• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Low Carb Recipes
  • Travel
  • About Us

Have Butter Will Travel

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Low Carb Recipes
  • Travel
  • About Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Low Carb Recipes
    • Travel
    • About Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Meals

    Published: Feb 2, 2023 by Erika Burt & Danielle Coonerty

    Cream Cheese Pasta

    This cream cheese pasta is so quick and easy to thrown together using ingredient you may already have in your fridge and pantry!
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This cream cheese pasta is so simple and comes together in a flash. You can get a delicious dinner on the table in 15-20 minutes using very basic ingredients. You just need some butter, garlic, cream cheese, parmesan cheese and pasta, which, with the magic of some pasta cooking water transforms into a decadent cheesy, creamy spaghetti dinner. Perfect as is, or with the addition of some diced ham, shredded chicken or your favourite veggies. This cream cheese pasta recipe works well as a main dish for two people or can be used as a side dish for 4-6.

    This cream cheese pasta is so simple and comes together in a flash. You can get a delicious dinner on the table in 15-20 minutes using very basic ingredients.

    Easy pasta Alfredo recipe without cream

    Who doesn’t love pasta Alfredo, it is so comforting and creamy. But what if you are craving a simple creamy pasta, but don’t have any cream? Enter this cream cheese pasta recipe! By whisking together the cream cheese and reserved pasta cooking water in this recipe, along with the other simple ingredients, the result is a creamy and tasty pasta sauce. Just stir your cooked pasta through the silky sauce for a satisfying yet simple meal.

    Cream cheese pasta in a black frying pan

    What ingredients do you need to make cream cheese pasta?

    In my opinion, the absolute beauty of this cream cheese pasta recipe is the fact that you may already have the ingredients on hand in your fridge and pantry. So it is perfect to have when the fridge is bare and you really don’t want to have to go grocery shopping. A few simple ingredients come together so quickly to make a delicious, creamy, cheesy pasta. Cooking the pasta takes longer than making the sauce!

    For this cream cheese pasta recipe you will need;

    • cream cheese
    • butter
    • garlic
    • grated parmesan cheese
    • salt & pepper
    • pasta of your choice, we used spaghetti
    Westgold butter, cream cheese, spaghetti, garlic parmesan cheese.

    Our favourite pasta recipes

    What is not to love about good old pasta, it is the ultimate comfort food. Perfect at anytime of the year and usually pretty quick to throw together, as in this cream cheese pasta recipe. The beauty of pasta is it is so versatile. You can do a light summery pasta with garlic, olive oil, cherry tomatoes and prawns or a decadent creamy pasta with bacon and mushrooms.

    Here are some of our other favourite pasta recipes;

    • Creamy bacon zoodles
    • Low carb carbonara
    • Lasagne with hearts of palm
    • Creamy pesto pasta
    • Keto mac & cheese
    Creamy bacon zoodles
    Creamy bacon zoodles
    Low carb carbonara
    Low carb carbonara
    Creamy pesto pasta
    Creamy pesto pasta

    Steps for making cream cheese pasta

    Pasta water in a pyrex jug
    Reserve some of the pasta cooking water to use in the sauce
    garlic and butter in a fry pan
    Lightly saute the garlic in the butter
    Cream cheese pasta in fry pan
    Mix the sauce in with the cooked pasta

    Tips & Suggestions

    • This cream cheese pasta is best served immediately, as it will thicken as it cools. If the pasta has been sitting for a while you may need to add some more pasta water to loosen it up.
    • The pasta water is the key to making this sauce and it is very forgiving. If the sauce is too thick add some more of the reserved pasta water and stir to thin it down. If the sauce is too thin, simmer gently on low to thicken.
    • This serving is a main dish for two servings or could be a side dish for 4-6 people.
    • This cream cheese pasta dish is very versatile and could easily have some shredded ham, bacon, shredded chicken or steamed veggies added to it.
    • To speed up the cooking process, try boiling your water in the kettle first, then add the boiled water to your cooking pot.

    Make it Low Carb

    • This sauce is low carb, so just serve it with your favourite low carb pasta. You could use zucchini noodles, Slendier bean pastas, konjac noodles. Check out our video reviewing low carb pasta options here. Boiling water and some salt to taste can be used in place of the pasta water if using zucchini noodles or konjac noodles.
    Cream cheese pasta on a plate with a fork and cream cheese pasta in a pan in the background

    Equipment

    Disclosure: The above post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission from purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. Everything we recommend on our website are products we use and love. Thank you for supporting Have Butter will Travel and allowing us to share our low carb experiences with you.

    You may need –

    • Non-stick frying pan/skillet
    Cream cheese pasta with silver tongs

    Cream Cheese Pasta

    If you are looking for a creamy, cheesy and delicious pasta dish then this simple cream cheese pasta recipe is for you! This dish really only takes as long as your pasta takes to cook, so can easily be on the table in 15-20 minutes. This dish is also perfect if your fridge is pretty bare and you want a quick meal, as it only uses a few ingredients that you may already have on hand. For our low carb followers, this sauce pairs just as well with low carb pasta alternatives also.

    If you like this recipe, please give it a 5 star rating.

    If you like this recipe you may also like…

    • Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
    • Mexican Chicken Salad
    • Mexican tuna salad
    • Tuna Salad without Mayo
    • Panko Chicken
    • Cream Cheese Pasta
    • Lemon Chicken Marinade
    • Mexican chicken marinade
    • Smoked Chicken Salad
    • Tandoori Chicken Salad

    Cream Cheese Pasta

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    This cream cheese pasta is so quick and easy to thrown together using ingredient you may already have in your fridge and pantry!
    Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Have Butter will Travel Erika Burt & Danielle Coonerty
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 736kcal
    Author: Erika Burt & Danielle Coonerty

    Ingredients

    • 170 g pasta (6oz)
    • 110 g cream cheese, cubed (4oz)
    • 60 g parmesan cheese, finely grated (2oz)
    • 30 g butter (1oz or 2 tbsp)
    • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
    • ½ tsp cracked black pepper
    • fresh chopped chives or parsley to garnish
    • salt, for salting the pasta water

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of well salted water to the boil.
    • Once the water is at a rolling boil, add the pasta and gently stir to break it up. Boil the pasta for as long as stated on the packet directions, this will vary depending on the pasta variety.
    • Reserve at least 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to use in the sauce.
    • Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick frying pan or skillet over medium heat and add the butter.
    • Once the butter is melted, add the garlic and cook for approximately 1 minute. You don't want it to brown or burn as it will be bitter.
    • Add the cream cheese and ¾ cup of the pasta cooking water to the frying pan or skillet. Using a whisk, stir the sauce to allow the cream cheese to dissolve and create a creamy sauce. It may seem like it won't come together initially, but be patient, it will.
    • Once the cream cheese is dissolved, bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
    • Reduce the heat to low and then add about ¾ of the parmesan cheese and the pepper and stir to combine.
    • Once the pasta is cooked, drain and add into the cream cheese sauce and stir to ensure it its all coated. If the sauce is too thick add some more of the reserved pasta water and stir to thin down. If the sauce is too thin, simmer gently on low to thicken.
    • Serve the pasta immediately, sprinkled with the remainder of the parmesan cheese and fresh herbs to garnish.

    Notes

    Tips & Suggestions

      • This cream cheese pasta is best served immediately, as it will thicken as it cools. If the pastas has been sitting for a while you may need to add some more pasta water to loosen it up.
      • The pasta water is the key to making this sauce and it is very forgiving. If the sauce is too thick add some more of the reserved pasta water and stir to thin down. If the sauce is too thin, simmer gently on low to thicken.
      • This serving is a main dish for two servings, or could be a side dish for 4-6 people.
      • This cream cheese pasta dish is very versatile and could easily have some shredded ham, bacon, shredded chicken or steamed veggies aded to it.
     
    NOTE: THIS IS BASED ON THE INGREDIENTS WE USED, NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION MAY VARY DEPENDING ON THE INGREDIENTS USED. 

    Nutrition Per Serve

    Calories: 736kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 40g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Net Carbs: 65g
    Want more free recipes like this?Check out Have butter will travel for 5 keto family favourites dinners

    More Meals

    • Overhead photo of teriyaki chicken and veggie rice in a bowl.
      Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
    • Mexican Chicken Salad
    • Mexican tuna salad
    • Tuna Salad without Mayo

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lainey says

      February 10, 2023 at 5:45 pm

      I made this yesterday and it was so delicious and easy.

      Reply
    2. Sunny says

      February 10, 2023 at 8:36 am

      Easy and filling meal. I used konjac noodles. Through in some bacon because I couldn’t help myself!

      Reply
      • havebutterwilltravel says

        February 10, 2023 at 8:37 am

        Good idea on the bacon and glad it worked with the konjac noodles

        Reply
    3. Kelly says

      February 07, 2023 at 11:42 pm

      Looks yum! Can’t wait to try this one!

      Reply
      • havebutterwilltravel says

        February 10, 2023 at 12:21 pm

        So easy & delicious! Hope you enjoy it Kelly

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! We are Dan and Erika the creators of Have Butter will Travel!
    Erika loves creating quick and simple recipes and Dan loves being the chief taste tester.

    Join our Community!


    Subscribe on Youtube


    MOST POPULAR RECIPES

    • Granola in a jar spilling out on to the bench.
      Keto Granola Recipe
    • Overhead photo of tuna mornay in a baking dish.
      Keto Tuna Casserole (Mornay)
    • Keto Cheese Sauce
    • Satay sauce with grilled chicken
      Keto Satay Sauce

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility

    Copyright © 2023 Have Butter Will Travel

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.