This Cream Cheese Pasta is simple, creamy, and so delicious. Adding cream cheese is the secret to the creamiest, easiest pasta ever! As the cream cheese melts and infuses into the starchy pasta water, it turns into a glossy sauce that coats each noodle with a rich, tangy flavor. This easy cream cheese pasta is ready in just 15 minutes from start to finish and is about to be your new best friend on those busy weeknights!
If you've never tried adding cream cheese into your pasta sauce before, you're about to thank me. This recipe is oh-so-simple, but the flavor is out of this world. You won't believe that just a handful of pantry staples and a couple items from your cheese drawer could make dinner that tastes this good. Creamy, savory, and just a little bit spicy. Serve it on its own or with leftover chicken breast, a simple green salad, and a little garlic bread. Start with my basic recipe, but take it in whatever direction you'd like!
Why You'll Love This Cream Cheese Pasta
- Ready in 15 minutes. You know those nights when you're too tired to function, let alone come up with a plan for dinner? This is THE recipe for those nights. You really don't need to think and it only uses a handful of ingredients. Cook the pasta, sautee some garlic with chili flakes, then mix everything together with a little pasta cooking water. In just a few moments, the cream cheese sauce will be ready. Dinner is served!
- Rich, creamy sauce. Cream cheese melts like nothing else and the slightly tangy flavor cuts through the richness, keeping it from tasting too heavy. A little garlic and chili flakes add a nice savory flavor, and I love how the Parmesan melts into the sauce for a salty, umami note. So good!
- Easy to adapt. This cream cheese pasta recipe can easily be tweaked by adding different veggies, seasonings, and add-ins. I like to serve it as a simple main dish on busy nights, but it's also a great side dish to use instead of fettuccine alfredo with your favorite proteins. The sky's the limit here!
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Cream Cheese Pasta, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- spaghetti - boil this while you prepare the sauce, and reserve some of the leftover pasta water to thicken the delicious sauce and make it silky smooth.
- extra virgin olive oil
- garlic - minced and sauteed with the red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat.
- chili flakes
- cream cheese - I always recommend full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor.
- Parmesan cheese - freshly grated.
- salt and pepper - to taste
- parsley - optional, for garnish.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a large pot, strainer, small bowl, large skillet, cheese grater, and a serving spoon.
How to Make the Best Cream Cheese Pasta
- Cook pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over medium-high heat. Add spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente according to package directions, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup of the hot pasta water in a small bowl. Drain the noodles and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add minced garlic and chili flakes (optional) and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add cheese. Add ¼ cup reserved pasta water, cream cheese and Parmesan cheese. Gently stir until smooth and bring it to a simmer, about 1-2 minutes.
- Toss. Add cooked spaghetti and toss well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve. Sprinkle with parsley and extra parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm.
Recipe Variations
- Add protein. There are lots of protein options to make this creamy cheese pasta a complete meal. It's wonderful with grilled chicken breast, cooked sausage crumbles, pancetta or cooked bacon, marinated grilled shrimp, sliced steak, etc.
- Load up on veggies. When you add the cream cheese, add some frozen or fresh spinach for a dose of greens. It's also great with artichoke hearts, olives, sun-dried tomatoes or roasted cherry tomatoes, roasted zucchini, and more for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
- Add some tomato sauce. I love pairing cream cheese with tomato sauce! The creamy flavor makes ordinary jarred marinara sauce taste expensive and so hearty.
How to Serve
This Cream Cheese Pasta is delicious served on its own, or paired with some of my favorite pasta sides including:
For more recipes, see our 30 Side Dishes for Pasta.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Salt the water generously. For the best flavor, salt the water until it has a mild saltiness. Italians say the water should be as salty as the sea! It really makes a difference.
- Grate the parmesan yourself. It's easier to buy pre-shredded or grated parmesan, but some shredded cheeses contain additional binders that affect how well the cheese melts. It's worth the elbow grease to grate your own.
- Look for vegetarian parmesan. If you're vegetarian, it's helpful to know that traditional Parmigiano Reggiano is made with animal rennet. Look for regular "parmesan" cheese made with microbial rennet instead.
Storing Instructions
How to Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat
Either microwave the leftover pasta for a few minutes or warm it in a skillet over medium heat. I recommend adding a splash of water to loosen up the sauce and make it glossy again.
FAQ
Yes! Cream cheese is high in fat, very creamy, and melts incredibly well, which makes it perfect for adding to pasta sauce. If you add it with a little parmesan cheese and some of the starchy water from cooking pasta, it will turn into a silky smooth sauce that clings to each noodle. Plus, the tangy flavor is so satisfying and works well with a wide range of add-ins. It's even great added directly to your favorite tomato sauce!
Freezing cooked pasta isn't always a great choice. The pasta becomes thick and soggy after thawing and reheating, and the cream cheese can separate. You can likely get away with it, but I recommend making a fresh batch for the best results.
I always recommend full-fat cream cheese because it is so rich and creamy, but you can use reduced-fat Neufchatel cheese as well. Fat-free cream cheese has a slightly rubbery texture and doesn't melt as well, so I would skip that option.
More Cheesy Pasta Recipes
- 40 Best Pasta Recipes
- Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Spicy Mac and Cheese
- Veggie Pasta
- Skillet Lasagna
- Baked Feta Pasta
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Recipe
Cream Cheese Pasta
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cream Cheese Pasta is simple, creamy, and so delicious. Adding cream cheese is the secret to the creamiest, easiest pasta ever! As the cream cheese melts and infuses into the starchy pasta water, it turns into a glossy sauce that coats each noodle with a rich, tangy flavor. This easy cream cheese pasta is ready in just 15 minutes from start to finish and is about to be your new best friend on those busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- ½ pound (8 ounces) spaghetti, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed chili flakes
- ⅔ cup cream cheese¼ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over medium-high heat. Add spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente according to package directions, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup of the hot pasta water in a small bowl. Drain the noodles and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add minced garlic and chili flakes (optional) and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add ¼ cup reserved pasta water, cream cheese and Parmesan cheese. Gently stir until smooth and bring it to a simmer, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add cooked spaghetti and toss well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle with parsley and extra parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
How to store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to reheat: Either microwave the leftover pasta for a few minutes or warm it in a skillet over medium heat. I recommend adding a splash of water to loosen up the sauce and make it glossy again.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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