Description
This Best Easy Cream Cheese Pasta recipe delivers a creamy, comforting pasta dish made with simple ingredients like cream cheese, garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes and perfect for a quick dinner, this recipe features a luscious, silky sauce that coats your favorite pasta perfectly, topped with fresh parsley for a touch of color and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, rotini, or your favorite)
- 4 oz cream cheese (half a standard block)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until it becomes fragrant, taking care not to brown it.
- Melt cream cheese: Reduce the heat to low and add the cream cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and forms a smooth sauce.
- Add milk: Slowly pour in the milk while stirring constantly, allowing the sauce to become creamy and silky. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding more milk or some of the reserved pasta water.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the cream cheese sauce, tossing gently to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Season and finish: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese if using, then season the pasta with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta for a bright, fresh finish. Serve the dish warm.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half or heavy cream for milk for an even richer sauce.
- Reserve pasta water is essential to adjust the sauce consistency without thinning flavors.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor, but pre-grated works in a pinch.
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- To make it vegetarian, ensure the Parmesan cheese is free of animal rennet.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk.
