Creamy Sausage Pasta Bake: A Hands-Off One-Pan Dinner Using Boursin Cheese

# What this recipe is

# Why it works for weeknights

You don't boil the pasta or brown the sausage. Everything goes straight into a 13 x 9 x 2-inch casserole dish, covered tightly with foil to trap steam so the pasta cooks through. The Boursin melts into the liquid base and creates the creamy sauce without a long list of added seasonings.

# Key ingredients to use or swap

• Sausage: the recipe uses a 14-ounce package of sliced smoked sausage (Polish kielbasa). Choose mild or spicy based on preference.
• Vegetables: 2 cups broccoli florets and 1 cup grape tomatoes. The author sometimes substitutes zucchini and peppers.
• Dairy and liquid: 2½ cups chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream.
• Flavoring: ½ teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, plus a 5.3-ounce package of Boursin garlic & fine herbs cheese placed in the center of the dish.

# Step-by-step at a glance

• Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.

• Place the Boursin package in the center, cover tightly with foil, and bake 30 minutes.
• Remove foil, stir to incorporate the melted cheese, then bake uncovered about 10 minutes until pasta is tender.

• Seal the foil tightly to trap steam so the uncooked pasta softens properly.
• Use a 9 x 13 x 2-inch dish so the pasta cooks evenly.
• A wooden spoon makes mixing easier after the initial bake.
• If you don't have Boursin, a block of feta is suggested as a substitute in a pinch, though the author prefers Boursin for its garlic-and-herb profile.

# Storage and reheating

• Refrigerate cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave. Add a splash of milk before reheating to loosen the sauce and restore creaminess.

# Nutrition and timing

The recipe lists estimated nutrition (example: ~553 kcal per serving) and timing: Prep 5 minutes, Cook 45 minutes, Total 50 minutes. The recipe yields about four servings.

# Variations to consider

• Swap pasta shapes (bowtie, rotini) or use different vegetables (zucchini, peppers).
• Change the sausage type to adjust heat and flavor.
• For a one-pan alternative approach, the author points to other easy baked pasta or one-pan recipes on the same site.

# Who this is for

Home cooks who want a low-effort, one-dish dinner with minimal prep and clean-up, and who like creamy, garlicky herb flavors provided by Boursin cheese.