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Home » Recipes » Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Linguini, Angel Hair Pasta

Cream Cheese Pasta

Published: May 4, 2023 · Modified: May 18, 2023 by Bowl Me Over · 2 Comments

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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 so that it has the perfect texture to stand up to the creamy sauce. This creamy pasta dish is perfect for busy weeknights and can be on the table in a matter of minutes. 

Next time try the Chicken and Bacon Pasta Recipe!

Cream cheese pasta in a serving dish with tongs.
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe   
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions 
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Deb's tips
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Related recipes
  • Serve with
  • Cream Cheese Pasta Recipe

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 weeknight dinner. 

✔️ It's a great way to get your family around the dinner time without spending a ton of the time in the kitchen. 

Ingredients to make spaghetti recipe, with print overlay.

Ingredients

Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements. 

  • spaghetti noodles
  • cream cheese
  • butter
  • garlic cloves
  • pasta water
  • crushed red pepper flakes
  • Parmesan cheese
Step-by-step instructions to make pasta recipe with print overlay.

Instructions 

This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
  2. Add pasta and cook until al dente and drain, reserving one cup of pasta water.
  3. 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.
  4. Add half the Parmesan cheese and ½ cup of pasta water. Continue to whisk until smooth and silky, reduce heat to low..
  5. 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.
  6. Garnish with additional Parmesan, and minced parsley or fresh basil.

Equipment

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  • large pot or dutch oven
  • colander

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FAQ's

What does pasta water do to pasta dishes? 

Pasta water added to a sauce, can help it thicken and cling to the pasta. 

Should I use a block of cream cheese or the tub cream cheese? 

For this recipe, I recommend that you use the block cream cheese instead of the whipped cream cheese.

Does cream cheese melt?

​Yes, it should melt in about 60 seconds. 

Bowls of pasta with bread on the side.

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. 

A large pan filled with cheesy pasta with a serving spoon.

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 in pan with serving tongs.
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Cream Cheese Pasta Recipe

This easy recipe is a simple dinner that will become your go-to for busy weeknight meals!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 486kcal
Author: Deb Clark
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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!

Nutrition

Calories: 486kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 985IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 147mg | Iron: 1mg
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About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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Comments

  1. cindy payan

    May 05, 2023 at 7:12 am

    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. 🙂

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      May 05, 2023 at 9:09 am

      Thanks Cindy, your comment made my day! I appreciate your support of the blog!

      Reply

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