Creamy Rigatoni with Boursin Cheese Recipe

Introduction

This creamy rigatoni dish features rich Boursin cheese blended into a hearty tomato sauce with ground beef or Italian sausage. It’s an easy, comforting meal perfect for weeknights or casual dinners with family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 24 oz jar of spaghetti sauce or marinara
• 1 lb rigatoni pasta
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 5 oz package of Garlic and Herb Boursin cheese
• Fresh grated parmesan, for serving
• Dried or fresh parsley, for garnish
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage with the diced onion and minced garlic. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
2. Step 2: Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
3. Step 3: Add the spaghetti sauce, rigatoni pasta, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
4. Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
5. Step 5: Stir in the Boursin cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy.
6. Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
7. Step 7: Garnish with parsley and serve with freshly grated parmesan.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based sausage.
• Use fresh pasta for a quicker cooking time, but reduce the simmering accordingly.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a bit more chicken broth during cooking.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if it thickens.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any tubular pasta like penne or ziti works well in this recipe, but adjust the cooking time as needed.

Is Boursin cheese essential for the creamy texture?

Boursin adds a unique garlic and herb flavor along with creaminess, but you can substitute with cream cheese and a bit of garlic powder if needed.

Creamy Rigatoni with Boursin Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 70 reviews

This Creamy Rigatoni with Boursin Cheese is a comforting and flavorful one-pot pasta dish combining savory ground beef or Italian sausage, fragrant herbs, and rich garlic and herb Boursin cheese. The rigatoni cooks perfectly in a simmered tomato and chicken broth sauce, creating a creamy, cheesy finish that’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

• Author: Victoria
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Aromatics

• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings

• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Liquids and Sauce

• 24 oz jar of spaghetti sauce or marinara
• 4 cups chicken broth

Pasta and Cheese

• 1 lb rigatoni pasta
• 5 oz package of Garlic and Herb Boursin cheese
• Fresh grated parmesan, for serving
• Dried or fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Brown the meat and aromatics: In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage together with the diced onion and minced garlic until the meat is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease if necessary to avoid a greasy sauce.
2. Add seasonings: Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to evenly coat the meat and enhance the flavor base of the dish.
3. Add pasta, sauce, and broth: Pour in the spaghetti sauce, add the rigatoni pasta, and then pour the chicken broth. Stir everything thoroughly to combine all ingredients, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
4. Simmer to cook pasta: Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the rigatoni is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Incorporate Boursin cheese: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the Garlic and Herb Boursin cheese until it melts completely, creating a luscious, creamy sauce.
6. Season to taste: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
7. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with dried or fresh parsley for a fresh touch, and serve the rigatoni hot with freshly grated parmesan cheese on the side for topping.

Notes

• Using either ground beef or Italian sausage works well; sausage will add more depth and spice.
• Drain excess grease after browning the meat to prevent the sauce from being too oily.
• Keep an eye on the liquid level as the pasta cooks; add a splash of water or broth if it absorbs too quickly.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, but note the flavor will be different.
• Fresh parsley adds a bright finish, but dried parsley works well in a pinch.
• Leftovers reheat well and sometimes taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.

Keywords: creamy rigatoni, boursin cheese pasta, one-pot pasta, Italian sausage rigatoni, easy weeknight dinner, creamy pasta sauce