Description
Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a quick, creamy pasta dish made with garlic, cream cheese, and parmesan—perfect for cozy weeknights and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1/2 lb (225 grams) pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli…)
3/4 cup (160 grams) cream cheese*
1/4 cup (30 grams) grated parmesan, plus more to serve
1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more to serve
1-2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1/2 cup (120 ml) cooking water, plus more if needed
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4–1/2 tsp chili flakes, or according to taste (optional)
Instructions
1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
2. Right before draining, reserve a cup of starchy pasta water.
3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, warm 1 Tbsp of olive oil and gently fry the garlic (plus chili flakes if using) for 2–3 minutes on low heat without burning.
4. Stir in the cream cheese and about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Stir to create a creamy emulsion.
5. Add parmesan cheese and mix until melted and smooth.
6. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Toss well to coat in the sauce.
7. Add more pasta water if needed to reach a creamy consistency.
8. Serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil, extra parmesan, and freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
You can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone or a dairy-free alternative.
Chili flakes add a gentle kick—skip them if you prefer a milder flavor.
This recipe works well with spaghetti, fusilli, or penne.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian