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A bowl of silky spaghetti coated in a glossy cream cheese sauce with fresh parsley
Print Recipe

Ultimate Cream Cheese Pasta

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 475kcal

Ingredients

  • 16 oz dried spaghetti or penne pasta
  • 8 oz full -fat cream cheese, softened and cubed
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon extra -virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup reserved starchy pasta water
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
  • Prior to draining, reserve exactly 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water and set aside.
  • In a large deep skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil until shimmering.
  • Add the minced garlic and sauté for 60 to 90 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cubed cream cheese along with 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water.
  • Whisk the mixture vigorously and continuously until the cream cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth and glossy.
  • Whisk in the Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until the cheese is completely melted.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss using tongs to coat every strand, adding remaining pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time if the sauce is too thick.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately while the sauce is at its peak silkiness.