Creamy Boursin Fettuccine with Grilled Shrimp and Bell Peppers: An Elegant and Easy Weeknight Delight
Transform your weeknight dinner into a gourmet experience with this incredibly flavorful and surprisingly simple Boursin fettuccine dish. Featuring tender, succulent shrimp and vibrant, smoky grilled bell peppers, all tossed in a luscious, garlicky Boursin cheese sauce with fresh fettuccine, this recipe proves that elegance doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s the perfect way to showcase the colorful bounty from your garden or local farmer’s market, creating a visually stunning and utterly delicious meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
This dish is more than just a quick meal; it’s an experience. The creamy, rich texture of the Boursin sauce perfectly complements the sweetness of the shrimp and the smoky char of the grilled peppers. The fresh arugula adds a peppery bite, cutting through the richness and adding another layer of flavor and freshness. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply looking for a delightful family dinner, this Boursin shrimp fettuccine will surely impress with its sophisticated flavors and effortless preparation.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. Boursin cheese, known for its soft, creamy texture and vibrant garlic and herb flavor, forms the backbone of a sauce that’s both indulgent and incredibly easy to make. Coupled with fresh pasta, which cooks in minutes, and quick-cooking shrimp, you get a meal that tastes like it took hours but is ready in a flash. The grilled bell peppers not only add a wonderful sweetness and texture but also a gorgeous pop of color, making each plate a work of art.
Boursin Sauce Fettuccine with Shrimp and Grilled Peppers
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Ingredients
- 1 large yellow bell pepper
- 1 orange bell pepper
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus 2 tsp for brushing peppers
- kosher salt
- fresh cracked pepper
- 1 ¼ lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 pkgs fresh fettuccine such as Buitoni
- 1 cup arugula leaves chopped
- 1 tub Boursin Garlic and Herb Gornay Cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tsp chopped fresh herbs such as oregano or Italian flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of water to boil.
For the peppers
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Heat grill to high heat.
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Cut the peppers into large sections, discarding the seeds and ribs. Brush lightly with ~2 teaspoons olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
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Grill peppers, turning once, until lightly charred, but not scorched. Set aside.
For the shrimp and Boursin sauce
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Rinse the shrimp and blot with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
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In a large nonstick saute pan, heat the tablespoon olive oil over high heat. Add the shrimp and cook, tossing regularly, 1-2 minutes until just translucent and lightly golden around the edges. Remove the shrimp to a dish and set aside.
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To the pan off the heat, add the milk and Boursin. Stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth. Add back the shrimp (the residual heat will finish cooking the shrimp). Add the arugula. Season well with salt and pepper to taste.
For the fettuccine
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Cook the pasta to al dente in the boiling water according to package directions (~2 minutes).
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Toss the fettuccine into the shrimp and cheese sauce. Divide among 4 plates. Take the peppers and slice into strips – top each plate with a center mound of the pepper strips. Garnish over top with fresh herbs.
Nutrition
Why You’ll Love This Boursin Shrimp Fettuccine Recipe
This Boursin Shrimp Fettuccine with Grilled Peppers isn’t just a meal; it’s a testament to how easily a luxurious dining experience can be created at home. What makes this dish truly special? First, its incredible speed. From prep to plate, you’re looking at just 25 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you crave something special without the fuss. Second, the flavor profile is exceptional. The creamy, garlicky, and herbaceous Boursin cheese transforms into a velvety sauce that coats every strand of fettuccine, while the plump, perfectly cooked shrimp add a sweet, briny counterpoint. Finally, the vibrant grilled bell peppers provide a beautiful visual appeal, a satisfying smoky sweetness, and a lovely textural contrast, ensuring every bite is a delight.
A Closer Look at the Star Ingredients
Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese: The Heart of the Sauce
Boursin cheese is truly the secret weapon in this recipe. This French Gournay cheese is renowned for its rich, creamy texture and its characteristic blend of garlic and fine herbs. When melted into milk, it creates an instant, velvety sauce that’s bursting with flavor, eliminating the need for complex roux or extensive seasoning. Its unique tang and savory notes perfectly complement the other ingredients. If Boursin is unavailable, a good quality cream cheese mixed with finely minced garlic, dried herbs (like oregano, basil, and chives), and a touch of lemon zest can serve as a decent substitute, though the distinctive Boursin flavor is hard to replicate.
Succulent Shrimp: Protein-Packed Perfection
Shrimp offers a quick-cooking, lean protein that’s ideal for a speedy pasta dish. For best results, opt for large, peeled, and deveined shrimp, whether fresh or frozen. If using frozen, ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to achieve that lovely golden sear. The key to cooking shrimp is speed; they turn from tender to rubbery in a flash, so pay close attention to the cooking times to keep them juicy and flavorful.
