Cream cheese pasta is a simple and comforting dish that's perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a gathering with friends. The dish features a velvety, creamy sauce made from cream cheese and other flavorful ingredients, such as garlic and Parmesan cheese.
The sauce is then tossed with cooked pasta, creating a delicious and satisfying meal. This simple pasta dish is also easy to customize, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
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❤️ Why I love this recipe
- Cream cheese pasta can be made in under 30 minutes, making it a great option for a weeknight meal when you're short on time.
- An affordable meal made with pantry-staple ingredients.
- This creamy pasta dish can easily be adapted to suit your family’s preferences.
Whether you're a fan of rich and creamy dishes or just looking for a quick and satisfying meal, cream cheese pasta is definitely worth trying.
🛒 Ingredients
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Note: The full list of this recipe ingredients with their amounts and options are listed in the recipe card below.
- pasta -- use 1 pound of any type of pasta you like.
- cream cheese -- we used Philadelphia Cream Cheese because I can always count on the creamy result.
- Grated parmesan cheese
- olive oil -- we always like to add a bit before serving.
- fresh garlic
- pasta cooking water -- this is the salted starchy pasta water that we save once the pasta is cooked and before it's drained.
- kosher salt and black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- Italian parsley -- chopped for sprinkling on top.
🗒 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Heat oil in a large skillet.
- Gently fry the garlic (with a pinch of chili flakes if you wish) for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the pasta water and the cream cheese.
- Stir to combine until you get a creamy consistency.
- Add the Parmesan.
- Stir well.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and stir well to coat the pasta evenly, adding water if needed.
- Serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of Parmesan, cracked black pepper or chili flakes, and fresh Italian parsley.
🔪 Equipment
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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
- deep pot for cooking the pasta
- large deep skillet for making the sauce and mixing with the cooked pasta
- liquid measuring cup
- dry measuring cups
- measuring spoon
🤔 FAQs
These are the questions we are most frequently asked about making this quick and easy creamy pasta recipe.
Cream cheese can be used in sweet and savory recipes such as spreads, dips, frostings and icing, cheesecakes, stuffed savory appetizers, and pasta dishes!
Yes, but using heavy cream instead can change the texture of this dish, so make sure that you only use it in suitable recipes such as soups and creamy sauces.
You can use many types of cheese in pasta recipes. Some of the best include parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, fontina cheese, and gruyere cheese.
Cream cheese can be enjoyed with Bagels, crackers, fresh vegetables, fruit, and sandwiches, or used as an ingredient in baked goods or as a base for dips and spreads.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- I love using Philadelphia Cream Cheese because it always creates a creamy result, but you can use another brand.
- When cooking the pasta, make sure to follow the package directions and cook it al dente, which means it's cooked but still has a bit of firmness to it. This will prevent the pasta from becoming too mushy when mixed with the sauce.
- When draining the pasta, reserve about a cup of the pasta cooking water. This starchy water can be used to thin out the cream cheese sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly.
- Before mixing the cream cheese with the other ingredients, make sure to soften it to room temperature. This will make it easier to mix and will prevent lumps in the sauce.
- To ensure a smooth and creamy sauce, use a whisk or an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and other ingredients together.
- When adding ingredients to the sauce, such as grated cheese or herbs, add them gradually and taste the sauce as you go. This will help you adjust the flavor to your liking and prevent over-seasoning.
- Cream cheese pasta is best served immediately after cooking, as the sauce can thicken and become less creamy as it cools. If you need to reheat leftovers, be sure to add a splash of milk or broth to loosen up the sauce.
📚 Variations
- You can add vegetables to your cream cheese pasta, such as broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, roasted red peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
- While spaghetti is the classic choice for this dish, you can experiment with different types of pasta, such as penne, fusilli, or linguine, to give the dish a new twist.
- To make the dish more filling, you can add protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or sausage.
- Add a variety of spices and herbs, such as basil, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes.
- Use a cheese other than Parmesan cheese, such as Romano, feta, or goat cheese.
- Add heat to the dish by adding jalapeños, or hot sauce, or increase the chili flakes.
- To make the dish even creamier, you can add heavy cream or half-and-half to the sauce.
🥫 Storage
Leftover cream cheese pasta can be stored, once completely cool, in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding some water or milk to loosen the mixture.
