This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more details.
Delicious cozy cream cheese pasta ready in 10 minutes, anyone? This super easy and cheap pasta recipe makes the perfect midweek last-minute meal.
Comfy and filling, It comes together in a flash, it costs about $ 1.20 per serving and the whole family will love it!
The cream cheese sauce is embarrassingly easy to make, but it turns your plain pasta dish into something good.
Mix garlic-infused olive oil, creamy cheese, savory parmesan, and delicious spaghetti. Then add freshly ground pepper or a good pinch of chili flakes, and an extra drizzle of olive oil to boost the flavor!
This was one of my go-to recipes when I was at uni, and it was so popular with my flatmates!
Easy peasy, but totally satisfying and perfect for your carb cravings, especially when you run out of time or money.
Good things don’t get much easier than this!
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS RECIPE
- Whole grain or regular pasta
- Cream cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Chili flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper
HOW TO MAKE CREAM CHEESE PASTA?
(Full recipe at the bottom of the page)
- Cook your pasta until al dente
- Saute’ garlic in olive oil until fragrant
- Add cream cheese, pasta cooking water, parmesan, and stir well
- Drain and add pasta to the skillet
- Toss until well combined, adding some pasta water if needed
- Serve with extra parmesan cheese, black pepper and a good drizzle of olive oil.
- Enjoy!
RECIPE NOTES & QUESTIONS
This cream cheese pasta couldn’t be easier and cheaper: you need only and a few basic ingredients, 10 minutes of prep time, and approximately $1.20 per servings.
Plus, this is a delicious bowl of whole-grain spaghetti tossed in a cream cheese sauce and drizzled with olive oil.
It’s a homemade pasta dish, not canned sauces or canned noodles!
IS PASTA HEALTHY?
YES. Pasta is definitely part of a healthy diet, as long as it’s eaten in moderation.
And If you switch to whole-grain pasta you’ll get more natural fiber and micronutrients than white pasta.
I love whole grain pasta, and I try to sneak into my meals as much fiber as I can.
HOW TO MAKE THIS CREAM CHEESE PASTA TASTE SO GOOD?
First things first, ingredients matter.
Pasta
I’m Italian and, needless to say, I grew up eating pasta and I take the whole thing quite seriously ; ).
First things first, pasta brand matters, and when you chose pasta, have a proper look at the label and go for durum wheat semolina pasta, possibly made with brass or bronze dies.
Spaghetti or another short type of pasta like fusilli or penne work very well, but please: cook it until al dente!
Cheese
Yes, cheese helps! Good cream cheese mixed with some savory parmesan makes a delicious and quick sauce for your pasta. It’s also important to save some of pasta cooking water which is full of starch and contributes to the creaminess of the final sauce.
Flavor
Gently saute garlic in olive oil over a low flame, so the flavor of the garlic has a chance to infuse the oil.
If you’re not feeding children, I would suggest adding a good pinch of chili flakes for a little extra kick. And serve with good olive oil or extra virgin olive oil and freshly ground black pepper!
CAN I ADD OTHER INGREDIENTS?
YES, feel free to customize! This is a terrific versatile pasta recipe, which means that you can add your vegetables or protein of choice.
You can add whatever sauteed or roasted veggies such as:
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Asparagus
- Zucchini
- Peppers
- Peas
Or you simply can add fresh raw ingredients that work so well alongside the cheesy pasta and make a lovely and balanced meal:
- Arugula
- Basil
- Cherry tomatoes
If you fancy a not vegetarian option, you can add:
- Ham
- Grilled chicken breast
- Grilled or smoked salmon
- Prawns
- Bacon
- Sausage
Sometimes, I add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and artichokes for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
Yes, the sky is the limit!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS CREAM CHEESE PASTA?
You can make a super fast and refreshing vegan salad like an Italian tomato and cucumber salad or a protein-packed Mediterranean tomato, bean and tuna salad.
