What is a Substitute for Boursin Cheese in Pasta?

Introduction

Boursin cheese is known for its creamy texture and flavorful combination of garlic and herbs, making it a popular choice for pasta dishes, dips, and spreads. However, this gourmet cheese may not always be available, or perhaps you’re seeking a more affordable or dietary-friendly alternative. Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just out of Boursin cheese in the kitchen, there are several alternatives that can maintain the rich flavor and smooth texture you’re looking for in your pasta dishes.

In this article, we’ll explore a variety of substitutes for Boursin cheese, each of which can serve as a suitable replacement depending on your preferences and dietary needs. We’ll also offer recipes, insights into which pasta types best match each substitute, and FAQs to address common questions about swapping out Boursin cheese. Additionally, we’ll highlight some internal linking opportunities to help readers discover even more recipes and information.

For those looking for creative pasta recipes featuring Boursin cheese, you can explore this easy Boursin Cheese Pasta Recipe.

What is Boursin Cheese?

Boursin cheese is a soft, creamy cheese originally from Normandy, France. The cheese is typically flavored with a mixture of garlic, herbs, and spices, giving it a rich and distinctive taste. It’s not just the flavor that makes it stand out, but also the smooth, spreadable texture that works perfectly in pasta dishes, as a dip, or spread on crackers.

However, due to its unique flavor profile and the fact that it is sometimes unavailable or relatively expensive compared to other cheeses, finding an alternative for Boursin cheese is necessary. Whether you’re cooking for a dinner party, experimenting with new pasta dishes, or simply trying to accommodate dietary restrictions, knowing what you can substitute for Boursin cheese can be a game changer in the kitchen.

If you’re curious about how well Boursin cheese melts in your cooking, you can explore that topic in more detail here.

Why Substitute Boursin Cheese?

There are several reasons why you might need to substitute Boursin cheese:

• Availability: Not all grocery stores carry Boursin cheese, which can be a hindrance if you’re planning a recipe that requires it.
• Cost: Being a gourmet cheese, Boursin is often more expensive than more common cheeses like cream cheese or goat cheese.
• Dietary Restrictions: If you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, or avoiding certain ingredients, you may need an alternative to this dairy-rich cheese.

By finding the right substitute, you can still enjoy the creamy, garlic-infused taste that Boursin brings to your pasta dishes. For example, you might want to learn more about whether Boursin cheese and cream cheese are interchangeable. You can explore this topic further here.

Top 6 Substitutes for Boursin Cheese in Pasta

If you need a quick alternative to Boursin cheese, here are six of the best substitutes that work well in pasta recipes. These substitutes are easy to find and offer varying degrees of creaminess and flavor to complement your pasta dishes.

1. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is one of the simplest and most accessible substitutes for Boursin cheese. Its smooth texture and mild flavor make it an ideal replacement, especially when you blend it with garlic and herbs. If you’re preparing a creamy pasta dish, cream cheese can provide that rich, creamy base you’re looking for.

How to Use It:

• Simply blend softened cream cheese with minced garlic, parsley, chives, and dill to recreate the herb-infused flavor of Boursin.
• Use in a 1:1 ratio to replace Boursin cheese in recipes.

Cream cheese is particularly effective in dishes where you want a mild, creamy texture that doesn’t overpower other flavors.

2. Goat Cheese

For a slightly tangier flavor, goat cheese is a great alternative. It has a firmer texture compared to Boursin, but you can easily soften it by mixing in a little bit of cream or olive oil. Goat cheese provides a strong, tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with certain pasta dishes, especially those with rich tomato-based sauces or vegetables like spinach or mushrooms.

How to Use It:

• To replace Boursin cheese, soften the goat cheese with a small amount of cream or pasta water.
• Use a 1:1 substitution in recipes, though be prepared for a slightly tangier outcome.

3. Laughing Cow Cheese

If you’re looking for a milder alternative to Boursin cheese, Laughing Cow cheese is an excellent option. This soft, spreadable cheese is often used as a snack or spread but works equally well in pasta recipes. Its smooth consistency allows it to blend easily into sauces, and it carries a delicate flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients.

How to Use It:

• Simply replace Boursin cheese with Laughing Cow cheese in a 1:1 ratio.
• It’s best used in lighter pasta dishes, such as those with a white wine or cream base.

4. Ricotta and Cottage Cheese Mix

A combination of ricotta and cottage cheese can also serve as a substitute for Boursin cheese, especially if you’re aiming for a similar texture. While these cheeses don’t carry the same strong flavor as Boursin, you can enhance their taste by adding garlic powder, dried herbs, and a bit of salt to mimic Boursin’s signature garlic and herb profile.

How to Use It:

• Mix equal parts ricotta and cottage cheese, then season with garlic, herbs, and a pinch of salt.
• This substitute works especially well in baked pasta dishes like lasagna or stuffed shells.

5. Cashew Cheese

For a dairy-free alternative, cashew cheese is an excellent choice. By blending soaked cashews with nutritional yeast, garlic, and herbs, you can create a creamy, flavorful cheese substitute that mimics the texture and taste of Boursin cheese without any dairy. Cashew cheese is a great option for vegans or those with lactose intolerance.

How to Use It:

• To make cashew cheese, blend soaked cashews with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh or dried herbs.
• Use in the same amount as Boursin in recipes, adjusting seasonings to taste.

