September 18, 2023
Review RecipeCream Cheese Pasta Sauce
This rich cream cheese pasta sauce is the ideal choice the next time you want to whip up a flavorful pasta dish.
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This delicious cream cheese pasta sauce is sure to spice up your dinner rotation. This sauce is creamy, and cheesy, and has plenty of flavors thanks to the seasonings, tangy parmesan, and broth, making it a great choice to dress up your favorite pasta any night of the week.
Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce Ingredients
If you’re a fan of creamy sauces, then you absolutely must try cream cheese pasta sauce!
With its rich and velvety texture, this sauce is a true crowd-pleaser that will leave your taste buds singing. Its creamy, tangy flavor pairs perfectly with almost any type of pasta, and it’s incredibly versatile and easy to customize.
You’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons of salted sweet cream butter
- 1 tablespoon of minced garlic cloves
- 8 ounces of cubed cream cheese
- 1½ cups of reserved pasta water or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon of dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon of fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, optional garnish
- 12 ounces of cooked fettuccine (or any shape of pasta)
Substitutions And Additions For Cream Cheese Pasta
BROTH: You can substitute vegetable broth for the starchy pasta water or chicken broth in this easy sauce.
BUTTER: You can substitute unsalted butter for salted sweet cream butter. You can also substitute extra virgin olive oil for the butter in this creamy pasta sauce.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
To speed up the cooking process and get a smooth sauce faster, set the block of cream cheese out about 30 minutes before using it.
How To Make This Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce Recipe
To make this creamy sauce, you’ll gently simmer the ingredients in a skillet on the stovetop until the perfect consistency. It’s then ready to mix with your favorite pasta noodles.
STEP ONE: Add the butter to a deep-sided 10 to 12-inch skillet or 5 to 6-quart saucepan over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt.
STEP TWO: Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic. Stirring often to ensure the garlic does not burn. Cook for 1 to 1½ minutes.
STEP THREE: Add the cream cheese and continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until the cream cheese has melted.
PRO TIP:
Be sure to stir constantly to keep the cream cheese from scorching.
STEP FOUR: Whisk in the reserved pasta water or broth, onion powder, oregano, kosher salt, and pepper. Continue whisking for another 3 to 5 minutes until completely incorporated and smooth.
STEP FIVE: Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the grated parmesan cheese. Continue whisking until the cheese is melted.
PRO TIP:
To help make your sauce extra creamy, allow your parmesan cheese to come to room temperature before adding it to the sauce.
STEP SIX: Add in the cooked pasta and stir to combine. Garnish with the fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
How To Serve This Pasta Sauce With Cream Cheese
This sauce will take your pasta meal to the next level, and the whole family will love the rich flavor. It’s perfect for a quick dinner on a busy weeknight, along with garlic bread and a simple green salad or Caesar salad.
You can also add the delicious sauce to cream soups or add them to mashed potatoes to make them even creamier.
We have plenty more pasta dishes to add a bit of variety to your meal plan. Don’t forget to check out our bruschetta chicken pasta and shrimp alfredo.
MORE SAUCE RECIPES
Storing Cream Cheese Sauces For Pasta
Keep a batch of this creamy sauce in the freezer so that you will have an easy meal option on a busy night.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers of this easy pasta dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the leftover pasta sauce for up to 1 month. Allow the sauce to thaw overnight before reheating and serving.
With a handful of basic ingredients, you can whip up a creamy sauce full of savory flavor that is an excellent choice for an easy dinner. Add this creamy cheese pasta sauce to your favorite pasta, and you will have a winner on your hands that even the pickiest eater will enjoy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does this sauce freeze well?
This easy pasta sauce with cream cheese recipe freezes well and can stay in the freezer for up to one month.
What kind of pasta works best with this cream cheese sauce recipe?
Fettuccine is recommended for this fantastic recipe because it is nice and broad, and the cheesy sauce clings to it well. If you prefer to use a different pasta, it will still taste amazing!
Can I add vegetables to this easy cream cheese pasta recipe?
Sauteed vegetables would be delicious in this sauce. Try mushrooms, red peppers, onion, asparagus, and broccoli for great options.
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Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce
This rich cream cheese pasta sauce is the ideal choice the next time you want to whip up a flavorful pasta dish.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 8 ounces cubed cream cheese
- 1½ cups reserved pasta water, or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, optional garnish
- 12 ounces cooked fettuccine, or any shape pasta
Instructions
- Add the butter to a deep-sided 10 to 12-inch skillet or 5 to 6-quart saucepan over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt.
- Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic. Stirring often to ensure the garlic does not burn. Cook for 1 to 1½ minutes.
- Add the cream cheese and continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until the cream cheese has melted. Be sure to stir constantly to keep the cream cheese from scorching.
- Whisk in the reserved pasta water or broth, onion powder, oregano, kosher salt, and pepper. Continue whisking for another 3 to 5 minutes until completely incorporated and smooth.
- Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the grated parmesan cheese. Continue whisking until the cheese is melted.
- Add in the cooked pasta and stir to combine. Garnish with the fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
- To speed up the cooking process and get a smooth sauce faster, set the block of cream cheese out about 30 minutes before using it.
- Be sure to stir constantly to keep the cream cheese from scorching.
- To help make your sauce extra creamy, allow your parmesan cheese to come to room temperature before adding it to the sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 861kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 35g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 219mg | Sodium: 2130mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2308IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 386mg | Iron: 2mg
Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb
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Comments
Rita says
I would never have thought to add the cream cheese pasta sauce to mashed potatoes. Thank you! Can’t wait to try it.
M Lynn Doane says
So much better than my usual alfredo sauce.
Rosalind Holliday says
This cream cheese sauce was amazing. The creamy texture coated the noodles perfectly. I will keep this one in my rotation.
Gabriela B. says
This sauce seems very customizable.