Description
This creamy spaghetti recipe features a luscious, smooth sauce made from cream cheese, parmesan, and heavy cream, tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a comforting and indulgent pasta dish ideal for easy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti
- 12 oz spaghetti (or your favorite pasta)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk (adjust for desired consistency)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook spaghetti according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency later.
- Make the Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for sautéing.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, heavy cream, and milk to the skillet.
- Melt and Stir: Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Gradually whisk in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until fully combined and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Adjust Thickness: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in unsalted butter until melted for extra richness.
- Season: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the sauce.
- Coat Evenly: Use tongs to toss and coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the creamy spaghetti hot and enjoy this comforting meal right away.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water contains starch which helps to loosen and bind the sauce for a silky texture.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and smooth melting.
- Adjust milk quantity to achieve your preferred sauce thickness.
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute cream cheese and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives, but expect differences in texture.
- Adding fresh parsley offers a refreshing contrast but can be omitted if unavailable.
