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!

Next time try the Chicken and Bacon Pasta Recipe!
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ You only need a handful of ingredients and less than 30 minutes to make this easy recipe.
✔️ This creamy pasta dish is family-friendly and great for a busy weeknights.
✔️ 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
- Philadelphia cream cheese
- butter
- garlic cloves
- pasta water
- crushed red pepper flakes or black pepper
- pasta cooking water
- Parmesan cheese

Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- 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.
- Garnish with additional Parmesan and minced parsley or fresh basil.
Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
- large pot or dutch oven
- colander
Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️
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.
Yes, it should melt in about 60 seconds.

Deb's tips
- 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!
- Check the package instructions on your box of pasta, so that you can get the creamy al dente pasta for this creamy sauce.
- I like to use a ladle to pull several cups of the starchy water out before I drain the pasta, that way I don't have to worry about draining it over another pot.
- Use a good quality cream cheese for this rich and easy sauce.
Variations
- If you don't have spaghetti noodles on hand, you can use your favorite pasta shape or whatever you have on hand.
- 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 even saluted 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.
- To make this quick dinner a little more filling, you can add some of your favorite protein. Cooked chicken or or cooked shrimp are a good choice.
Storage
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.

Related recipes
- 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.
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.
Hey if you want to catch all my videos, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel. You'll be notified each time I share a new video!
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
I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.
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
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
Thanks Cindy, your comment made my day! I appreciate your support of the blog!