Cream Cheese Pasta

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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 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!

Cream cheese pasta in a serving dish with tongs.

Next time try the Chicken and Bacon Pasta Recipe!

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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 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

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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.

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.

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.

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Cream cheese pasta recipe in pan with serving tongs.

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