Food Lovin Family

Everyday, quick and easy recipes the family will love. Using products like cake mixes, air fryers, slow cooker, meal planning and more to make cooking easier.

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
      • Salad
      • Sides
    • Drinks
    • Sweets
      • Cake
      • Cookies
  • Travel
Home » Dinner » Cream Cheese Pasta

Cream Cheese Pasta

Published: Aug 12, 2020 · Modified: Nov 11, 2020 by heather · This post may contain affiliate links

130shares
  • Facebook
Jump to Recipe

This Cream Cheese Pasta is a quick, easy meal that can be made in 20 minutes. Wonderful as a side or main meal. 

If you like easy pasta recipes, be sure to try buttered noodles, garlic butter sauce pasta and green pasta sauce. 

Pasta on plate with cream cheese sauce and bacon bits

I am all about a delicious, easy dinner. Most week nights I try to make something that will take me less than 30 minute because we are all busy.

This cream cheese pasta recipe has become part of our menu rotation because it can be made quickly and of course is super tasty. This creamy sauce is similar to Alfredo sauce and perfect over any pasta, even zoodles. 

Why we love this cream cheese pasta sauce

  • Easy: 5 ingredients, under 20 minutes.
  • Delicious: This meal is perfect for even the picky eaters. Pasta with cheese sauce is always a hit with the family.
  • Versatile: Can be used as a base with protein or vegetables or served by itself.

Ingredients needed

Pasta – Use your favorite pasta or gluten-free pasta. I typically use fettuccine or spaghetti. 

Cream cheese – Use full fat cream cheese for this dish. Make sure to cut into cubes before adding to the mixture so that it will melt faster. 

Parmesan cheese – Use shredded or grated Parmesan. 

Butter – Unsalted, sweet cream butter. 

Garlic powder – This adds a hint of garlic flavor. Feel free to reduce the amount for less garlic flavor. 

Salt and Pepper to season

How to make cream cheese pasta sauce

Scroll to the bottom for full, printable recipe, ingredients and video. 

  1. Pasta: Boil and cook pasta according to package. Before draining water, take out 1/2 cup of pasta water and set aside. 
  2. Sauce: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add in garlic powder and stir to combine. Pour in reserved pasta water, cream cheese and Parmesan cheese. Stir until cream cheese is melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper. 
  3. Toss: Toss cooked pasta with sauce and serve. Optional top with crumbled bacon and parsley.

Butter, garlic powder, pasta water, cream cheese, Parmesan

How to store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Place pasta back in a large saucepan or skillet and warm over medium heat. 

Recipe tips 

  • If you prefer your sauce a little thinner, add a little extra pasta water to the sauce.
  • If you are making this dish for 1-2 people, cut ingredients by half. 

Can you freeze cream cheese?

Yes, you can freeze unopened cream cheese in it’s original packaging. It will last 2-3 months in the freezer. 

To thaw, place in the refrigerator for about 24 hours. Be aware that the consistency to change after thawed out. 

Pasta in large skillet

How to serve cream cheese pasta

This makes a great side dish or even as a main meal. We love topping it with a protein like crumbled bacon, chicken, shrimp or mixed vegetables. I also love serving with a piece of garlic Texas toast. 

More pasta recipes

  • Baked ravioli – Easy baked ravioli is made with pasta, sauce and cheese. 
  • Baked mostaccioli – A family favorite. 
  • Instant pot chicken pesto pasta – Can be made quickly in the pressure cooker. 

***If you made this recipe, please feel free to leave a comment and star rating below. 

Pasta with cream sauce on a plate
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Cream Cheese Pasta

Easy to make, delicious cream cheese pasta.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pasta
Servings: 6
Calories: 133kcal
Author: Heather

Ingredients

  • 1 16 oz package fettuccini or spaghetti
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup pasta water (extra 1/4 cup for thinner sauce)
  • 1 8 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional

  • 1/4 cup bacon bits
  • 1/8 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta but reserve 3/4 cup pasta water once finished cooking.
  • In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in garlic powder. Add in 1/2 cup pasta water, cream cheese and Parmesan cheese. Whisk until cream cheese has melted.
  • ***If you would like the sauce thinned out, add in extra 1/4 cup pasta water.
  • Season with salt and pepper and toss sauce with cooked pasta.
  • Serve warm. Optional top with crumbled bacon and parsley.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 457mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Follow me @foodlovinfamily or tag #foodlovinfamily!
130shares
  • Facebook

Related

Filed Under: Dinner

« Air Fryer Apple Chips
Midori Sour »

Comments

  1. Swathi says

    August 14, 2020 at 11:48 pm

    5 stars
    Cream cheese pasta looks delicious I need to give this one try creamy and perfect meal.

    Reply
  2. Glenda says

    August 13, 2020 at 11:07 pm

    5 stars
    Yummy! We love eating all sorts of pasta dishes. This one looks so delicious.

    Reply
  3. Kathy says

    August 13, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    This looks really delicious. I bet my family would love it. My daughters really love their pasta. This is something I must try for them.

    Reply
  4. Catalina says

    August 13, 2020 at 7:10 am

    5 stars
    Pasta is always a favorite in our house! I need to try this recipe soon!

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    August 13, 2020 at 1:57 am

    5 stars
    This looks like a delicious and easy recipe! My family will love it.

    Reply
  6. Laura says

    August 13, 2020 at 12:57 am

    THis recipe sounds amazing! It seems similar to Alfredo. We just had fettuccine alfredo for dinner tonight. I will have to save this recipe and give it a try!

    Reply
  7. Jamie H says

    August 12, 2020 at 9:15 pm

    Easy recipes like this are such a lifesaver for me! I can’t wait to try it! It sounds simple and fast, but delicious!

    Reply
  8. Ben says

    August 12, 2020 at 5:15 pm

    5 stars
    That sounds FULLY awesome! Any time you add cream cheese to anything, I am immediately all in.

    Reply
  9. Orlie Perl says

    August 12, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    This sounds so good! I can’t wait to try this recipe, I’m sure the cream cheese makes the pasta super creamy

    Reply
  10. Pam Wattenbarger says

    August 12, 2020 at 3:53 pm

    This looks so good. Cream cheese +pasta are two of my favorite ingredients! I like how easy it is to prepare too.

    Reply
  11. Jennifer Van Haitsma says

    August 12, 2020 at 3:04 pm

    This looks so good. I love all things pasta these days. I will have to try this!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




About Me

Hello and thank you for visiting Food Lovin' Family! With 3 kids I know it can be hard getting food on the table. Here you will find easy and delicious recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Read More…

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Favorite Recipes

Bow with tartar sauce and fish sticks

Tartar Sauce Recipe

Cheesy Bacon Spinach Artichoke Dip

Pretzels in a blue bowl.

Ranch Pretzels

Dip with chip in the dip

Cucumber Avocado Dip

Bowl of pumpkin dip pin

Pumpkin Dip

Pimento Cheese Ball

© 2018 Food Lovin Family
 · Privacy Policy