Here I’ll show you a secret tip to getting truly creamy Cream Cheese Pasta without the sauce drying up. With just 5 ingredients, this easy pasta dish is a total winner!
This truly is the easiest pasta recipe of all time. Plus it’s freaking delish. If you’ve got a spare 20mins and your belly is rumbling, you’ve come to the right place. Follow me…
Pasta with Cream Cheese
I don’t know about you, but if you’ve ever tried cream cheese pasta before, you’ve probably felt a little lacklustre afterwards. Well, same. I’ve seen so many recipes where it’s simply just pasta and cream cheese mixed in. It’s a nice idea, but in reality it just doesn’t taste that great. I was determined to make cream cheese pasta work, so I did a little experimenting, and here’s the result.
It’s kind of like a cream cheese Alfredo sauce. Better still, you only need 5 ingredients!
Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce Ingredients
- Cream Cheese – I usually go for Philadelphia, but any full fat quality brand works great.
- Butter – Adds a richness to the sauce. I usually go for unsalted butter, just so you can control the amount of salt better.
- Parmesan – Freshly grated, not the sandy stuff!
- Garlic – Where there’s a cheesy sauce there’s gotta be garlic. It’s just the rules 🤷♂️
- Ham – Great because it doesn’t need to be cooked (and it’s usually what I’ve got knocking about in the fridge). Can sub this out (see below).
What Pasta to use?
I usually go for spaghetti because it’s the most economical, so fits in well with this recipe. In all cases though I recommend a long-cut pasta, just to allow the sauce to wrap itself around the pasta!
What else can I add to Cream Cheese Pasta?
If you haven’t got or don’t like ham, you can really add most things in this sauce! Here’s some of my faves:
- Bacon
- Mushrooms
- Leftover Chicken
- Smoked Sausage
- Roasted Veggies
A pinch of fresh thyme also works nicely, or even a pinch of chilli flakes to add a kick of spice!
Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce
Okay, so we’ve added some more flavour to the classic cream cheese pasta, but there’s also a second problem. By adding cream cheese straight to pasta it just ends up dry and clumpy. Even thinning it out with milk doesn’t particularly help. So, meet your new best friend.
Starchy Pasta Water
By stirring through some pasta water into melted butter you create an emulsion. This will be the base of your sauce and result in a silky, creamy sauce. A lot of traditional Italian pasta sauces actually only use pasta water and butter, purely because that’s all you need to create a creamy sauce base. But hey, I promised you cream cheese pasta, so that’s what we’re getting 😋
How to use Starchy Pasta Water in Cream Cheese Pasta
Two really important factors to consider. First is you want the pasta water to be properly seasoned with salt. This ensures it doesn’t dilute the flavour of the sauce. Second, you’ll want to scoop the pasta water out JUST before draining. This will ensure the water is nice and starchy, which in turn is what ensures the sauce goes nice and creamy.
How to make Cream Cheese Pasta (quick summary, continue for full recipe)
- Fry garlic and ham until lightly browned, then melt in butter.
- Completely melt butter and keep on a medium heat.
- Stir in pasta water to create an emulsion.
- Add cream cheese and parmesan. Season to taste.
- Toss through spaghetti.
- Thin out with pasta water as needed.
Serving Cream Cheese Pasta
Serve right away with a sprinkling of extra parmesan, just for good measure. If you want to go wild you could add some garlic bread (or cheesy garlic bread, or even cheesy pesto garlic bread!).
Can I make this ahead of time?
This is best made fresh, but with the same token don’t waste any leftovers. Just tightly cover in the fridge then reheat on the stove using a splash of milk or cream to thin out as needed.
If you’re looking for another easy cheesy pasta recipe check out my Four Cheese Pasta!
For more similar recipe check out these beauties too:
Creamy Pasta Recipes
- Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta
- Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
- Creamy Salmon Pasta
- Creamy One Pot Pasta
Right, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this cream cheese pasta shall we?
How to make Cream Cheese Pasta (Full Recipe and Video)
Cream Cheese Pasta
Equipment:
- Large Frying Pan & Wooden Spoon
- Large Pot & Colander
- Pasta Tongs
- Fine Cheese Grater
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
- Mug or 1 cup Measuring Cup (for scooping pasta water)
Ingredients (check list):
- 7oz / 200g Spaghetti
- 3.5oz / 100g Cream Cheese
- 3.5oz / 100g Ham, chopped (see notes for subs)
- 1/4 cup / 20g freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra to serve
- 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 1 clove of Garlic, finely diced
- Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
- dash of Olive Oil, for frying
Instructions:
- Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Right before draining, reserve a cup of starchy pasta water.
- Meanwhile, in a large pan add a drizzle of olive oil over a medium heat. Add the garlic and fry for 30 seconds (careful it doesn't burn), then stir in the ham and fry until it just starts to turn golden.
- Melt in 2 tbsp butter, then add about 80ml / 1/3 cup of starchy pasta water. Quickly whisk in a circular motion to create an emulsion and combine the starchy water with the butter. The water should go cloudy and thicken slightly.
- Turn the heat down slightly and stir in cream cheese until it melts, then stir in the parmesan until it blends into the sauce. Season to taste then add the cooked spaghetti. Toss the spaghetti until the sauce thickens around and clings to it. If it dries out at all just toss in more starchy water a splash at a time. If you go overboard just continue tossing the pasta until the sauce re-thickens.
- Serve with extra helpings of parmesan. Enjoy!
Quick 1 min demo!
Notes:
- Bacon
- Mushrooms
- Leftover Chicken
- Roasted Veggies
- Smoked Sausage
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition:
If you loved this Cream Cheese Pasta recipe then be sure to Pin it for later! Already made it or got a burning question? Give me a shout in the comments below and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!
44 Comments
Sue Barclay
April 29, 2023 at 8:32 pmUsed up what I had in the fridge. Saint Augur creamy and pancetta. Made a superb meal, Thank you for the recipe/
Chris Collins
April 30, 2023 at 10:57 amThat combo sounds bliss! Will have to try it myself! C.
Elizabeth Paterson
November 26, 2021 at 5:41 pmWhat can I say – even I had a success with this and I’ve had some disasters in the kitchen
I used raw prawns and really enjoyed it. Keep the recipes coming, they’re superb.
Lizzie
Chris Collins
November 27, 2021 at 1:55 pmSo glad it went down well! Will have to try it with prawns myself! Thanks for the review 🙂 C.x
Suzy
November 3, 2021 at 6:02 pmI’ve always messed up carbonara until I tried this recipe! 100% perfect .. I swapped ham for pancetta cubes. Thanks I’ve made this many times now, always a hit! X
Chris Collins
November 3, 2021 at 7:04 pmHey Suzy! So glad you enjoyed the carbonara recipe (you’re currently on my cream cheese pasta recipe ). Thank you for the review either way 🙂 C. x
Elly
October 27, 2021 at 9:20 pmMany thanks for this. Am vegetarian and I am always looking for new and easy ideas as I love pasta. Had a pack of cheese and onion flavoured soft cheese which was too soft for crackers so this was perfect. I adapted with what I had in and used Flora plant instead of butter, a handful of grated cheddar and dried Parmesan as I had no fresh. Also added fake bacon lardons, courgettes and onions and a good shake of black pepper. It was delicious and will definitely be added to my favourites.
Chris Collins
October 28, 2021 at 2:38 pmSounds like a great combination! So glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Jen
October 14, 2021 at 3:45 amI just made this for dinner and it was a huge hit! Due to dairy allergies, I made it with Trader Joe’s vegan cream cheese, Trader Joe’s vegan shredded parmesan, and earth balance instead of butter. I also used ground chicken italian sausage and added green peas. It was decadent and creamy, exactly the type of dish I’ve missed since having to avoid dairy. Thanks for a fantastic recipe, it’s definitely a keeper!
Chris Collins
October 14, 2021 at 2:00 pmSo happy to hear the recipe went down well, Jen! The adjustments sound great 🙂
AnnMarie
January 27, 2021 at 2:34 amMade this tonight… used chopped up spicy hot links and shrimp….. so good!!! Thank you for this super easy recipe!!!
Chris Collins
February 1, 2021 at 6:02 pmThat’s awesome to hear! And thank you so much for the review 🙂 Chris.x
Eglė Milavickas
October 16, 2020 at 2:37 amOMG!!! Soo simple & soo delish.
Some differences, I used Fettuccine noodles, whipped cream cheese & added a good splash of milk.
Next time, going to fry up bacon & also add in peas.
