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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!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
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

Calories: 736kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 40g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Net Carbs: 65g