Description
This creamy pasta made with cream cheese, parmesan, garlic, and chili flakes is a 10-minute comfort meal perfect for busy weeknights. Rich, simple, and endlessly customizable, it’s a quick dinner staple that satisfies every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ lb (225g) pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli, or your choice)
- ¾ cup (160g) cream cheese, full-fat or low-fat
- ¼ cup (30g) grated parmesan, plus extra for serving
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1–2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
- ½ cup (120ml) pasta cooking water, plus more if needed
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼–½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic and chili flakes (if using), and sauté for 2–3 minutes.
- Add cream cheese and ½ cup hot pasta water to the skillet. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Stir in parmesan cheese and mix until fully combined into a glossy sauce.
- Drain pasta and add to the sauce. Toss everything together, adding more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately topped with extra parmesan and chili flakes.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for faster melting and smoother sauce.
- Don’t skip the pasta water—it helps emulsify the sauce and adds flavor.
- Add-ins like spinach, mushrooms, or grilled chicken make it a full meal.
- For a dairy-free version, use plant-based cream cheese and vegan parmesan.
- Leftovers reheat best with a splash of water or milk stirred in gently.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 45mg