Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce

Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce
Ingredient Notes
Save That Sauce
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This creamy Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce is pure comfort in a pan. It’s rich, garlicky, and smooth, with a quick-fix feel that makes busy-night dinners easy and delicious.

A simple green salad balances the richness of this dish and be sure to add homemade garlic bread to get every last drop of this delicious sauce!

plated pasta with Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce

Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce

Flavor: Rich, creamy, and savory with a mellow garlic bite and a hint of herbs.

Why Make It: The sauce comes together in the time it takes to boil pasta, all in just one saucepan for an easy, no-fuss dinner.

Serving Suggestions: I love serving this sauce over spaghetti, penne, rotini, bowties, or tortellini. I’ll often toss in peas, spinach, or leftover chicken to make it even heartier and more satisfying.

Total Time: 10 Minutes Serves: 4 Cooking Method: Stovetop

Ingredient Notes

cream cheese , parmesan , garlic , onion powder , basil , broth , butter , salt and pepper with labels to make Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce

Cream Cheese: Brick-style cream cheese works best for the smoothest, creamiest sauce, and cubing it helps it melt quickly and evenly.
Broth: Chicken broth adds savory depth and helps thin the sauce without making it feel heavy or bland. Vegetable broth works for a vegetarian option.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan will give you a creamier texture and better flavor than pre-shredded. To make it extra cheesy add a little more Parmesan or a sprinkle of mozzarella.
Pasta: Any pasta shape works well, with short shapes holding onto the sauce nicely, while spaghetti or fettuccine give it that classic Alfredo-style feel.
Variations: The sauce can be made lighter by using half broth and half milk for a softer, creamier flavor. It can also be spiced up with red pepper flakes, or turned into a heartier meal by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, ham, bacon, or Italian sausage.

For a Smooth Cheese Melt: Cut the cream cheese into small cubes so it melts smoothly and quickly.
Keep the Heat Just Right: Keep the heat at medium or medium-low once the cream cheese is added.
Save Some Pasta Water: A splash of pasta water can loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.
For a Smooth Melt: Remove the pan from the heat before adding Parmesan so the cheese melts without clumping.
Toss Right Away: Toss the sauce with hot pasta right away so it coats every piece.

Save That Sauce

Keep leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze the sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks. Dairy-based sauces can separate after freezing, so thaw in the refrigerator and reheat slowly while whisking.

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Cook pasta according to package directions.
While pasta is boiling, cook garlic in butter in a saucepan over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add dried basil and onion powder. Whisk in cream cheese until melted and smooth.
Add chicken broth a little bit at a time and simmer 3-4 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese. Season with salt & pepper to taste and serve over pasta.

Leftover sauce can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze in a ziptop bag for up to 4 weeks.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Pasta, Sauce

Cuisine American

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