Chris Collins
October 16, 2020 at 10:09 amOooo yum! Bacon and peas sound like a fab addition! 🙂
Natasha R Doyel
January 16, 2021 at 12:05 amI added bacon Instead of ham. It was delicious.
Craig P
June 30, 2020 at 3:47 pmBrilliant and simple recipe! Have made this a few times and the whole family love it. I used smoked sausage and spring onion
Chris Collins
June 30, 2020 at 3:49 pmLove it! I’m gonna have to try smoked sausage and spring onion now, sounds like an awesome combo!
Mamatotwo
May 18, 2020 at 2:20 am5 star recipe! I used bacon, and hubby said it was better than restaurant pasta. Easy, quick comfort meal. Thank you!
Chris Collins
May 18, 2020 at 10:14 amThat’s awesome! Happy to hear it went down well! 🙂
Diana
April 20, 2020 at 1:19 amDelicious and super easy to make. This is going to be a regular in our home now.
Chris Collins
April 20, 2020 at 9:47 amWoo hoo! So glad it went down well, Diana 🙂
Natalie
April 10, 2020 at 12:17 amTasty and super simple recipe. Will make it forever.
Chris Collins
April 10, 2020 at 9:59 amWoo hoo! 🙂 Thanks for popping back and leaving a review!
Lee
March 30, 2020 at 2:05 amWhile “sheltering in” I was desperate to use up a half box of pasta and some leftover bacon and mushrooms. This was really simple, satisfying and will go into my recipe box for sure!
Chris Collins
March 30, 2020 at 11:54 amThanks, Lee! Glad it went down well 🙂
Amy
March 18, 2020 at 7:06 pmI had cream cheese that was about to expire and wanted to make a savory dish. i am sooo happy that i came across your recipe. it was so much better than i was expecting. absolutely delicious!! i am sure i will be making this quite often in the future! thanks for the recipe!
Chris Collins
March 18, 2020 at 9:51 pmSo glad it turned out well, Amy! Thanks for popping back to leave a review 🙂
Susan
March 7, 2020 at 7:10 pmI’m a vegetarian so instead of ham, mushrooms and zucchini. Follow all the ingredients. Yummy.
Chris Collins
March 7, 2020 at 9:29 pmMushrooms and zucchini sound like a yummy addition! 🙂
Zee
January 20, 2020 at 3:24 amThis is the easiest and most practical way to make a pasta, but you can’t underestimate the result… my kid loved it so much she wants me to make it again for her and her friends
Since I’m not someone who loves spending much time cooking this recipe is super to me Thank you for sharing this!
Chris Collins
January 20, 2020 at 12:26 pmSo glad it went down well, Zee! I actually had this for dinner last night, reminded me how easy it is!! Thanks for popping back and leaving your feedback 🙂 Chris x
Mahmud
April 18, 2021 at 3:40 pmThis is really awesome.
Kelly
December 1, 2019 at 11:09 pmThis dish was delicious and super easy to make. I used ham from thanksgiving dinner. You won’t be disappointed. ❤️
Chris Collins
December 2, 2019 at 9:28 amSuch a good idea using leftover ham! Glad it was enjoyed 🙂
Neli Howard
April 9, 2019 at 12:51 pmThis pasta look so classic and easy yet perfect for a nicer dinner too! That sauce looks incredibly creamy and flavorful!!
Chris
April 9, 2019 at 4:27 pmThanks Neli ! 🙂
Katherine Hackworthy
April 9, 2019 at 12:40 pmI really like an easy to make tasty meal, ideal for busy mid-week days. This looks delicious and perfect for those days when you need good comfort food. No fussing, but always tasty.
Chris
April 9, 2019 at 4:27 pmYes! So good for busy mid-week days!
Rosa
April 9, 2019 at 12:03 pmWow this sounds decadent!! I bet my kiddos would love this. Thanks for sharing!
Chris
April 9, 2019 at 4:26 pmDefinitely kid approved! 🙂
Nicolas Hortense
April 9, 2019 at 11:49 amWhat I love is that pasta clearly doesn’t need much else! It’s just perfect like that. Looks so creamy and delicious! (:
Chris
April 9, 2019 at 4:26 pmYup, you’re totally right there!
Dannii
April 9, 2019 at 10:52 amWe make a variation of this for our toddler and it always goes down well. You can’t beat cheesy pasta.
Chris
April 9, 2019 at 4:26 pmYou’re so right, you really can’t beat cheesy pasta!