Boursin Orzo Bake

How does a one-pan baked dish that is veggie-forward, rich in omega-3 from salmon, and beautiful sound? Too good to be true? You may be right. That was our experience when we first made an “easy” Boursin orzo bake. Things got even more complicated when we added salmon! However, we persevered and discovered how to make this dish perfectly. But first, let’s answer some questions about what is maybe the most unfamiliar ingredient – Boursin.

What kind of cheese is Boursin? Is Boursin goat or cow cheese?

Boursin cheese is a cow cheese! More specifically, it is made from a mixture of milk and cream, which gives it a texture that is somewhat similar to cream cheese. That’s about where the similarities end, though! Additionally, Boursin has a variety of added flavors. The classic garlic and herb style Boursin cheese is a lovely soft cheese. Its flavor is very garlic-forward without being overpowering.

Is Boursin the same thing as cream cheese?

While similar, Boursin is not the same as cream cheese. The following chart will show some key differences.

What does Boursin cheese taste like?

Boursin has a very unique flavor! Because there are so many popular varieties, it is difficult to explain how the brand Boursin cheese tastes. In this section, we’ll describe the taste of the garlic and herb variety that we use in this recipe! For starters, even though the cheese is crumbly, it does have a creamy mouthfeel. The flavor of the cheese is difficult to pin down, but some words that describe it could be buttery and savory with a tangy undertone. It really is an experience that you need to have for yourself!

Can you eat Boursin cheese by itself?

Yes, you can! Boursin would be delicious as part of a picnic! Spread over crackers, paired with fruit and sparkling water. How romantic! Boursin is safe to eat on its own, though it really shines paired with savory or umami flavors. Try it with blackened chicken!

Now that we’ve all learned a bit about Boursin, let’s talk about…

Things to love about this recipe

• You get specific instruction, as well as tips and tricks to prevent dry, overcooked salmon.
• You will learn how not to over-season this dish, especially since Boursin brings its own seasonings!
• You will learn how to balance the fish and cream flavors with bright and acidic ones!
• You get insider knowledge on how to prevent crunchy (or mushy) orzo.

How is this recipe “global?”

Well…it’s not exactly. A Boursin bake isn’t new, and neither is adding orzo. However, this version is Mediterranean-inspired! Boursin cheese is delicious and we love veggies at A Dish to Share. However, we really wanted to find a way to increase the protein and satiety factor of this meal. What better way than adding pasta and fish?! From there, the flavors really started to come together. Sun dried tomatoes for umami, lemon for brightness, herbes de Provence for earthiness. Flavors from all around the Mediterranean, right in your kitchen! Give it a try, and you’ll see what we mean!

Without further ado, let’s jump in!

How to make Boursin Orzo Bake

Prepare your veggies

First, prepare the veggies. Dice the onion, cut the zucchini into chunks, and slice the mushrooms. The tomatoes will burst during baking, so it isn’t necessary to do anything with them. We like to arrange it like this because it’s cute! It isn’t necessary, if that’s not your thing!

Add the seasonings and position the orzo

While we believe that veggies, broth, salmon, and Boursin by themselves would be delicious, the seasonings in this dish really draw out the best of each flavor. Sun dried tomatoes add an earthy, umami undertone to the dish. Herbes de Provence add an earthy herbal note that does not overpower the Boursin’s flavor. Lemon zest adds a brightness that really sets this dish apart.

As you can see in this picture, the orzo is not just poured over top of the veggies. You really want to try to sink the orzo to the bottom of the dish so that it gets covered by broth and heavy cream.

Bake!

If pictures could contain smells! Oh, my. Coming out of the oven, this dish smells like tomatoes, garlicky cheese, and salmon. It is an absolutely mouthwatering combination. Luckily, if you’re smelling that, it means you’re almost done!

You may notice from the photo that things are not in exactly the same place as they started. That’s because, about halfway through, we stirred the orzo. At first, we believed that simply putting orzo in the pan with broth would cook all the orzo all the way through. That wasn’t the case. Womp womp. The silver lining in our kitchen is that when we make mistakes, we learn from them. And we can share those lessons with you! After about 10-15 minutes of cook time, stir the orzo so that any orzo at the bottom of the pan comes to the top. That prevents the cooked orzo from becoming mushy. Additionally, the orzo that was on top is pushed down toward the bottom and has a chance to cook, preventing it from becoming crunchy!

You may also notice that the salmon has white solids all over the outside of it when it comes out of the oven. That is albumin, which seeps out of the meat when it is cooked at too high a heat. We cooked the photographed recipe at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. The next time we tried it (but didn’t photograph it), we cooked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, and that cooked everything without overcooking the fish. However, if you are in a rush, you can always keep an eye on the temperature of the fish and remove it early to prevent it from overcooking. Then the rest of the ingredients have a chance to cook faster without ruining expensive salmon!

In conclusion…

So you see, while a Boursin orzo bake may look simple, it actually does take some thought to do well! And here at a Dish to Share, we’ll always do the work to make your weeknight meals stress-free and simple!

This recipe makes approachable comfort food with dinner-party energy! In fact, if you are making it for a dinner party and want to do some work ahead of time, this dish pairs delightfully with our brown butter sage focaccia and sangria!

Did you make our recipe? Did you love it?! Let us know in the comments how it turned out for you! You can also click the link in the recipe card to save this recipe on Pinterest so you never lose the link!

A Dish to Share helps curious home cooks feel proud of what they made, excited about what’s next, and increasingly knowledgeable about food and culture, one global recipe at a time.