Description
This Best Easy Cream Cheese Pasta is the ultimate quick comfort food—creamy, garlicky, and full of rich flavor without needing heavy cream or a complicated roux. It’s the kind of meal you can whip up in under 30 minutes with basic ingredients for a satisfying weeknight dinner everyone will love.
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
1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Reduce heat to low and add the cream cheese. Stir continuously until smooth and melted.
4. Slowly add the milk, stirring until the sauce becomes creamy and silky. Adjust thickness with more milk or reserved pasta water as needed.
5. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until evenly coated.
6. Stir in Parmesan cheese (if using), then season with salt and pepper.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Reserve pasta water before draining—it helps adjust sauce consistency perfectly.
Full-fat cream cheese melts best; low-fat works but avoid fat-free versions.
For extra depth, add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or grilled chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: pasta, cream cheese, easy, comfort food