10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA
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!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I love everything pasta and my waistline is proof of that.
Of course I will use Philadelphia only the best will do. My mouth is watering as I write this message.
Thanks for posting this recipe.
Hahah thanks so much for your feedback, Frank!
I hope you’ll love the recipe. x
Such a good idea to use cream cheese as a sauce, the only downside is, I can`t stop making it! So easy to make for a quick impressive lunch when friends come round.
Try adding just a tiny bit of blue cheese……mmmm!
Brilliant, thanks for sharing, Gwen! I’m so pleased you loved the recipe – blue cheese sounds super yummy! x
Fantastic recipe! We found it a month or two ago and have already lost count of how many times we’ve made it!
So simple, so cheesy!
Tonight my husband taught our 16 yr old son how to make it.
What a lovely comment, Candy! You’ve made my day, thanks so much for sharing. : )
The step by step instructions are so helpful. Quick and delicious recipe. Great job.
I’m very pleased to hear that, thanks for your feedback, Tejas! x
hi! love your recipes!!
i just started a GERD diet … so difficult to find something to eat! but I funally found your page whi will help me a lot.
I see many recipes include tomatoes or cheese, or other ingredients that are supposed to be banned from the diet and sometimes in rather big dose… how come?
gracias!
HI Beatrice! Glad you like my recipes, but they’re not intended for a GERD diet, so you have to select carefully what is suitable for you and what to avoid. thanks!
I’m in a hotel right now with a little two burner hotplate. all the food I had left was cream cheese and pasta. I had some bacon grease left from this morning. I just dropped a small tub of cream cheese into the pan with salt and pepper and thinned it out to a sauce consistency. absolutely delicious.
Thanks so much for sharing, Kilroy!
I’m so glad this super easy pasta recipe turned out delicious. : )
Easy, quick and delicious! I always make a new recipe exactly as written otherwise I’m not evaluating the author’s recipe but my own. This recipe is perfect for my vegetarian granddaughter and easy enough for her to cook herself. She loved it. I think I will try it next time with Boursin cheese.
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Melody. It’s great to hear you and your granddaughter loved the recipe. Cheers.
Yes boursin is great for adding a little kick!
Made this tonight as a very late dinner and it was delicious! We didn’t have parmesan so I used some aged goat gouda that we had along with some local cream cheese and cherry tomatoes. In addition to the garlic and pepper flakes, I added lemon zest, minced capers, carrot greens (similar to parsley), and white wine, then served anchovies on top. It’s such a great recipe to get creative with!
Brilliant! You know how to play around with your add-ins, that sounds delicious.
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Nadya. : )
I made this as directed, and oh my yummy!
I will try add in next time, most likely shredded chicken, I made it last night for my dinner as hubby works nights n hates cream cheese, I reheated it again tonight, little dry but added touch of water, still have at least 1 serving left. Thank you
You’re very welcome!
So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for your feedback. x
I am a HORRIBLE cook, but my wife needs a break so I’ve started slowly cooking once or twice a week. I need very easy recipes as cooking does not come naturally to me, and this recipe absolutely hit the spot. Easy to make (I added Italian sausage), and our picky-eating kids loved it. Thank you so much!
That’s great, Manny. Thanks so much for sharing this fantastic feedback, I’ve just published it on my newsletter! : )
Have a great week. x
awesome with mushrooms and spinach. my guys are already thinking about the next batch and what we’re adding..
Brilliant! I’m so glad, thanks so much for sharing, Karen. xx
made this. turned out BRILLIANT. thxx so much
Fantastic, I’m so glad you loved it. Thank you! x
I made this last night for The two of us and it was a hit! Creamy and very good. Added some grilled chicken for hubby, please mushrooms and a few spices we like, including lemon. It will be a go to for us.
That’s great to hear, Diane!
Thanks so much for sharing, it’s so much appreciated. x
Thank you for sharing this. It is the most flavourful and definitely the easiest creamy pasta sauce I’ve ever made! Simple = best!! You mentioned not to use fresh pasta… I actually used homemade fettuccine which I cooked al dente before adding to the sauce… and it was seriously divine!
I take back what I said about the fresh pasta! LOL
Many readers used it and loved it, so from now on it’s welcome in this recipe. : )
And thanks so much for sharing your lovely feedback, it’s so much appreciated. x
Got home late, tired and hungry.Found this quick and delicious recipe which the family loved. Thanks for saving dinnertime
What a wonderful feedback, I LOVE it! : )
I’m so glad the family enjoyed it, and thanks so much for sharing. xx
Made this today! It turned out soooo good! i made some chicken to pair alongside it and i actually put the pasta in a pan covered in different cheeses and let it sit in the oven for about 5 minutes uncovered to get it extra cheesy. definitely will be doing this recipe again
That sounds scrumptious, Lyaja. : )
I’m very pleased, and thank you for sharing! x
This dish was great! I used dairy free cream cheese and Parmesan.
Thanks so much for sharing, I appreciate it! : )
I used the cream cheese mixture left over from making jalapeño popper stuffed chicken breasts as well as the chicken and it made an awesome work lunch
That’s fantastic, Debra! Thanks so much for sharing.
Have a great Sunday. x
Made this tonight. so quick and easy. Delicious.
I’m so glad, thanks so much for sharing, Cheryl! x
Made this for an impromptu dinner tonight, adding Italian sausage and cauliflower because that’s what we had – it was delicious and everyone gobbled it up!
That’s great, I’m so happy it turned out delicious!
Thanks for sharing, Megan.
Have a great weekend! x