Creamy Brie Pasta (Easy 4 Ingredient Pasta)
I had a whole wheel of brie leftover from a party and honestly had no idea what to do with it. I didn’t want another cheese board situation, and I definitely wasn’t about to waste it! So I did what any carb loving person would do and turned it into pasta.
This creamy brie pasta is one of those low effort, high reward meals that feels way fancier than it is. The brie melts down into a creamy, silky sauce. The cherry tomatoes add brightness and sweetness, and everything comes together with just a few pantry staples. It’s cozy, creamy, and incredibly easy!
Best part? It’s basically a 3 ingredient pasta, or 4 if you finish it with feta on top, which I highly recommend.
If you like baked brie and you like pasta, this one is going straight into your regular rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Brie Pasta
This brie pasta recipe checks a lot of boxes for very little work:
Only 3 to 4 main ingredients
Ready in about 30 minutes
Great way to use leftover brie cheese!
No cream required, the cheese makes the sauce
Weeknight friendly and beginner proof
Feels fancy but costs very little effort
Easy to customize with herbs or protein
It’s the kind of meal you make once and then keep making.
What Is Brie Pasta
Brie pasta is a simple pasta dish where brie cheese is melted into a creamy sauce and tossed with cooked pasta. As the cheese warms, it softens and blends with pasta water to form a smooth, rich coating without needing heavy cream. When combined with cherry tomatoes and garlic, the result is a balanced creamy tomato brie pasta that tastes comforting but still refreshing. It’s similar to baked feta pasta, but even creamier and more mellow!
Best Pasta Shapes for Brie Pasta
Choose pasta shapes that trap sauce well! You will want to catch as much of that creamy sauce as possible.
Good choices:
penne
rigatoni
fusilli
shells
Long pasta like spaghetti also works, but you’ll want to toss thoroughly so the sauce coats evenly.
Tips for the Creamiest Brie Pasta
Remove the rind for a smoother sauce
- Brie rind is technically edible, but it does not melt as smoothly as the inside of the cheese. For the creamiest brie pasta sauce, trim off most of the rind before adding it to the pan.
Cut the brie into small chunks
- Smaller pieces melt faster and more evenly. If you add a large wedge straight into the pan, it will take longer to break down and can melt unevenly.
Use reserved pasta water
- Do not skip the pasta water! The starch in the water helps emulsify the melted brie and oil into a glossy, creamy sauce that coats the pasta instead of clumping.
Keep the heat medium low when melting the brie
- High heat can cause cheese sauces to separate and turn greasy. Let the brie melt slowly into the tomatoes for the best texture.
Salt after mixing everything together
- Brie and feta are both naturally salty. Always taste after tossing the pasta before adding extra salt.
Toss thoroughly before serving
- Take an extra 20 to 30 seconds to really toss the pasta in the sauce. You want every strand or piece coated for the best bite.
Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is amazing because it is easy and uses very few ingredients, but feel free to substitute for other ingredients or level up the dish with additional ingredients!
Add a protein to make it more filling
- If you want to turn this into a higher protein meal, add cooked chicken, Italian sausage, or crispy bacon. Stir it in right at the end when you toss the pasta with the brie sauce. Rotisserie chicken works especially well for a fast shortcut.
Add greens for balance
- Because the sauce is rich and creamy, adding vegetables helps balance the dish. Spinach or arugala are great options. Stir them in during the final toss so they just wilt into the hot pasta.
Swap the tomatoes
- Cherry tomatoes give sweetness and brightness, but you can also use grape tomatoes or chopped fresh tomatoes.
Make it spicy
- If you like a bit of heat, add chili flakes, chili oil, or cracked black pepper at the end. The spice cuts through the richness of the brie sauce nicely.
Add fresh herbs
- Fresh basil or parsley adds freshness and color. Sprinkle on top right before serving to brighten the final dish.
Use whole wheat or high protein pasta
- Any dry pasta works here, including whole wheat or high protein pasta if that fits your nutrition goals. Just be sure to reserve extra pasta water since alternative pastas sometimes need more loosening.
Storage and Reheating
This pasta is best fresh, but leftovers are still good.
Store in the fridge up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Reheat gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Stir halfway through reheating for even texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave the rind on brie for pasta?
You can, but the sauce will be slightly grainier. Removing the rind gives a smoother, creamier result.
Does brie melt well into pasta sauce?
Yes. Brie melts very well when chopped and heated gently. Combined with pasta water, it turns into a creamy sauce without needing cream.
Is this like baked feta pasta?
Similar idea, different flavor and texture. Brie pasta is creamier and milder, while feta pasta is tangier and saltier.
Can I make brie pasta ahead of time?
It’s best made fresh, but you can prep ingredients ahead and cook quickly when ready.
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Ingredients
4 oz Dry pasta
4 oz Brie cheese, rind removed and cut into small chunks
2 cloves Garlic, diced
25 Cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tsp Salt
2 tbsp Chopped parsley
3 tbsp Feta cheese, for topping (optional)
Step by step instructions
1. Prep the ingredients
Cut the brie into small chunks for faster melting. Dice the garlic and halve the cherry tomatoes. Chop the parsley and set aside.
2. Cook the pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 4 tablespoons of pasta water. Drain and set the pasta aside.
3. Cook the tomatoes and garlic
Heat oil in a pan over medium low heat. Add the garlic and cherry tomatoes. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and start to release their juices.
4. Melt the brie
Add the brie chunks to the pan. Let the cheese melt slowly, stirring gently, until it turns into a creamy sauce.
5. Combine with pasta
Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, salt, and chopped parsley. Toss everything together and cook for about 1 minute, until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta evenly.
6. Finish and serve
Plate the pasta and top with feta cheese if using. Enjoy!
Creamy Brie Pasta (Easy 4 Ingredient Pasta)
Ingredients
- 120 g Dry pasta
- 120 g Brie cheese rind removed and cut into small chunks
- 2 cloves Garlic, diced
- 25 Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Chopped parsley
- 3 tbsp Feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients:Cut the brie into small chunks for faster melting. Dice the garlic and halve the cherry tomatoes. Chop the parsley and set aside.
- Cook the pasta:Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 4 tablespoons of pasta water. Drain and set the pasta aside.
- Cook the tomatoes and garlic:Heat oil in a pan over medium low heat. Add the garlic and cherry tomatoes. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and start to release their juices.
- Melt the brie:Add the brie chunks to the pan. Let the cheese melt slowly, stirring gently, until it turns into a creamy sauce.
- Combine with pasta:Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, salt, and chopped parsley. Toss everything together and cook for about 1 minute, until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta evenly.
- Finish and serve:Plate the pasta and top with feta cheese if using. Enjoy!
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