Quick Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe (2024)

Dinner Ideas / Lunch / Pasta / Vegetarian

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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.

Quick Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe (1)

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.
    Quick Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe (2)

    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

    Quick Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe (3)
    Quick Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe (4)
    1. Cook the Pasta: Cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Do not drain it yet.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Drain: Drain the spaghetti and then return it back to the cooking pot.
    5. Add Sauce: Add the cream cheese sauce to the spaghetti; stir until combined.
    6. 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.
    Quick Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe (5)

    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!

    Prep Time5 minutes mins

    Cook Time10 minutes mins

    Total Time15 minutes mins

    Course: Dinner

    Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

    Keyword: cream cheese pasta, creamy pasta sauce, spaghetti recipe

    Servings: 6 servings

    Calories: 450kcal

    Author: Katerina | Easy Weeknight Recipes

    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
    • 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!

    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

    cheesepastaspaghetti

    Quick Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    Why add cream cheese to spaghetti sauce? ›

    It may sound a little unusual to add cream cheese to a pasta recipe, but it adds a tangy note and rich creaminess to the sauce. You can also add extra seasonings and other ingredients to the base recipe to fit your personal taste.

    How to melt cream cheese? ›

    For an 8-ounce block of cream cheese, place the completely unwrapped cheese on a microwave-safe plate and microwave it on high for 15 seconds. Add 10 seconds for each additional 8 ounces of cheese or as needed until you have softened the cream cheese.

    Can I use cream cheese instead of heavy cream in pasta sauce? ›

    Cream cheese will work as a one-to-one substitute for heavy cream. Keep in mind that cream cheese may alter the taste and texture of the final product, so make sure to use it in suitable recipes in which the flavors will work together, such as in creamy soups or cheesy sauces.

    Will cream cheese thicken pasta sauce? ›

    Another quick fix is to add cheese: freshly grated Parmesan will add umami and thicken the sauce. Cream cheese is one of our favorite secret ingredients and will thicken a tomato sauce quickly. On the downside, it will also change the flavor of the sauce.

    How do you soften cream cheese ASAP? ›

    Pretty Fast: In Warm Water
    1. Place the unopened aluminum-foil-wrapped cream cheese in a ziplock bag.
    2. Push all of the air out of the bag before sealing it.
    3. Fill a large bowl (or the sink) with warm water.
    4. Place the bag of cream cheese in the warm water.
    5. Submerge it for about 10 minutes or until the cream cheese is soft.
    Nov 21, 2023

    Is it OK to heat cream cheese? ›

    Heat the cream cheese for about 1-1/2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds until it's softened. Mash the cream cheese up in a bowl and then use in our best-loved cream cheese recipes.

    Can cream cheese be melted on stove? ›

    Melt together cream cheese and butter in a saucepan over low heat until smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes.

    When not to use cream cheese? ›

    Cream cheese that has been continuously refrigerated can last for several weeks. “Cream cheese packages that haven't been opened can be used for up to two to three weeks past their best by date,” Edwards says. “Once opened, it's best to use cream cheese within ten days.

    Why do people cook with cream cheese? ›

    Cream cheese is a tasty addition to cream-based soups; simply add small cubes of cream cheese to soup after removing it from the stovetop and stir until melted. Cream cheese can also be added to cake frostings or fillings instead of milk or cream. This substitution changes the flavor and thickens the texture.

    Is cream cheese healthy? ›

    While cream cheese is high in fat and calories, it also contains essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin A, and protein. Consuming cream cheese in moderation can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you choose lower-fat varieties or pair it with nutritious foods like whole-grain bread and fresh vegetables.

    What is the best cheese to put on spaghetti? ›

    8 Best Cheeses for Melting in Pastas, Paninis, Omelets, Casseroles, and More
    1. Fontina. Fontina can be buttery and a bit fruity; Fontina Val d'Aosta, from Italy's Aosta Valley, is firmer, more pungent, and nuttier (and always made of raw milk). ...
    2. Gouda. ...
    3. Asiago. ...
    4. Taleggio. ...
    5. Reblochon. ...
    6. Provolone. ...
    7. Mozzarella. ...
    8. Gruyère.
    Oct 18, 2023

    What does putting milk in spaghetti sauce do? ›

    It sounds unconventional to use milk in a meaty red sauce, but upon further investigation, it makes total sense why Italians swear by it. According to our Food Director Amira, not only does milk add a rich flavour to the bolognese, but it also “helps cut through the acidity of the tomatoes and red wine”.

    Can you melt cheese into pasta sauce? ›

    Combine cream and butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir frequently until butter melts, and bring to a simmer. Gradually stir in Parmesan, mozzarella, provolone, and Romano. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, just until cheese melts. Serve immediately; sauce will thicken upon standing.

    What makes spaghetti sauce taste better? ›

    The secret to great sauce lies in proportions, cook times, and any additions to that basic formula — all of which change its texture and flavor.
    1. Toss in fresh or dried herbs. ...
    2. Sautée garlic and onions. ...
    3. Chop up some vegetables. ...
    4. Add some heat. ...
    5. Stir in cheese or cream. ...
    6. Add meat or meat alternatives.
    Jul 6, 2022

    Why add cream to spaghetti sauce? ›

    Your favorite premade sauce will not only become lighter in color, the cream will add a new depth of flavor to it. This addition can help to balance out acidity and create a texture that will make your tastebuds sing.

    Should I put cheese in my spaghetti sauce? ›

    Cheese and dairy give sauces creaminess while butter and oil give them richness. You also don't need to use a lot — these are just for finishing and rounding out the flavors in a sauce. Whole Milk or Heavy Cream: Add a splash and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to thicken.

    How do you keep pasta sauce creamy? ›

    You can add some cream, cheese and also a little boiled water in which the pasta was cooked. Adding all these elements will give your pasta sauce a thick and creamy structure.

    References

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