Vibrant Bell Peppers: A Burst of Color and Sweetness
Grilled bell peppers bring a wonderful smoky sweetness and textural contrast to this dish. Yellow and orange peppers are specified for their vibrant color and mild, sweet flavor, but red peppers would also work beautifully. Grilling them until lightly charred enhances their natural sweetness and gives them a desirable tenderness without losing their slight crunch. They’re also packed with vitamins and antioxidants, adding a healthy boost to your meal.
Fresh Fettuccine: The Ideal Canvas
Fresh fettuccine is preferred for this recipe because it cooks incredibly quickly and has a wonderfully delicate texture that beautifully absorbs the creamy Boursin sauce. Its flat, wide shape is perfect for clinging to the sauce and provides a satisfying mouthfeel. While dried fettuccine can be used, adjust cooking times according to package directions, and be aware it might have a slightly firmer texture. Other long pasta shapes like tagliatelle or linguine would also be excellent choices.
Expert Tips for a Flawless Dish
Perfectly Grilled Peppers Every Time
- High Heat is Key: Ensure your grill is properly preheated to high heat. This creates that desirable char quickly without overcooking the peppers.
- Uniform Slices: Cut the bell peppers into large, relatively uniform sections. This ensures even cooking and makes them easier to handle on the grill.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Grill the peppers in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the grill. This allows for better air circulation and more even charring.
- Watch Carefully: Peppers can go from charred to burnt very quickly. Stay attentive and turn them once they develop nice grill marks and a slight tenderness.
Mastering Shrimp Cookery
- Pat Dry: Always pat your shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels before cooking. This helps them sear beautifully and prevents steaming.
- Hot Pan: Heat your pan to high heat with olive oil before adding shrimp. This ensures a quick sear and prevents them from sticking.
- Don’t Overcook: Shrimp cooks very quickly, usually 1-2 minutes per side until they turn opaque and pink. Overcooked shrimp become tough and rubbery. Removing them from the pan and allowing residual heat to finish cooking is a clever trick.
Achieving the Perfect Pasta and Sauce
- Al Dente Perfection: Cook your fresh fettuccine to “al dente,” meaning it should be firm to the bite. Since fresh pasta cooks very fast, usually only 2 minutes, keep a close eye on it.
- Salt Your Pasta Water: Always generously salt your pasta water. It’s your only chance to season the pasta itself, adding depth of flavor to the entire dish.
- Creamy Sauce Consistency: When adding the Boursin and milk, stir continuously off the heat to create a smooth, lump-free sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, you can thin it with a splash of pasta water. If too thin, let it simmer gently for a minute or two to reduce slightly.
Delicious Variations and Customizations
This Boursin fettuccine recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing for numerous delicious variations:
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to toss in other quick-cooking vegetables. Cherry tomatoes, spinach, thinly sliced zucchini, or asparagus spears would be fantastic additions, adding more nutrition and flavor.
- Spice It Up: For a touch of heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes when cooking the shrimp or stirring the sauce.
- Alternative Proteins: Not a fan of shrimp? Cooked chicken breast (sliced or shredded) or seared scallops would make excellent substitutes. For a vegetarian option, omit the shrimp and add sautéed mushrooms or chickpeas.
- Different Herbs: While oregano and parsley are excellent, fresh basil or chives can also elevate the flavor profile. Experiment with your favorite combinations!
- Lighter Sauce: For a slightly lighter sauce, you can use low-fat milk or even a vegetable broth, though it may alter the creaminess slightly.
- Cheese Variations: While Boursin is key, you could experiment with other herbed soft cheeses, like an herbed goat cheese for a tangier profile, or even a mix of cream cheese and feta for a different creamy texture.
Serving Suggestions
This Boursin Shrimp Fettuccine is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette would provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy pasta. Crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce, ensuring not a drop of deliciousness is wasted. A chilled glass of crisp white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, would also complement the flavors beautifully.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftovers of this Boursin fettuccine can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When reheating, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave. You may need to add a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy consistency, as pasta tends to absorb sauce and dry out when cooled.
Embrace the simplicity and elegance of this Boursin Sauce Fettuccine with Shrimp and Grilled Peppers. It’s a dish that promises big flavors and a satisfying meal without demanding hours in the kitchen. Perfect for any occasion, it’s bound to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation. Enjoy creating and savoring this delightful pasta masterpiece!