10-Minute Cream Cheese Pasta
This creamy, cozy, and flavorful pasta is your go-to for a quick and satisfying meal. Made with just a handful of ingredients and ready in minutes, it’s perfect for busy nights when comfort food is calling. Cream cheese creates a velvety sauce that clings perfectly to pasta, while garlic and parmesan add depth. Easy, affordable, and incredibly delicious!
Servings: 3
Calories: 420kcal
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb 225 grams pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli, or any shape)
- 3/4 cup 160 grams cream cheese (Philadelphia or similar)
- 1/4 cup 30 grams grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
- 1 tablespoon olive oil plus more to serve
- 1 –2 garlic cloves minced or pressed
- 1/2 cup 120 ml pasta cooking water, plus more if needed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 –1/2 teaspoon chili flakes optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add the garlic and chili flakes (if using), cooking gently for 2–3 minutes without browning the garlic.
- Add the cream cheese and 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Mix in the parmesan cheese until the sauce is fully combined and velvety.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Toss well to coat in the sauce, adding more pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately with an extra drizzle of olive oil, more parmesan, and freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
Makes 2 large or 3 smaller servings.
Use tub-style cream cheese for the best texture.
Pasta water adds salt—taste before adding more.
Dried pasta holds up best in this recipe.
Grate parmesan fresh to avoid a grainy sauce.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat with a splash of water—short pasta shapes reheat more evenly.