramelized onions and creamy Boursin cheese combine with penne to create an easy, comforting baked pasta perfect for weeknights or a cozy dinner.
Servings: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Author: Whitney Bond
Ingredients
- 2 pounds onions, thinly sliced
- 1 head garlic, cloves peeled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (plus more to taste)
- 10.6 ounces garlic herb Boursin cheese (two 5.3‑ounce packages)
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place sliced onions and peeled garlic cloves in a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat.
- Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes. Remove foil, nestle Boursin in the center of the onions, and bake uncovered for 30 more minutes.
- While baking, cook penne in salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Stir the baked onions and softened cheese together, then add the drained pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Stir and add more pasta water until sauce reaches desired consistency. Season with black pepper and serve immediately.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water or broth to restore creaminess.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 636 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 74 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Fat: 31 g (Saturated fat: 15 g)
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fiber: 5 g