If you enjoy this super quick yummy cream cheese pasta, be sure to check these 10-minute pasta recipes:
- raw cherry tomato pasta,
- pasta salad with tuna
- spaghetti with garlic and olive oil
- spinach and ricotta spaghetti
If you make this recipe or if you have a question, let me know! Leave a comment or rate it : )
I would love to hear from you! x
10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb (225 grams) pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli...)
- 3/4 cup (160 grams) cream cheese*
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) grated parmesan, plus more to serve
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more to serve
- 1-2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) cooking water, plus more if needed
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4-1/2 tsp chili flakes, or according to taste (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Right before draining, reserve a cup of starchy pasta water.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet warm 1 Tbsp of olive oil and gently fry the garlic (plus a good pinch of chili flakes if you like) for 2-3 minutes. Use a low flame, do not let the garlic burn.
- Then stir the cream cheese and about 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water. Stir to combine oil, cream cheese, water and create a nice and creamy emulsion. Add parmesan cheese and stir well. Your pasta sauce is ready.
- Drain and add your pasta to the skillet. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta in the sauce, add more cooking water as needed for a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Serve immediately with a drizzle of good olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, freshly grated parmesan, and freshly ground black pepper (if you don't use chili flakes). Enjoy!
Emily
Really hit the spot this evening. Only deviation from original recipe is I cooked bacon prior to making the sauce, and used the leftover fat in the pan to cook the garlic instead of olive oil. Not a healthy substitution, by any means but soooo good. Thanks for the recipe!
Katia
Hi Emily, thanks for taking the time to share your lovely feedback… I’m so pleased it was so good!
Cheers x
Linda
It’s really great! I am munching on it right now 🙂
Katia
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it, Linda! Thanks for sharing your feedback. Cheers x
Nina
This is a very great and simple recipe for a beginner like myself. But, I do have a few questions regarding ingredient substitutes. What type of cheese can I use instead of Parmesan cheese? And will it taste different if I decided to use milk instead of cream cheese? Thank you for taking your time sharing new knowledge to a stranger! x
Katia
Hi Nina! You might use Grana Padano instead of Parmesan cheese (it’s another Italian hard cheese, cheaper than parmesan, but it works well in the recipe).
Either Parmesan or Grana padano add savory flavor, use one of these ingredients if you can, otherwise skip the parmesan altogether.
But you can’t use milk instead of cream cheese though, because you need that amount of fat and flavor that gives you a rich and creamy pasta sauce. Milk doesn’t work, it doesn’t have enough flavor and fat.
Hope this help, and enjoy! x
Elizabeth
Easy, tasty and versatile – win! And I love that this doesn’t require milk, which I rarely have on hand. Made it with sauteed white mushrooms and topped with smoked salmon. Delish! I under-cooked the garlic a bit (for fear of burning it), but it was still tasty and, as my honey pointed out, we are now definitely safe from any vampires that might be in the neighborhood.
Katia
I’m so glad to hear it was a hit (and you guys were safe from vampires too LOL). Thanks so much for sharing your lovely comment, Elizabeth! x
Taylor
I made This for dinner and it’s so good! I used Philadelphia garden vegetable cream cheese instead. It’s so creamy and tasty!
Katia
Thanks for your lovely feedback, Taylor! I’m so pleased you enjoyed it. Katia x
Kathy
So good! I used half whole wheat spaghetti and half butternut squash noodles. I sautéed the butternut noodles with the garlic and pepper flakes while the pasta was cooking, then pulled it out of the pan once it was al dente. Then I proceeded with the rest of the recipe. I also had some cooked, turkey Italian sausage that I heated and threw on top. I used Philadelphia reduced fat (Neufchâtel) cream cheese. It turned out great!
Katia
That sounds delicious, Kathy! Thanks for taking the time to share your lovely feedback.
Cheers x
Charlene
I love a quick and easy dinner. Being delicious is a bonus. This took no time at all. I did add mushrooms. Next time, I’ll add some Italian sausage.
Katia
I’m so glad you loved it, Charlene! Thanks a million for your lovely feedback.
Cheers x