10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA
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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!
This was a great receipe easy and quick next time I will add some shrimp to it thank you
Thank you for your comment, Shelly! I love shrimp in this recipe 😍
So good! I used small pasta shells and a block of cream cheese, just added enough pasta water until it looked right. Oh my it was good!
Thank you, Rebecca! I’m so happy you loved it 💛
Oh. My. God. I loved this recipe SO MUCH. It’s so simple but totally one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tried. So soft and creamy, just the right amount of perfect. I added some bacon to it since I’m a huge bacon fan.
Thank you so much for this recipe! I had this pasta both for lunch and for dinner.
Eva, your comment made my day 💛 I’m happy you loved it so much x
Woops! Meant to give that a 5!!
Thanks so much for your 5 stars, Sandi! 💛 I’m so pleased you liked it x
Added ony’s creole seasoning instead of red pepper flakes and shrimp. AAAHHHHHEEEEE turned out pretty good! Thanks for the recipe. Will be a staple on our menu ;D
Oh. My. Goodness. Simply amazing. My only tweak was a bit of butter (because why not?)) Thank you for this lovely, simple recipe that is perfect as is or can be easily switched up with very basic ingredients. What a gift.
I’m so pleased you liked it, and yes, you can add veggies or protein (even butter, if you wish), it only gets better! Thank you for your comment 💛
Wow! So, I made this in a pinch and used what I had on hand—1/3 less fat cream cheese (in the 8oz bar) and I DID use the powdery grated Parmesan from the container (though it was 100% cheese, not one that says “cheese topping”). It was STILL EXCELLENT! I also threw in frozen broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower. We enjoyed this so much! Such a great alternative for a quick Mac and cheese type of meal. When I have more time I want to try it with roasted vegetables. I’m sure it’ll be even better.
I love adding plenty of vegetables too! 😉 I’m so glad you liked it, Angela, and thanks so much for your feedback x
This recipe is outrageously simple and delicious. Honestly, we have made it three times in the last month as that is how much of a hit it is with our family. I love how versatile it is! We have added something different each time, raw arugula, spinach, grilled chicken, roasted tomatoes, asparagus. Tonight it will be mushrooms! Thank you so much for sharing !
I’m so happy you enjoy this recipe regularly, Francesca! Thanks a million for sharing your feedback 🙂 x
What can I add?!! Added Italian sausage and fresh spinach and shredded Italian cheese blend, (in place of just parmesan). I also used the block cream cheese, (it’s what I had!), and it worked well. Soooooooo gooood, even pleased my picky people!
Wow, that sounds so good, Gail 🙂 I’m pleased it was a hit, thank you for your comment! x
Katia, this was absolutely glorious and my Canadian pasta aficionado has just told me it may quite possibly be his new #1 fave. Thanks so much for sharing. 😉 Stand alone it definitely ‘did the do’, but bacon and mushrooms fried in truffle oil with thyme, added to the mix, definitely took it to the next level. I have ‘old school’, printed this recipe and 100% know that it will be on our regular rotation of weekly pasta deliciousness, moving forward.
Thank you, Mel! You mushrooms fried in truffle oil sound utterly delicious, I’m sure it was a big win 🙂 Glad you loved it x
Could I add shrimp, or would it give it a whole different taste?
Hi Esmeralda! Shrimps will add another layer of flavor, but it works well in this recipe: shrimps, creamy sauce, spaghetti… sounds good 😉
I definitely love the recipe! I wanted to try it so bad and fast that I used processed cream cheese I found at home. DO NOT recommend. The brand I used was Puck cream cheese, It tasted horrible!
The second I placed the cream cheese it started producing oils and smelling very strange, literally like melted plastic.
I’m looking forward to trying the recipe once more ,using Philadelphia cream cheese this time. 😅
Thank you for your helpful comment, Ragad! Your right, the brand matters, especially when a recipe requires just a few ingredients, you want they all taste good. I’m sure other readers will check your comment, and avoid that cream cheese 😉 x
Wow, how nice it is to have something so simple be so yummy! Perfect meal for our sunny California evening, I added chopped up mushrooms and a few pieces of bacon and a handful of spinach and cherry tomatoes. I more than doubled the receipt for the two growing men I’ve got to feed. Empty plates makes me happy. Thank you Katia…
I’m so pleased for the empty plates, Tracey! Your comment made my day 🙂
Hit at my home,! Added spinach & bacon…extra parm!
Sounds delicious 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment, Marie! x
This recipe was so easy and just what I was craving!! I used a block of cream cheese and just cut it up on small blocks, mashed it in with the garlic and pasta water!! Was very thick so could’ve used more pasta water. Served over whole wheat thin spaghetti alongside grilled cod fillets (hubs rubbed the cod filets in the garlic before grilling) and steamed broccoli With fresh lemon squeezed over it on the side!! Not a bit left, hubs devoured it! I thought he’s leave me some since I’d took a little to begin with! HAA Won’t make that mistake next time!! Thanks so much for this Fabulously Delicious Recipe!! ???
That sounds delicious and thanks for sharing your feedback, Carolyn! I’ve never tried the blocks of cream cheese, it’s difficult to find them here in the UK, but I’ll add a note to the recipe about the fact that using a block might require more pasta water.
BTW, I love your comment, next time don’t hesitate to get a double portion! 🙂
LOVED THIS!! I didn’t have any fresh parmesan so I opted for shredded Mozzarella. I added in chopped cherry tomatoes as well as beef franks and a dash of oregano (my family hates spicy stuff so no chili flakes). Really great recipe for needing a meal in a pinch!
Wow, the addition of mozzarella and cherry tomatoes sounds utterly delicious, thanks so much for sharing, Camila! x