I don’t recommend freezing cream cheese pasta as the sauce can separate from the freezing and thawing process.
📗 Related Recipes
If you love simple creamy pasta recipes that you can have ready to serve in 30 minutes or less, then you don’t want to miss out on these:
- Classic Tagliolini Al Limone - A delicate and zesty pasta dish made with thin pasta, a creamy and rich sauce, and a subtle lemon flavor.
- Gorgonzola Pasta With Diced Apple - Loaded with creamy cheesy flavor and texture, softened diced apples, and aromatic onions!
- Quick and Easy Orecchiette With Creamy Broccoli Sauce - A one-pan vegetable-rich dish, perfect for a meatless dinner!
- Tortellini Alla Panna - This recipe takes cheesy tortellini and bathes them in a rich cheesy creamy sauce.
- Spinach Pici Pasta—If you want to try your hand at homemade pasta that is drool-worthy, this recipe is for you. Serve it with the flavorful spicy garlic butter sauce in the recipe or your favorite pasta sauce.
🍽 Serve with
Enjoy this cream cheese pasta alongside a simple arugula salad, crusty garlic bread, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables.
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
Cooking is like therapy to me! I love those days when I have the free time and energy to spend hours on a single recipe, but when busy times hit, there’s nothing better than having a delicious yet simple dish ready to be whipped up effortlessly.
This cream cheese pasta is ultra velvety and satisfying, with the added bonus of requiring minimal ingredients and only 15 minutes to make!
Another easy pasta dinner your family is sure to love, is our Easy Baked Spaghetti Pie recipe. You can make this dish ahead of time and simply pop it in the oven before you're ready to eat.
Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📝 Recipe Card
Looking for a dish that is both creamy, filling, and comforting? Look no further than this cream cheese pasta that will bring a smile to everyone's face. Perfect for satisfying midweek carb cravings, this pasta is also affordable and can be prepared in no time!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
📖 Recipe
The BEST Cream Cheese Pasta Recipe in 15 minutes.
Equipment Needed
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti 450 grams (penne, fusilli, etc.)
- 1 ½ cup cream cheese 337.5 grams ( 1½ 8 oz. package)
- ½ cup grated parmesan 60 grams plus more to serve
- 2 tablespoon olive oil plus more to serve
- 3 garlic cloves minced or pressed
- 1 cup pasta cooking water 240 ml plus more if needed
- salt and pepper to taste
- ¾ teaspoon chili flakes divided and according to taste (optional)
- Italian parsley chopped for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. ** See notes.
- Right before draining, reserve a 1 ½ cup of starchy pasta water.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet warm 2 tablespoon of olive oil and gently fry the garlic (plus a good pinch of chili flakes if you like) for 2-3 minutes. Use a low flame, do not let the garlic burn.
- Then stir the cream cheese and about 1 cup of starchy pasta water. Stir to combine oil, cream cheese, water and create a nice and creamy emulsion. Add parmesan cheese and stir well. Your pasta sauce is ready.
- Drain and add your pasta to the skillet. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta in the sauce, add more cooking water as needed for a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Serve immediately with a drizzle of good olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, freshly grated parmesan, and freshly ground black pepper (if you don't use chili flakes). A light sprinkle of fresh Italian parsley Enjoy!
Notes
- I love using Philadelphia Cream Cheese because it always creates a creamy result, but you can use another brand.
- When cooking the pasta, make sure to follow the package directions and cook it al dente, which means it's cooked but still has a bit of firmness to it. This will prevent the pasta from becoming too mushy when mixed with the sauce.
- When draining the pasta, reserve about a cup of the pasta cooking water. This starchy water can be used to thin out the cream cheese sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly.
- Before mixing the cream cheese with the other ingredients, make sure to soften it to room temperature. This will make it easier to mix and will prevent lumps in the sauce.
- To ensure a smooth and creamy sauce, use a whisk or an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and other ingredients together.
- When adding ingredients to the sauce, such as grated cheese or herbs, add them gradually and taste the sauce as you go. This will help you adjust the flavor to your liking and prevent over-seasoning.
- Cream cheese pasta is best served immediately after cooking, as the sauce can thicken and become less creamy as it cools. If you need to reheat leftovers, be sure to add a splash of milk or broth to loosen up the sauce.
Nutrition
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