If you’re craving all the comfort of a creamy pasta, but you only have minutes to spare, this 10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA is your new weeknight hero. Lusciously smooth, perfectly cheesy, and infused with garlicky goodness, this dish transforms humble pantry staples into a bowl of pure joy. It’s budget-friendly, heartwarming, and guaranteed to please everyone at the table—without breaking a sweat or the bank!

Ingredients You’ll Need

10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk ingredients: simplicity is the heart of 10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA. Each item works hard to build flavor and texture, making the final dish much greater than the sum of its parts. Here’s what you’ll need and little tips on how each one earns its spot.

Pasta: Whether you’re a fan of spaghetti, penne, or fusilli, pick your favorite shape—each soaks up the creamy sauce beautifully.
Cream Cheese: The real star! Tub-style cream cheese (like classic Philadelphia) melts into pure silkiness in minutes.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is best; skip the pre-shredded stuff for the smoothest sauce and the boldest savory bite.
Olive Oil: Good olive oil adds a fruity, rich note and helps marry all the flavors together.
Garlic: Just a clove or two, sautéed gently, delivers that irresistible aroma and punch.
Pasta Cooking Water: The starchy water is your secret weapon for letting the sauce cling luxuriously to every noodle.
Salt & Pepper: For perfectly balanced seasoning—taste as you go for your personal perfection.
Chili Flakes (Optional): A pinch brings a warm little kick; totally up to your mood!

How to Make 10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA

Step 1: Cook Your Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid, enthusiastic boil and drop in your chosen pasta. Cook according to package directions until just al dente. This is crucial—slightly firm pasta stands up to the velvety sauce. Just before draining, grab a full cup of that precious pasta water for later magic, then drain the rest.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

As your pasta cooks, warm olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add minced garlic (and chili flakes if you love a bit of heat) and gently fry for two to three minutes. The key is patience: you want fragrant, gently sizzling garlic, never burnt. If your kitchen starts to smell dreamy and inviting, you’re doing it right!

Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Sauce

Spoon the cream cheese right into your garlic-infused oil, then pour in about half a cup of that reserved pasta water. Stir everything together to encourage a creamy, luscious emulsion—this is where the sauce truly comes alive. Sprinkle in the parmesan and let it melt in, stirring until it’s all one glorious, smooth sauce.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Toss your drained pasta straight into the skillet. Use tongs or a big spoon to gently but thoroughly coat every strand in the creamy sauce. If things look a bit tight or clumpy, add a splash more pasta water and keep stirring for ultimate silkiness.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Serve your 10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA immediately, with an extra drizzle of olive oil, a flurry of freshly grated parmesan, and freshly cracked black pepper. If you opted out of chili flakes in the sauce, now’s your chance to add a pinch for color and zip. Dive in while it’s piping hot!

How to Serve 10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA

Garnishes

Perfect garnishes turn this dish from simple weeknight pasta into a restaurant-worthy treat. Think finely chopped parsley, extra parmesan, or even a light zesting of lemon. Each bite gets a fresh, zippy upgrade with the right finishing touch.

Side Dishes

While 10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA is a meal on its own, it plays beautifully with sides. A crisp green salad dressed with lemony vinaigrette, roasted vegetables, or garlicky bread are just right for soaking up every last bit of that dreamy sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For date night, twirl pasta high on deep plates and sprinkle with microgreens. Feeding a crowd? Serve from a big, rustic bowl family-style. Add blistered cherry tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms for a color pop—or try a splash of pesto on top for extra sparkle!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any 10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA left, simply pop it into an airtight container as soon as it cools. It’ll be fresh for up to two days in the refrigerator. Give it a gentle stir before reheating to refresh the sauce, and don’t forget to add a splash of water if it’s thickened up.

Freezing

While cream cheese sauces can sometimes separate in the freezer, this pasta can be frozen if you don’t mind a slight texture change. Portion it out in freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze for up to a month. When you thaw, stir well to help the sauce come back together.

Reheating

Reheat 10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA gently on the stovetop over low flame, adding a bit of water or milk to loosen it up. Short pasta shapes like penne or fusilli reheat better than strands like spaghetti. In a pinch, the microwave works—just heat in short bursts, stirring often.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

Yes! Low-fat cream cheese will still yield a creamy sauce, though it may be a little less rich. If you love a lighter touch, go for it—just keep a close eye while mixing so everything combines nicely.

What other cheeses could I add?

Feel free to experiment: a scattering of mozzarella for extra stretch, a handful of pecorino for sharpness, or even a spoonful of ricotta for a mellow twist all work beautifully in this dish.

Is 10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA gluten-free?

Not by default, but you can easily swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta. The sauce itself is naturally free of gluten, so just use the noodles that suit your needs.

Can I add vegetables or proteins?

Absolutely! Toss in peas, spinach, or roasted cherry tomatoes for a veggie boost. Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or crispy bacon for some extra protein punch—make it your own!

Why save pasta water?

That starchy pasta water is like liquid gold! It loosens the sauce without watering down flavor, helping it adhere satiny-smooth to every single noodle. Don’t skip this step—the secret’s in the swirl!

Final Thoughts

I hope you feel inspired to make this 10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA the star of your next dinner. It’s a busy-day lifesaver and a cozy delight, all in one bowl. Try it once, and it just might become your favorite ten-minute miracle!

10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA Recipe

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5.2 from 10 reviews

This creamy and cozy cream cheese pasta is the perfect solution for your midweek carb cravings. Quick, budget-friendly, and sure to make everyone happy!

Author: Paula
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 2-3 servings
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Pasta:

1/2 lb (225 grams) pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli…)

Cream Cheese Sauce:

3/4 cup (160 grams) cream cheese*
1/4 cup (30 grams) grated parmesan, plus more to serve
1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more to serve
1–2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1/2 cup (120 ml) cooking water, plus more if needed
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4–1/2 tsp chili flakes, or according to taste (optional)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
Prepare the Sauce: In a skillet, warm olive oil and gently fry garlic. Add cream cheese and pasta water to create an emulsion. Stir in parmesan until sauce is creamy.
Combine and Serve: Add drained pasta to the skillet, coating it in the sauce. Adjust consistency with more cooking water if needed. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil, parmesan, and black pepper.