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!
Thank you Katia that was so enjoyable.. I had some Bolognese sauce in the freezer so I spooned a little over the top of my Pasta it just took it to another level yummm
I’m so pleased to hear that, Carol! Thanks so much for your lovely comment.
Cheers x
This is a delicious, fast and wonderful recipe. In fact I am going to have this tonight. May I suggestion to those of us who use canned Parmesan cheese *melt the canned Parmesan cheese in butter* first, then incorporate it with the rest of your recipe. Sometimes you just can’t afford the really great cheese. I know I can’t. Enjoy.
Thanks for sharing your lovely feedback and clever tip, Gayle! Have a great Sunday, cheers. x
Just made it. Super easy and fast. I added Italian sausage and substituted penne. The garlic with Philadelphia cheese is killer.
Thanks for sharing your lovely feedback, Elizabeth! I agree, garlic and Philadelphia is a yummy combination. 😉
This was a flavorful and quick meal! I made it just as suggested and it was great!
Thanks so much for sharing your lovely feedback, Suzy! 🤩 I’m so pleased it turned out great. x
Can I substitute mozzarella for the Parmesan
Hi Kay, parmesan and mozzarella are very different in texture and flavor. Parmesan adds savouriness, mozzarella doesn’t. You can skip the parmesan if you wish, but the cream cheese will be a bit bland, make sure you adjust the seasoning according to your taste. x
thanks… loved this recipe for 3 reasons. First it was easy and I had ingredients on hand. Second, it’s hard to find recipes that are easy, that you like and fit the lifestyle of 1 person. It made 2 meals for me and I did not have to worry about a lot of leftovers to keep, freeze or give to neighbors…Although they enjoy my extras.. lol…I also add something new each time i cook it.. chicken, shrimp, vegies… Just a few minutes for a different meal , great for small budget and single person..
Thanks for taking the time to share your lovely feedback, Bonnie! You enjoyed it and it made your life easier too, I’m so glad to hear that. 💛
I made this for about 7 people so I doubled the recipe. I couldn’t flipping find chili flakes, so I used crushed red pepper. This sauce is fabulous and so so easy to do!!!! I kept adding the pasta water to get to the consistency I needed but it did not detract from the fabulousness of this! I really like the fact that it uses ingredients I have typically on hand, as opposed to home made alfredo sauce. I did use garlic flavored olive oil (from Costco) to amp up the flavor. And i fresh grated my parm (made one of the crotch goblins do that! LOL) S damn delicious! Def a keeper!
Thanks for sharing your lovely feedback, Tracy! Chili flakes and crushed red pepper are the same thing, I’m glad you didn’t skip this ingredient and it turned out damn delicious. 😊💛
Great! I’m not so good at cooking but this was a lot of fun and relatively idiot proof.
Brilliant, I’m glad it was great and SO easy! 😉 Thanks for sharing your lovely feedback.x
Thanks For Sharing this Amazing Recipe. My Family Loved It. I will be sharing this Recipe with my Friends. Hope They will like it.
You’re so welcome, Hema! I’m very pleased your family loved it 🥰
Best meal ever!!!
Glad you liked it 😊
looks wonderful. could you use salmon flavored cream cheese with smoked salmon?
I’ve never tried it to be honest, but I guess it works 😊 please, let me know how it turns out x
This was absolutely delicious. I found your recipe when googling what to do with leftover cream cheese, I had never thought to use it is pasta. So rich and comforting with the right amount of heat (I added chilli flakes). Thank you!
I’m so pleased, Sarah! 😍 Thanks for sharing your feedback x
This is so simple to make and delicious I have made it twice this time I used shrimp thank you for the recipe
You’re so welcome, Shelly! Thanks for taking the time to share your lovely feedback x
I have made this recipe a handful of times! This started as an I’m bored at home during lock down and “Oh hey! I already have all the ingredients for this!” type of recipe. I never thought some random pinterest recipe would turn into my mom asking me to make this almost constantly to the point of no!!! I don’t want to cook you make it here’s the recipe!!! Now I’m craving it again and I’m thinking of adding sun-dried tomatoes….Not sure how it will turn out though…..
Oh Nikki, you’ve made my made! 😂 I’m so happy both you and your mom love this recipe so much, and your comment is absolutely brilliant. Thank you 💛
Was really good. I added shrimp-yum. For seasoning, I added Old Bay to taste. Also to thin the sauce out, I used half and half. To warm as leftovers, I will use half and half. I plan to try it with sausage soon. My family loved it!
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Norma! I’m so pleased your family loved it 😍