Description
When hunger strikes and time is short, nothing satisfies quite like a bowl of comforting pasta. This 10-minute cream cheese pasta is smooth, velvety, and utterly delicious.
Ingredients
7 oz (200g) spaghetti
3.5 oz (100g) cream cheese
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
Pasta cooking water (½ cup reserved before draining)
Optional add-ins:
Grated Parmesan for extra flavor
Red chili flakes for heat
Cherry tomatoes or spinach for texture and color
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente, according to the package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, just until fragrant—do not let it brown.
- Lower the heat and add cream cheese to the skillet. Let it melt slowly, then pour in reserved pasta water a bit at a time while stirring. This creates a smooth, glossy sauce.
- Add oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir until the sauce is silky and well combined.
- Toss the drained spaghetti into the sauce and mix until the pasta is fully coated. Adjust consistency with a splash more pasta water if needed.
- Serve immediately with chopped herbs or grated cheese on top.
Notes
Use room temperature cream cheese for easier melting
Don’t overcook the garlic—it turns bitter quickly
Reserve enough pasta water to help loosen the sauce and coat the noodles
Use a good-quality olive oil for a deeper flavor
Always season to taste—cream cheese has a mild flavor that loves salt and pepper
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 13 g
Keywords: 10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA