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Have Leftover Brie Cheese? Make Pasta!
I can’t think of a better way to use leftover brie cheese than to make pasta with it! Creamy, savory, garlicky deliciousness. So so sooooo good. Even if you don’t have leftover brie, it’s worth getting some for this recipe! Don’t sleep on this one, friends. Brie pasta is the perfect quick and easy recipe for dinner!
I first made this pasta recipe a few years ago when I had tons of leftover brie after a holiday party, and I’m so glad I accidentally discovered it because it’s INCREDIBLE. Creamy brie cheese, minced garlic, milk, and your favorite pasta, mixed with spinach, blistered tomatoes, and freshly chopped basil for a meal that literally tastes like it’s from a restaurant. You guys are going to love this super easy recipe!
You’ll Also Love: 30+ Healthy Pasta Recipes (Easy & Comforting!)
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:
- Brie Cheese – Buttery, earthy, and full of flavor, there’s nothing like the flavor of brie cheese in this recipe!
- Pasta of Choice – Spaghetti, linguini, bowtie pasta, rotini, penne, fettuccine….the pasta options are endless. I personally love using whole wheat or chickpea pasta for more nutrition! Boil the pasta with a little bit of olive oil and salt to give it flavor for an extra delicious meal.
- Milk – Regular milk or unsweetened cashew milk are both great options. You can also use unsweetened almond milk!
- Spinach, Tomatoes, & Basil – Fresh basil tastes fantastic, especially when it’s in season during the summer. However, dried basil works great, too.
- Garlic & Lemon Juice – I used minced garlic and freshly squeezed lemon juice in this recipe. Garlic powder is a great option as well!
- Nutritional Yeast (Optional) – This might sound crazy, but I like adding a little nutritional yeast to brie pasta because it adds flavor and brings out that cheesy taste. It also adds more nutrition and protein to the meal. However, it is definitely optional!
- Protein of Choice (Optional) – Add chicken, steak, shrimp, or vegan meatballs. Another option is to serve it on the side or skip the protein entirely since this pasta recipe has plenty of protein as it is. You can really make this recipe your own!
How to Make Brie Pasta
Brie pasta can be made in just 25 minutes or less! All you’ll need is a large sauté pan to make it. Here’s an overview of how to put together this quick and easy recipe:
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water.
- Blister the tomatoes and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt the brie with seasoning, milk, and a little bit of lemon juice in a saucepan (or sauté pan).
- Stir in the pasta, protein of choice, cooked tomatoes, and spinach.
- Top with freshly chopped basil and anything else you want!
RELATED: Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe
Tips for Making Pasta With Brie
- Leave the rind on the brie cheese for this recipe! You can remove it if you like, but it adds that signature brie flavor to the cheese sauce.
- You want the sauce to thicken just ever so slightly! Not runny, but not too thick. It’s also important to note that it will thicken if it sits too long, so be sure to add in the pasta quickly!
- Leave the tomatoes whole instead of cutting them into halves if you want. This makes for really beautiful blistered tomatoes that burst in your mouth!
- If you don’t have enough leftover brie for this recipe, goat cheese or camembert cheese are great substitutions to mix with the brie that you do have.
- Feel free to loosely chop the spinach if desired.
- Add any veggies or toppings to this pasta! Mushrooms, parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or fresh basil leaves are all great options.
You’ll Also Love: Cottage Cheese Pasta Recipe
Topping Ideas
- Chopped Walnuts
- Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
- Basil
- Grated Parmesan
- Red Pepper Flakes
How to Store Brie Pasta
This pasta reheats well! Here’s how to store it:
Refrigerator – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
Freezer – Let cool, store in an airtight container, then place in the fridge for 1 hour. Next, move it to the freezer and store for up to 3 months!
Reheat – Add a splash of water (about 1-2 teaspoons) to the meal, then reheat in the microwave for about 45 seconds, stirring often, until evenly warm.
