Cream Cheese Pasta
User Reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
5 mins
-
Cook Time
5 mins
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Total Time
15 mins
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Servings
4 people
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Calories
519 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Cream Cheese Pasta
Report
This easy cream cheese pasta recipe uses just a few basic ingredients and is ready in about 15 minutes. And it is versatile; add other ingredients to make this dish your own.
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Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta 450 g, Note 1
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3-5 garlic cloves to taste
- 1 ⅓ cup cream cheese 300 g/ 10.5 oz, Note 2
- 1 cup milk 230 ml
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan + more to serve, Note 3
- small handful fresh basil Note 4
- fine sea salt or kosher salt
- ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the cooking water.1 lb pasta / 450 g
- In the meantime, prepare the ingredients for the sauce, but only start cooking a couple of minutes before the pasta is cooked.
- Grate the garlic and set aside. Whisk the cream cheese and milk in a bowl and add salt and pepper to taste. Grate the Parmesan. Cut the basil into strips. Keep all the ingredients in separate containers.3-5 garlic cloves + 1 ⅓ cup cream cheese/ 300 g + 1 cup milk/ 230 ml + 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan + small handful fresh basil
- Cream cheese sauce: Heat the oil and sauté the garlic on low heat for just about 30-60 seconds; it should not get too much color or burn. Add the cream cheese mixture and stir until smooth. Add the chopped basil and Parmesan and combine.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add drained pasta and a little reserved cooking water, just enough to make the sauce creamy and help it coat the pasta thoroughly.
- Adjust the taste with salt and pepper and sprinkle with more Parmesan, if desired. Serve immediately.fine sea salt + ground black pepper
Notes
- Pasta: I use spaghetti or tagliatelle most of the time, but any other kind of pasta shape is fine.
- Cream cheese: I usually use creamy and softer cream cheese from a tub of cream cheese. However, brick cream cheese is just as great, but you might need to mix it with more milk or pasta water to help it reach a smooth and creamy consistency. Add the extra liquid gradually and stir well before adding any more.
- Parmesan: Preferably freshly grated; pre-grated cheese has less flavor, and its preservatives might make the sauce grainy. It can be left out; the dish will still taste great without it.
- Basil: Only fresh basil, don't substitute with dried. Fresh or frozen parsley can be used instead.
- Customize:
- Add 1-2 deseeded and chopped tomatoes and stir them with the garlic in the pan for 1-2 minutes until slightly softened before adding the cream cheese.
- Sauté 3-4 finely chopped anchovies with the garlic until “melted.”
- Sauté a finely chopped chili with the garlic, or add some red chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Add a good handful of peas to the cooking pasta during the last 2 minutes of the cooking time.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1/4 of the dish
Calories
519kcal
(26%)
Carbohydrates
44g
(15%)
Protein
15g
(30%)
Fat
32g
(49%)
Saturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
12g
Cholesterol
82mg
(27%)
Sodium
611mg
(25%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 519 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1/4 of the dish | |
| Calories | 519kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 12g | 71% |
| Cholesterol | 82mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 611mg | 25% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
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