Boursin Baked Ziti Recipe
This creamy and flavorful Boursin Baked Ziti combines tender ziti pasta with a rich blend of herbed Boursin cheese, ricotta, fresh herbs, and mozzarella, baked to bubbly perfection and finished with a golden broil for a delightful Italian-inspired baked pasta dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- Cooking spray
- Kosher salt
- 1 lb. ziti
Cheese Mixture
- 4 (5.2-oz.) blocks herbed Boursin cheese
- 1 (15-oz.) container ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, finely chopped, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup packed fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat it to 375°F. Grease the bottom and sides of a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook until al dente, about 2 to 3 minutes less than the package directions recommend. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot to keep warm.
- Make the Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the herbed Boursin cheese, ricotta, heavy cream, grated Parmesan, chopped basil, parsley, crushed red pepper flakes, and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella. Stir until everything is well-mixed. Taste and season with kosher salt if needed.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese Mixture: Stir half of the ricotta mixture into the cooked pasta until evenly combined. Then, gently dollop the remaining ricotta mixture over the pasta and stir just enough to distribute the dollops without fully blending them. Transfer this mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.
- Bake and Broil: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling. Remove the foil and switch the oven to broil. Broil the ziti carefully for 2 to 4 minutes until the cheese is golden brown. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle additional finely chopped fresh basil on top for a vibrant, fresh finish, and serve warm.
Notes
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta; cooking it slightly less than package instructions ensures it holds up well after baking.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor impact in this dish.
- Keep an eye on the dish during broiling as the cheese can go from golden to burnt quickly.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving for convenience.
Keywords: Baked ziti, Boursin cheese, Italian pasta casserole, creamy baked pasta, herbed cheese pasta
Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/boursin-baked-ziti-recipe/
