This Cream Cheese Pasta is such a delicious and comforting meal! It's creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor. The pasta is cooked al dente to have the perfect texture for the creamy sauce.
This creamy pasta dish is perfect for busy weeknights and can be on the table in minutes!
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What makes this recipe irresistible
It takes only about 20 minutes to make which makes it perfect for those days when you are short on time! Because the flavors are mild, there are a bevy of yummy veggies you can add to this family-friendly dish!
It's super affordable and delicious!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- Spaghetti noodles - If you don't have spaghetti noodles on hand, you can use your favorite pasta shape or whatever you have on hand.
- Philadelphia cream cheese
- butter
- garlic cloves
- pasta water
- crushed red pepper flakes or black pepper
- pasta cooking water
- Parmesan cheese
Creative variations to try
- You can adjust the spice level by leaving out the red pepper flakes, or using a good pinch for more heat.
- Want to add some extra vegetables to this cheesy sauce? Stir in some fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or sauteed asparagus, mushrooms or bell peppers.
- For additional flavor in the delicious sauce, add in garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or even a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- You can add some of your favorite protein to make this quick dinner a little more filling. Cooked chicken or shrimp are great choices. Smoked salmon or ham would be fabulous!
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Cook the pasta to al dente and drain, reserving one cup of pasta water.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for about a minute. Add the cream cheese and whisk until smooth.
- Continue to whisk until smooth and silky adding half parmesan cheese and pasta water; reduce heat to low..
- Add the pasta to the skillet and mix with the sauce, adding additional pasta water as needed. The pasta should be saucy and loose.
- Garnish with additional Parmesan and minced parsley or fresh basil.
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Essential tools for this recipe
- large pot or dutch oven
- colander
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Pasta water added to a sauce, can help it thicken and cling to the pasta.
For this recipe, I recommend that you use the block cream cheese instead of the whipped cream cheese. When it's room temperature, it easily melts.
Deb's tips for the perfect dish
Don't be stingy with the starchy pasta water. Add a little at a time until the sauce, when mixed with the pasta, is good and saucy! If it's dry or stiff, add more pasta water.
- Use a good quality cream cheese for this rich and easy sauce.
How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up 3-4 days.
Freezer - I don't recommend freezing this dish because the dairy can separate when thawed.
Reheat - Reheat on the stovetop in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat until warm, or microwave single servings for 1-2 minutes or until warm.
More recipes you'll love
- You only need simple ingredients to make this Sausage Peppers and Onions Pasta recipe. It's creamy, comforting, and bursting with flavor, your family will love it.
- Chicken and Bacon Pasta is one of my favorite creamy pasta recipes to make when I need a filing meal that even the picky eaters will love.
- This Lemon Garlic Pasta is an easy dinner to make when you want something light and refreshing that doesn't take a lot of effort.
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- I love to serve an easy pasta dish like this one with a simple green salad like this Outback Wedge Salad. It's fresh, healthy, and always a crowd pleaser with the whole family.
- If you ask me, you can have an easy cream cheese pasta recipe like this one without a side of garlic bread and this Air Fryer Garlic Bread is crispy on the outside and soft in the middle making it the perfect side dish to serve with this meal.
- This Chocolate Hershey's Pie is sweet, creamy and perfectly rich. It's a great sweet treat to enjoy when you want a simple dessert to enjoy after a hearty meal.
If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Cream Cheese Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup pasta water reserved
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add pasta and cook until al dente and drain, reserving one cup of pasta water.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for about a minute. Then add cream cheese and whisk until smooth.
- Add half the Parmesan cheese and ½ cup of pasta water. Continue to whisk until smooth and silky, reduce heat to low..
- Add the pasta to the skillet and mix with the sauce, adding additional pasta water as needed. The pasta should be saucy and loose. If it's too thick, add a splash more of pasta water as needed until it's the consistency you're looking for.
- Top with additional Parmesan, and minced parsley or basil.
- Serve and enjoy!
cindy payan says
Your details of the recipe are sooo simple. Thank you for your patience in explaining them. I'm retired & I want to now cook more for my grown family. They are career people, so I hve the time to surprise them with your recipes meals. God Bless you. 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Cindy, your comment made my day! I appreciate your support of the blog!