If you’re interested in trying a homemade cashew cheese recipe, you can find one here.

6. Herbed Butter and Garlic

A simple and quick substitute for Boursin cheese can be made using herbed butter and garlic. By blending soft butter with fresh or dried herbs and minced garlic, you can create a spreadable mixture that adds richness and flavor to your pasta dishes. While it may not have the same creamy texture as Boursin, it works well in dishes that call for a lighter sauce.

How to Use It:

• Mix softened butter with garlic, parsley, chives, and dill.
• Add to pasta in place of Boursin cheese, using slightly less butter to avoid an overly oily dish.

For a step-by-step guide on making herbed butter, you can check out this recipe here.

How to Make a DIY Boursin Cheese Substitute

If you’re unable to find Boursin cheese or don’t have any of the substitutes mentioned above, you can easily create a DIY version at home. Here’s a simple recipe to make your own Boursin cheese substitute using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of cream cheese
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon of dried chives
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried dill
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and minced garlic.
2. Add the dried herbs, salt, and pepper, stirring until the mixture is well combined.
3. Let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
4. Use this DIY Boursin substitute in your favorite pasta dishes, dips, or as a spread.

This homemade version closely mimics the creamy texture and herby flavor of Boursin cheese, making it an ideal substitute for pasta dishes.

Recipes Using Boursin Cheese Substitutes

Here are a couple of recipes that make use of the various Boursin cheese substitutes, so you can see how these alternatives perform in popular pasta dishes.

Creamy Garlic Pasta with Cream Cheese Substitute

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine or spaghetti works best)
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
4. Lower the heat and add the cream cheese, stirring until it melts and combines with the garlic.
5. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve a small amount of pasta water before draining.
6. Toss the cooked pasta in the skillet with the garlic and cream cheese mixture, adding a little pasta water to create a silky sauce.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

Vegan Boursin-Style Pasta with Cashew Cheese

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces pasta (penne or rotini work well)
• 1/2 cup cashew cheese
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (optional, for added flavor)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
2. In a separate pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
3. Reduce the heat and stir in the cashew cheese along with a splash of the reserved pasta water to help create a creamy sauce.
4. Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, mixing until well coated.
5. Add nutritional yeast for an extra cheesy flavor, if desired.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

These recipes highlight just how versatile these Boursin cheese substitutes can be, allowing you to create delicious, creamy pasta dishes without the need for the original cheese.

Pairing Boursin Cheese Substitutes with Pasta Types

Selecting the right pasta shape is important when working with Boursin cheese substitutes, as different shapes can affect how well the sauce adheres to the pasta and how the flavors are distributed throughout the dish. Here are some pairing suggestions:

• Cream Cheese: Best paired with long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine, as the creamy sauce clings to the strands and provides a consistent flavor with every bite.
• Goat Cheese: Works well with tubular pasta such as penne or rigatoni, where the tangy cheese can fill the ridges and hollows for a burst of flavor.
• Laughing Cow Cheese: This mild cheese pairs nicely with short pasta like farfalle or fusilli, where the light sauce can coat each piece without overwhelming the dish.
• Ricotta and Cottage Cheese Mix: Ideal for stuffed pasta dishes like ravioli or cannelloni, where the cheese mixture can serve as a creamy filling.
• Cashew Cheese: Pairs well with pasta shapes like fusilli or rotini, where the twists and turns of the pasta can hold onto the dairy-free sauce.
• Herbed Butter and Garlic: Best suited for lighter pasta dishes with shapes like linguine or angel hair, where the butter and herb mixture can evenly coat the pasta without becoming too heavy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best non-dairy substitute for Boursin cheese?

• The best non-dairy substitute for Boursin cheese is cashew cheese. It provides a creamy texture and can be flavored with garlic and herbs to closely mimic the taste of Boursin.

Can I use regular butter as a Boursin cheese substitute?

• Yes, you can use a mixture of herbed butter and garlic as a quick and easy substitute for Boursin cheese. This combination works particularly well in pasta dishes where a lighter, more buttery sauce is desired.

Does using a substitute affect the final flavor of the dish?

• While the flavor may vary slightly depending on the substitute you use, the overall creaminess and richness should remain intact. Each substitute brings its unique twist to the dish, allowing you to enjoy a delicious pasta experience with the same comforting qualities that Boursin cheese provides.

Can I freeze dishes made with Boursin cheese substitutes?

• Most pasta dishes made with Boursin cheese substitutes can be frozen, though it’s important to note that some substitutes like cream cheese may slightly alter in texture when thawed. For best results, freeze the dish in an airtight container and reheat slowly to preserve the creaminess.

Conclusion

Substituting Boursin cheese in pasta dishes is easy and versatile, with plenty of alternatives available to suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a dairy-free option like cashew cheese, a tangy replacement like goat cheese, or a quick fix with herbed butter, there’s a substitute out there that will help you maintain the creamy, flavorful qualities that Boursin brings to the table.

Experimenting with these substitutes allows you to tailor your pasta dishes to your preferences, whether you’re accommodating dietary restrictions, seeking a more affordable option, or just wanting to try something new. No matter which substitute you choose, you can be confident that your pasta dishes will remain delicious and satisfying.

If you’re inspired to try out more pasta recipes, don’t forget to check out this easy Boursin cheese pasta recipe and other creative ways to incorporate these substitutes into your meals.