Cream Cheese Pasta

Cream Cheese Pasta makes a delicious dinner as-is or when paired with your favorite protein. This rich, creamy pasta is loaded with cream cheese, romano cheese, and garlic, creating a simple, deeply-flavorful dish.

Pasta is a big deal in our home. We are an Italian and an “honorary Italian”. So, you know, we love our pasta. Sure, there are times when we’ll make a big pot of sauce that we simmer and babysit for hours. BUT sometimes, it’s nice to keep things easy. That’s why we love this recipe. This easy cream cheese pasta is the perfect dish on its own, and it makes a great base to pair with chicken or shellfish.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients.
• It’s a quick and easy recipe that only takes about 30 minutes.
• It’s deliciously creamy and cheesy.
• It’s a versatile pasta recipe you can pair with your favorite protein.

🛒Ingredients

You’ll only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this recipe. They’re so simple, in fact, that you might have most or all of them in your kitchen right now.

Everything you need to make this cream cheese pasta is listed right here, but you can find the exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.

• Pasta (your favorite)
• Butter
• Garlic cloves
• Cream cheese
• Reserved pasta water
• Shredded romano cheese
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Parsley

🔪 How to Make Cream Cheese Pasta

Making this pasta is just about as quick and easy as it gets. With just 10 minutes of prep and another 10 minutes of cooking, this is a recipe perfect for even busy weeknights!

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water.

Step 2: Cook the Garlic

In a saucepan over medium heat, saute the garlic in butter until the garlic is slightly brown.

Step 3: Add the Remaining Ingredients

Add the cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water, stirring constantly with a whisk until blended. Then, add the shredded romano cheese, salt, and pepper, and continue stirring until melted and combined.

Step 4: Finish the Dish

Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and enjoy!

📝Variations

• Try adding red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
• Mix in sauteed chicken, shrimp, crab, or lobster chunks for a protein-packed meal.
• Use your favorite noodles – long or short – for this recipe.
• You can use parmesan, grana padano, or asiago cheese in place of romano.

Try our copycat Olive Garden fettuccine alfredo if you love creamy pasta dishes like this.

🥄 Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Saucepan
• Pot
• Strainer

🥫 Storage

Refrigerate this cream cheese pasta for up to 4 days in an air-tight container. For longer storage, freeze it for up to a month in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag with as much air removed as possible.

To reheat the pasta, place it in a saucepan with a dash of water and cook over medium-low heat until heated through.

What to Serve with Cream Cheese Pasta

This easy pasta dish is a classic that pairs well with a variety of sides for a deliciously simple dinner.

• Parmesan Garlic Bread
• Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad
• Fried Cheese Bites

💭 Tips

• Sautee the garlic at medium heat to help it brown it a bit without burning it.
• Cook the pasta to al dente and no further to ensure it doesn’t break while mixing it into the sauce.
• Cook the sauce while the pasta is boiling so everything comes together at the same time.

⁉️ FAQ

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

🍽 More Recipes

Do you enjoy cream cheese? Then try these delicious recipes:

• White Chicken Chili with Cream Cheese
• Cream Cheese Taco Dip
• Cream Cheese hamburger Pasta Casserole

🧾Recipe Card

Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe so you can find it later.