Description
Creamy, comforting, and irresistibly easy, this Best Easy Cream Cheese Pasta is your new go-to for a quick dinner or a cozy lunch. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, it’s one of those easy recipes that feels fancy but takes under 30 minutes from start to finish. Whether you’re searching for quick dinner ideas, indulgent comfort food, or an easy pasta recipe for busy weeknights, this creamy pasta dish hits the mark every time. Perfect for breakfast ideas, lunch meal preps, or dinner ideas when you’re out of energy but still craving something satisfying.
Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
4 oz cream cheese, full-fat, block style
2 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the garlic. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add cream cheese (cut into chunks) to the skillet and stir frequently until it begins to melt and blend with the butter and garlic.
4. Pour in the milk slowly, stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until fully melted.
5. Gradually add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
6. Add the drained pasta directly into the sauce and toss until evenly coated.
7. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and more Parmesan before serving.
Notes
Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smoother melting.
Use freshly grated Parmesan, not pre-shredded, for best results.
Don’t skip the reserved pasta water — it’s essential for the perfect sauce texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, creamy pasta, cream cheese pasta, comfort food