Baked Lemon Boursin Pasta with Spring Vegetables
- 8 ounces whole-wheat penne
- 2 cups unsalted vegetable broth
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
- 3 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 (5.2-ounce) package garlic-and-herb Boursin cheese
- 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1½-inch pieces
- 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish (optional)
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Combine 8 ounces penne, 2 cups broth, 1 cup water, ½ cup Parmesan, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, the sliced garlic, ½ teaspoon pepper and ¼ teaspoon salt in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Stir until evenly combined and the pasta is mostly submerged.
- Nestle the Boursin in the center. Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake until the pasta is almost tender, about 35 minutes.
- Remove from oven; stir the pasta around the edges of the dish.
- Add asparagus pieces, 5 ounces spinach and 1 cup frozen peas.
- Re-cover tightly with foil.
- Continue baking until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the pasta and asparagus are tender, about 15 minutes more.
- Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
- Serve topped with additional Parmesan and parsley, if desired.