Description
This delicious 10-minute cream cheese pasta recipe is perfect for busy days when you want a quick, creamy, and comforting meal. Using simple ingredients like cream cheese, garlic, and olive oil, it creates a smooth sauce that coats your favorite pasta, ready in just minutes with optional flavorful toppings to customize.
Ingredients
Scale
Core Ingredients
- 7 oz (200g) pasta (spaghetti or your favorite type)
- 3.5 oz (100g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced or grated
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (120ml) pasta cooking water (reserved)
Optional Toppings
- Grated parmesan or pecorino cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Red pepper flakes for spice
- Sautéed mushrooms, peas, or spinach for added flavor and nutrition
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta carefully.
- Sauté Garlic: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely minced or grated garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, but not browned.
- Melt Cream Cheese: Reduce the heat to low, then add the cream cheese to the skillet. Stir gently until it starts melting to form the base for the sauce.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Slowly pour in the reserved pasta water while stirring continuously to create a smooth and creamy sauce that will coat the pasta beautifully.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat all strands evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Season: Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot with optional toppings such as grated parmesan or pecorino cheese, fresh herbs like parsley or basil, red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, or sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, peas, or spinach for extra nutrition.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easier melting and smoother sauce.
- Reserve the pasta water carefully; it’s key to achieving the perfect creamy texture for the sauce.
- Avoid overheating the cream cheese to prevent clumping or separating.
- Feel free to customize with your favorite fresh herbs or vegetables to boost flavor and nutrition.
