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This quick and easy Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a comforting pasta dinner that the whole family will love! It’s cheesy, creamy and downright delicious.
Meet this mom’s quick-fix spaghetti dinner! This cream cheese spaghetti dish is an easy pasta recipe that never gets old. It’s the perfect inexpensive meal to add to your weekly dinner rotation.
Why We Love Spaghetti With Cream Cheese
- Quick Preparation: Ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy families.
- Simple Ingredients: Requires only 7 ingredients, making it easy and accessible.
- Versatile: Great with added vegetables or meat, appealing to both kids and adults.
- Comfort Food: Cheesy and satisfying, sure to lift your mood with every bite.
Recipe Ingredients
- Dry Spaghetti: This can be substituted with any other pasta type like fettuccine, penne, or gluten-free pasta options.
- Olive Oil: Other cooking oils like avocado oil or vegetable oil can be used.
- Fresh Garlic: Garlic powder or jarred minced garlic are good alternatives.
- Cream Cheese: Neufchâtel cheese can be used for similar creaminess. Cut the cream cheese into cubes to make a creamy, smooth sauce.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Other hard, grated cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Asiago can substitute.
- Garnish: If desired, garnish your spaghetti with parsley and cracked black pepper.
How to Make Cream Cheese Spaghetti
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Do not drain it yet.
- Cook the Garlic and Cheese: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic to the oil and cook for 20 seconds. Add cream cheese to the skillet and ½ cup of the cooking pasta water. Whisk the cream cheese and water until well combined.
- Add Cheese & Seasonings: Whisk in the parmesan cheese; taste for salt and pepper and adjust accordingly. If needed, add more water to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Drain: Drain the spaghetti and then return it back to the cooking pot.
- Add Sauce: Add the cream cheese sauce to the spaghetti; stir until combined.
- Garnish & Serve: Garnish with a crack of black pepper and chopped parsley, if desired.
Recipe Tips
- Watch the Garlic: Garlic should only take about 20 seconds to sauté. Watch it closely to make sure it doesn’t burn.
- Adjust Sauce to Taste: Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper until you’re satisfied with the flavor.
- Use Pasta Water: Make sure you use the pasta water to make your sauce instead of just regular water. This will give your sauce the best flavor and help it stick to the spaghetti. Also, add more pasta water as needed if you want a thinner sauce.
- Cut Cream Cheese into Cubes: If you cut your cream cheese into smaller pieces, you’ll have an easier time incorporating it into the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This pasta would taste great with Swedish meatballs or grilled shrimp. Everyone loves to pair this spaghetti dinner with my Easy Garlic Bread Bruschetta. You could also top it with crispy oven baked bacon to add a savory crunch.
How to Store Leftovers
- Store leftover spaghetti in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
- When reheating your pasta, I recommend adding a little bit of water to keep the sauce nice and creamy.
Quick Cream Cheese Spaghetti
This quick Cream Cheese Spaghetti offers a comforting, cheesy, and creamy pasta dinner that's downright delicious!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dry spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic,, minced
- 8 ounces cream cheese,, room temperature, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ⅔ cup cooking water,, plus more if needed
- salt and fresh ground pepper,, to taste
- cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes, and/or chopped fresh parsley,, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Do not drain it yet.
- In the meantime, heat olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat.
- Add garlic to the oil and cook for 20 to 30 seconds or until fragrant. Do not burn the garlic.
- Increase heat to medium-high; add cream cheese to the skillet and ⅔ cup of the cooking pasta water.
- Whisk the cream cheese and water until well combined.
- Whisk in the parmesan cheese; taste for salt and pepper and adjust accordingly. If needed, add more water to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Drain the spaghetti and return the spaghetti back to the cooking pot.
- Add the cream cheese sauce to the spaghetti; stir until combined.
- Garnish with black pepper, red pepper flakes, and/or chopped parsley.
- Serve and enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
- Pasta Water: To enhance the sauce’s flavor and adherence to the spaghetti, incorporate pasta water instead of plain water. You can also adjust the sauce’s consistency to your liking by adding more pasta water to thin out the sauce.
- Cube the Cream Cheese: Cutting the cream cheese into smaller cubes helps to achieve a creamy, lump-free sauce.
- Store Leftovers: Keep any remaining pasta in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 191mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 544IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Did you make a recipe? Leave a rating
can I use white wine instead of pasta water?
Yes, that sounds delicious!