Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce
Easy Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce uses minimal ingredients to make the most flavorful creamy coating for fettuccini, spaghetti, or any shape you fancy. The best budget-friendly sauce that turns a simple supper into a delicious dinner!
Servings: 6
Calories: 287kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 8 ounces cubed cream cheese
- 1½ cups reserved pasta water or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley optional garnish
- 12 ounces cooked fettuccine or any shape pasta
Instructions
- Add the butter to a deep-sided 10 to 12-inch skillet or 5 to 6-quart saucepan over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt.
- Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic. Stirring often to ensure the garlic does not burn. Cook for 1-1½ minutes.
- Add the cream cheese and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until the cream cheese has melted. Be sure to stir constantly to keep the cream cheese from scorching.
- Whisk in the reserved pasta water or broth, onion powder, oregano, kosher salt, and pepper. Continue whisking for another 3-5 minutes until completely incorporated and smooth.
- Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the grated parmesan cheese. Continue whisking until the cheese is melted.
- Add in the cooked pasta and stir to combine. Garnish with the fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Makes: 2 ½ cups
Storage:
- To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Freeze: You can freeze the pasta sauce for up to 1 month. Allow sauce to thaw overnight before reheating and serving.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can add more reserved cooking water to thin out the sauce before adding noodles. Vegetable broth or chicken broth can also be used.
- If the sauce is too thin, you can add some starchy pasta water.
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature. It will help it melt much faster.
- Use fresh grated Parmesan. The pre-shredded Parmesan won’t melt properly and will make the sauce grainy.
Nutrition
Calories: 287kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 710mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 769IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 129mg | Iron: 1mg