A block of garlic Boursin and a pan of grape tomatoes go into the oven; 30 minutes later you stir them into a creamy sauce, add spinach and gnocchi, and dinner is done. It’s the viral baked feta pasta idea, made with the cheese I grew up eating.

Why this works

• Boursin melts into a silky, garlicky sauce without any cream or flour.
• Roasted grape tomatoes burst and turn sweet, balancing the rich cheese.
• Gnocchi are soft little pillows that hold the sauce better than most pasta.

My tips

• Use a baking dish just big enough for the cheese and tomatoes so the juices don’t scorch.
• Add the spinach a handful at a time; it wilts down a lot.
• Save a splash of the gnocchi cooking water to loosen the sauce if it gets thick.
• For gluten-free, check the gnocchi label; many shelf-stable potato gnocchi contain wheat.

The story behind it

How can easy be so good? My Easy Spinach & Boursin Gnocchi is so, so good.

I know that the above sentences answer themselves but this recipe was so easy and so good. I may be a little late to the party but the baked goat cheese pasta has been all the rage – viral on tik tok and Instagram reels. I chose to use BOURSIN because I love boursin cheese. I used to have it with my parents as a child/young adult. I have not had it much of late but this seemed like a great use for the cheese of my childhood. I knew it would melt well.

My original plan was to do this dish with orzo. My regular grocery store did not have my gluten free orzo. So I saw gnocchi and thought that would work well. I made this recipe when my daughter was home and I know we both thought the gnocchi was the perfect vehicle for the cheese. I will have to look for the gnocchi at the store again because it was so good. I rarely buy a prepared food but this pasta was definitely worth it and I will definitely buy it again (and share the brand with you when I find it).

When I said easy, I meant easy. The dish begins with placing the cheese and tomatoes in a baking dish and throwing it in the oven. Once baked, spices, spinach and the cooked gnocchi are added and mixed together. THAT’S IT. I ask again, how can something so simple be so tasty? Basic ingredients that are good, in and of themselves, when mixed together in the right combination, become awesome.

The building of the boursin gnocchi pasta.

The Easy Boursin & Spinach Gnocchi plated.

Make ahead & storage

• Best right away. Leftovers keep 2–3 days in the fridge.
• Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or milk to bring the sauce back.

Variations

• Use the pepper Boursin instead of garlic and herb.
• Swap the gnocchi for orzo or a short pasta.
• Add cooked chicken or Italian sausage for more protein.

Questions people ask

Can I use goat cheese or feta?

Yes. Feta gives you the original viral version and goat cheese is tangier, but Boursin is the creamiest.

Do I need to boil the gnocchi first?

Yes. Cook them according to the package while the cheese bakes, then stir them in.

Why is my sauce oily?

Boursin can separate if it bakes too long. Stir well and add a splash of the gnocchi water to bring it back together.

You might also like: Homemade Sweet Potato Pesto Gnocchi: A Culinary DIY Journey · Easy Weeknight Baked Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella · 15 Minute Healthy Pesto Pasta

Made this? Leave a star rating in the recipe card below and tell me how it turned out in the comments. I read every one.

The Recipe

Easy Boursin & Spinach Gnocchi

Print Pin

Garlic Boursin and grape tomatoes bake into a creamy sauce, then get tossed with spinach and gnocchi. An easy, mostly hands-off dinner.

5 from 1 vote

Prep5 minutes mins

Cook40 minutes mins

Total45 minutes mins

Servings6 servings

Scale

1x2x3x

Ingredients 

• ▢ 2 Packages Potato gnocchi (gluten-free if needed), 16 oz each
• ▢ 2 Packages Garlic Boursin cheese, 5.2 oz each
• ▢ 3/4 Package Spinach, as much as you can fit in
• ▢ 2 Cartons Grape tomatoes
• ▢ 1/2 Tsp Red pepper chili flakes
• ▢ 1 Tsp Dried oregano
• ▢ 1 Tsp Dried parsley
• ▢ 1 Tsp Garlic powder
• ▢ 1/2 Tsp Salt
• ▢ 1/2 Tsp Ground black pepper

Instructions 

• Heat the oven to 350°F. Put the Boursin in the center of a baking dish and surround it with the tomatoes.
• Bake 30–40 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the cheese is soft.
• While it bakes, cook the gnocchi according to the package. Drain.
• Add the spices to the baking dish and stir the cheese and tomatoes into a sauce.
• Stir in the spinach a handful at a time until wilted.
• Fold in the gnocchi and mix well. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Nutrition is an estimate per serving, calculated from the ingredients.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 470kcal (24%), Carbohydrates: 59g (20%), Protein: 11g (22%), Fat: 20g (31%)