This recipe is one of those life savers dishes! It’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t like pasta, right?
What about pasta with cheese? I don’t know anyone who doesn’t and for this reason, I believe that this recipe is a life saver, it will please most.
Also because all the ingredients are easy to find; you probably have them all already in your fridge and pantry.
You can use the pasta of your preference with the creamy sauce in this recipe. It’s a go-with-all kind of pasta; you can have it on its own or with grilled chicken, or steak.
The best thing about this pasta is how quick it is ready; you can’t wonder around while making this dish otherwise you might miss the cooking time!
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS RECIPE
To make Cream Cheese Pasta you only need a few ingredients: The pasta that can be spaghetti, penne, fusilli or tagliatelli, you choose!
You will need for the sauce; cream cheese, grated parmesan, olive oil, garlic cloves, salt and pepper and finally, chilli flakes if you want a little kick.
HOW TO MAKE CREAM CHEESE PASTA?
To make Cream Cheese Pasta, you have to:
First, boil and salt the water to cook pasta, according to package directions until al dente.
Before draining, reserve a cup of starchy pasta water.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet warm 1 Tbsp of olive oil and gently fry the garlic (plus a good pinch of chilli flakes if you like) for 2-3 minutes. Use a low heat; do not let the garlic burn.Then, stir the cream cheese and about 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water. Stir to combine oil, cream cheese, water and create a nice and creamy emulsion. Add parmesan cheese and stir well. Your pasta sauce is ready.
Now, drain and add your pasta to the skillet. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta in the sauce, add more cooking water as needed for a smooth and creamy consistency. Serve immediately with a drizzle of good olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, freshly grated parmesan, and freshly ground black pepper to replace the chilli flakes.
WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF CHEESE IN PASTA?
If you are not a fan of cheese, you can replace the cream cheese for heavy cream and the parmesan for shredded chicken.
Because this is a Cream Cheese Pasta recipe, it will be a completely new recipe to replace the cheese for a non-dairy option, my suggestion will be to leave any cheese out of the recipe and make an aioli sauce, with the ingredients listed.
It will still taste fantastic!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS CREAM CHEESE PASTA?
Side dishes to serve with Cream Cheese Pasta will be Roasted vegetables, aubergine in olive oil and garlic with a hint of basil match this recipe perfectly if you want a vegetarian option. Also, grilled asparagus drizzled with lemon and melted butter.
If you want to add some protein to your meal, grilled chicken, seasoned with salt and pepper will be delicious. Although, for me, a steak, is my favourite! I like it simple, salt to both sides and grilled with some vegetable oil.
Cream Cheese Pasta
The best thing about this pasta is how quick it is ready
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli, tagliatelli,…)
- 3/4 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan, plus more to serve
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more to serve
- 1-2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
- 1/2 cup cooking water, plus more if needed
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4-1/2 tsp chilli flakes, or according to taste (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Right before draining, reserve a cup of starchy pasta water.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet warm 1 Tbsp of olive oil and gently fry the garlic (plus a good pinch of chilli flakes if you like) for 2-3 minutes. Use a low heat; do not let the garlic burn.
- Then stir the cream cheese and about 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water. Stir to combine oil, cream cheese, water and create a nice and creamy emulsion. Add parmesan cheese and stir well. Your pasta sauce is ready.
- Drain and add your pasta to the skillet. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta in the sauce, add more cooking water as needed for a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Serve immediately with a drizzle of good olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, freshly grated parmesan, and freshly ground black pepper to replace chilli flakes.
