This easy Cream Cheese Pasta is similar to a classic alfredo… But better! Softened cream cheese melts with hot pasta water into a silky sauce, then it’s mixed with parmesan to give it the best cheesy, salty kick. Throw in a handful of bold seasonings, and you’ve got your new favorite comfort food!
Cream Cheese Pasta
You can almost always find a block of cream cheese in my fridge for recipes just like this! It saves me on random weeknights more often than I care to admit. In this recipe, the cream cheese softens and melts with hot pasta water and freshly grated parmesan cheese that clings to your pasta and really hits the spot. I like to dress it up with red pepper flakes, cajun seasoning, dried herbs, and more. Serve this pasta next to something like a baked chicken breast and enjoy!
Check out more of my favorite meatless pasta dinner recipes like creamy mushroom pasta, cheesy tomato garlic pasta, and pasta with peas.
Why do I need to reserve the pasta water?
Don’t forget to save at least 1 cup of the pasta water before draining! Starchy pasta water is imperative in recipes like this. It helps the sauce cling to the pasta, and it gives it the best luscious, glossy consistency while also thinning it out.
How to Make Cream Cheese Pasta
- Cook the pasta. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
- Save the pasta water! Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
- Add the cream cheese and spices. Add the cream cheese, cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes.
- Thin the sauce. Stir while gradually adding the reserved pasta water until a smooth sauce forms.
- Add cheese. Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted and combined, adding more pasta water if needed.
- Enjoy! Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, before serving with freshly minced parsley for garnish if desired.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover cream cheese pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, zap for just 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time it stops, until warmed all the way through. You may want to add a splash of milk, broth, or just water to help rejuvenate the sauce. It’ll dry out a bit after being kept in the fridge.
Ingredient Notes
- Spaghetti – This is my favorite pasta to use for this sauce, but you can use whatever you want. Don’t overcook it!
- Cream Cheese – Let it sit on your counter and adjust to room temperature before using. You can also cut it into small cubes so it melts down quicker.
- Seasonings – My favorite blend to use for this simple pasta recipe is cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil. Add some red pepper flakes too if you want some spice!
- Parmesan – It needs to be freshly grated right off the block. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking powder that wil prevent it from melting down with the other ingredients. For the silkiest sauce, only ever use fresh cheese!
Variations to Try
- Add spinach. Stir in a few handfuls of baby spinach while the pasta is hot. It wilts quickly and blends right into the sauce.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes. Chopped sun-dried tomatoes bring a vibrant and savory pop to the creamy pasta. Add them when you stir in the parmesan!
- Make it lemony. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end. It brightens the cream cheese sauce beautifully.
Enjoy!
~Nichole
Cream Cheese Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Spaghetti pasta
- 8 Ounces Cream cheese softened
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp Dried basil
- 1/4-1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1 Cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
- Add the cream cheese, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes.
- Stir while gradually adding the reserved pasta water until a smooth sauce forms to coat the pasta.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted and combined, adding more pasta water if needed.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, before serving with freshly minced parsley for garnish if desired.
Notes
This cream cheese pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