Healthy Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
- Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
- Spinach & Mushroom Vegetarian Lasagna
- Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake
- 10-Minute Avocado Pasta Sauce
- Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe
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Creamy Brie Pasta Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (of choice)
- 8 ounces brie (cut into small pieces)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes (cut into halves)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional)
- 1-2 cups spinach
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
Topping/Mix-In Ideas
- 1 cup protein of choice (optional – chicken, steak, shrimp, vegan meatballs, etc.)
- cracked black pepper
- grated parmesan
- chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to directions, then drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, chop the basil, slice the tomatoes, and cut the brie into small pieces (about 1/2"-1" cubes).
- In a large sauté pan, cook the tomatoes with 1 Tablespoon of the olive oil and a pinch of salt over medium-high heat for about 2-4 minutes, or just until they begin to blister. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add the remaining oil to the pan and lower the heat to medium.
- Melt the brie in a saucepan or saute pan with garlic, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of milk over medium heat for 4-5 minutes.
- Add in the remaining milk, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk in the nutritional yeast (optional, but so good!), cooking for another 4-5 minutes, or until the brie has fully melted and the sauce has thickened just slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in the spinach.
- Mix in the pasta and protein of choice, then carefully and lightly fold in the tomatoes (they are fragile).
- Top with freshly chopped basil and any other toppings you want!
Video
Notes
- Leave the rind on the brie cheese for this recipe! You can remove it if you like, but it adds that signature brie flavor to the cheese sauce.
- You want the sauce to thicken just ever so slightly! Not runny, but not too thick. It’s also important to note that it will thicken if it sits too long, so be sure to add in the pasta quickly!
- Leave the tomatoes whole instead of cutting them into halves if you want. This makes for really beautiful blistered tomatoes that burst in your mouth!
- If you don’t have enough leftover brie for this recipe, goat cheese or camembert cheese are great substitutions to mix with the brie that you do have.
- Feel free to chop the spinach if desired.
Jenny says:
Pasta and Brie is a lovely combination. This is a great way to get my husband to enjoy Brie as well. “Leave the rind” in tact!
Sharon says:
This pasta is so delicious! The brie adds depth and creaminess to the dish pasta.
Nancy says:
I never would have thought to use brie in a pasta like this — brilliant idea! What a fantastic pasta.
Jessica says:
I’ve never thought of using brie in pasta dishes before, but I love it! This looks so fresh and bright, the perfect summer pasta dish. Thanks!
Amanda Mason says:
This was beyond delicious! Loved every single bite and so did my kiddos! We added grilled chicken and it was such a great Saturday night dinner for us! Thanks for always making such AMAZING recipes!!
ramona says:
I love brie so much and i don’t think i have ever used it in a sauce for pasta. This looks super delicious and i cant wait to try it out soon!
Moop Brown says:
This recipe looks super tasty and the fact that it is so quick and easy to make makes it perfect for busy weeknights.
DEbbie says:
This Creamy Brie Pasta had my name all over it . I had everything on hand but the brie. This was quick, easy and so delicious. Such a nice light meal.
Marta says:
I’m a huge fan of brie, but never made it as a sauce for pasta. This combo is so delicious. I will be making more often for our meatless Monday dinners.
Erin says:
This pasta was so, so flavorful and easy! A huge hit at dinner tonight. Thanks!
Dani says:
I have never used Brie in a pasta recipe and this was heavenly! This dish bursts with flavor. SO GOOD
Kate says:
This pasta is incredible, I never thought to put brie in pasta before but it is so creamy and delicious!
Amanda Mason says:
This was so delicious! Loved every bite! Made it for dinner and it was a huge hit! This one is a keeper!
Sharon says:
I didn’t know that brie could add such flavor and depth to a simple pasta recipe. It’s so simple to make too.
veenaazmanov says:
Love that this easy and quick and creamy pasta is just so delicious and perfect for Dinner. Love the combination, so cheesy and yummy. My family to love it.