Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Cook the Pasta (Simultaneously)

• Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven is hot and ready to bake the pasta evenly and create that beautiful golden-brown topping.
• Cook Pasta: While the oven preheats, get your pasta cooking. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. “Al dente” means “to the tooth” in Italian – the pasta should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will become mushy in the baked dish. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside. Don’t rinse the pasta, as the starch on the surface helps the sauce cling better.

Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Spinach – Building Flavor from the Base

• Heat Olive Oil: In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven (at least 12-inch diameter), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Make sure your skillet is oven-safe, as you’ll be baking the pasta directly in it. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish later.
• Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the hot olive oil and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter. You want it to be lightly golden and aromatic. The aroma of sautéing garlic is the first sign of deliciousness to come!
• Add Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach wilts down significantly. This will take just a few minutes. Spinach wilts quickly, so don’t overcook it. It should be tender and vibrant green.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Boursin Sauce – The Heart of the Dish

• Add Sundried Tomatoes and Oregano: Stir in the drained and chopped sundried tomatoes and dried oregano to the skillet with the spinach and garlic. Cook for another minute or two to warm the sundried tomatoes and allow the oregano to release its fragrant oils.
• Incorporate Boursin Cheese: Add the block of Boursin cheese to the skillet. Break it up slightly with a spoon or spatula. Let it melt into the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it becomes smooth and creamy. This is where the magic happens! The Boursin melts beautifully and creates the base of your luscious sauce.
• Pour in Heavy Cream: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet. Stir to combine it with the melted Boursin cheese and other ingredients, creating a smooth and creamy sauce. Simmer gently for a few minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Don’t let it boil vigorously, as the cream might curdle.
• Stir in Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the Parmesan is melted and incorporated into the sauce, making it even richer and cheesier.
• Season to Perfection: Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. Remember to taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add red pepper flakes if desired for a touch of heat.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce – The Grand Finale Before Baking

• Add Cooked Pasta: Add the drained cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy Boursin sauce. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly to ensure the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce. Make sure every strand or piece of pasta is lovingly embraced by that creamy, flavorful sauce.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection – The Final Touch of Deliciousness

• Bake in Oven: Transfer the skillet (if oven-safe) to the preheated oven. If you used a regular skillet, carefully transfer the pasta mixture to a greased baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through, the sauce is bubbly, and the top is lightly golden brown. Baking helps to meld the flavors together even further and creates a delightful slightly crispy top.
• Optional Broiling (For Extra Browning): For an even more golden-brown and slightly crispy top, you can broil the pasta for the last 1-2 minutes of baking. Keep a very close eye on it to prevent burning. Broiling is optional but adds a nice textural contrast.

Step 6: Rest and Serve – Enjoy Your Boursin Pasta Masterpiece!

• Rest Briefly: Remove the baked pasta from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to settle slightly and the flavors to meld even further.
• Garnish and Serve: Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and perhaps a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the incredible flavors of your homemade Baked Boursin Cheese Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes and Spinach!