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    Home » Dinner

    Cream Cheese Pasta

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

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    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
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    5 from 7 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!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ann Marie Crocker

      March 07, 2022 at 11:49 pm

      Very good filling ,add vegetables,or not ,loved garlic bread and Cesar salads !

      Reply
    2. Swathi

      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
    3. Glenda

      August 13, 2020 at 11:07 pm

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

      Reply
    4. Kathy

      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
    5. Catalina

      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
    6. Beth

      August 13, 2020 at 1:57 am

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

      Reply
    7. Laura

      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
    8. Jamie H

      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
    9. Ben

      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
    10. Orlie Perl

      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
    11. Pam Wattenbarger

      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
    12. Jennifer Van Haitsma

      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

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