This 10-Minute Cream Cheese Pasta is deliciously creamy, comforting, and cozy cozy but requires no effort and only 5 ingredients. It’s sure to become your new go-to lazy or busy day pasta dish!
Cream Cheese Pasta
Today I’m sharing my go-to lazy day dish. This simple Cream Cheese Pasta comes together in 10 minutes, has only 5 ingredients, and is SO freakin delicious: creamy, cheesy, garlicky, and so comforting!
In a way, it tastes similar to Alfredo sauce but tangier because of the cream cheese. No roux involved, no hassle, anyone can make it but it’s good. Like, it’s worth it.
Why you’ll like this recipe:
- Flavorful. Think sautéed garlic, tangy cream cheese, earthy Parmesan cheese, and freshly cracked black pepper. Want a little heat? Add cayenne!
- Creamy and comforting. The cream cheese sauce is incredibly creamy and just so cozy when enjoyed warm!
- Similar to Alfredo sauce minus the hassle of making Alfredo sauce which requires a roux where you have to toast flour, etc.
- Just 5 ingredients that you likely already have on hand: butter, garlic, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- Ready in 10 minutes, it’s the perfect pasta to serve when you want something creamy and delicious but no time or will to actually cook!
Cream Cheese Pasta Ingredients
Pasta. Any pasta works so use your favorite or what you have on hand. I specifically like spaghetti for this sauce. You can use Gluten-Free pasta for GF eaters, of course.
Butter. Use unsalted to have more control over the salt you add in total. You can also use olive oil if you prefer but I recommend butter for a richer flavor. We’re working with a few simple ingredients so if you can use one to boost the overall flavor, you should definitely do that!
Garlic. You want to use fresh garlic, ideally, because – again – this is a very simple sauce with simple ingredients so you want those ingredients to be fresh and high-quality for best flavor. I tried it with powder garlic a few times and it was still good (so you can do that) but nothing beats fresh!
Cream cheese. Use full-fat because you need all the creaminess and richness of full-fat cream cheese.
Parmesan cheese for extra flavor and to thicken the sauce. You can also use Pecorino if you prefer but you may need to reduce the amount of salt you’d regularly use as Pecorino can be very salty! Ideally, you want to grate your own cheese because store-bought doesn’t usually melt as good, they add substances to keep it from clumping up in the package and the result is it usually doesn’t melt either lol.
Pasta water. This is just water from the pasta you’re going to boil, make sure to reserve some to add to the sauce.
Salt and pepper for seasoning. I recommend freshly-ground black pepper if possible.
How to make pasta with cream cheese sauce
STEP ONE: Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling salted water according to package instruction. When ready to drain, reserve 1/2 cup (125 ml) pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta, add about 1 tsp butter, and toss to keep it from sticking and drying up. Cover.
STEP TWO: Sautè the garlic. In a medium skillet over medium-low heat, add the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and sautè until soft and fragrant (about 2-3 minutes). Turn off the heat.
STEP THREE: Make the cream cheese sauce. In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, Parmesan (or Pecorino), sautéed garlic, and the reserved pasta water. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
STEP FOUR: Toss and serve. Transfer the pasta to the skillet, set the heat to medium, and pour in the sauce. Toss over medium heat for a few seconds, then serve topped with freshly-cracked black pepper. Enjoy!
Can I make this ahead of time?
No, this pasta is a 10-minute dish which is supposed to be enjoyed as is made because of the creamy sauce!
Can I store cream cheese pasta?
You can store leftovers covered or in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the sauce will dry up when stored.
To reheat, transfer the leftover pasta to a skillet or saucepan with a splash of milk to loosen up the sauce and reheat until hot.
HAPPY BAKING!! I hope you’ll love this Coconut Cream Horns recipe as much as I do!
PS: Please leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you make it! Your comments make my day!! You can also tag me on Instagram @itsdamnspicy 🌈💘
More pasta recipes you’ll enjoy:
Cream Cheese Garlic Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225 g) any pasta (use gluten-free pasta for GF eaters)
- 1 tbsp (15 g) unsalted butter
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 6 oz (170 g) full-fat cream cheese
- 1/4 cup (40 g) grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino cheese, I recommend grating your own for best texture)
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) reserved pasta water
- Salt and pepper (to taste, reduce salt if using Pecorino cheese)
Instructions
- Cook the pastain a pot of boiling salted water according to package instruction. When ready to drain, reserve 1/2 cup (125 ml) pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta, add about 1 tsp butter, and toss to keep it from sticking and drying up. Cover.
- Sautè the garlic. In a medium skillet over medium-low heat, add the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and sautè until soft and fragrant (about 2-3 minutes). Turn off the heat.
- Make the cream cheese sauce. In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, Parmesan (or Pecorino), sautéed garlic, and the reserved pasta water. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
- Toss and serve. Transfer the pasta to the skillet, set the heat to medium, and pour in the sauce. Toss over medium heat for a few seconds, then serve topped with freshly-cracked black pepper. Enjoy!
Notes
📷 DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?! Tag @damnspicy on Instagram!
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