Description
A quick and creamy pasta recipe perfect for busy days, featuring a smooth cream cheese sauce enhanced with garlic and olive oil. Ready in just 10 minutes, this comforting dish is easy to prepare and customizable with your favorite toppings like sautéed vegetables, fresh herbs, and grated cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 7 oz (200g) pasta (spaghetti or your favorite type)
- 3.5 oz (100g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced or grated
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (120ml) pasta cooking water (reserved)
Optional Toppings
- Grated parmesan or pecorino cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Red pepper flakes for spice
- Sautéed mushrooms, peas, or spinach for added flavor and nutrition
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining to use later in the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely minced or grated garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Melt Cream Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and add the room temperature cream cheese to the skillet. Stir gently until it begins to melt and combine with the garlic and oil.
- Create Sauce: Slowly pour in the reserved pasta water while continuously stirring to form a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Toss Pasta: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the cream cheese sauce and toss well to coat all the noodles evenly.
- Season: Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the pasta hot, topped with optional grated cheese, fresh herbs, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, or sautéed vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easier melting and a smoother sauce.
- Reserve pasta water as it contains starch which helps to emulsify and thicken the sauce.
- Customize with vegetables like mushrooms, peas, or spinach to add nutrition and texture.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes according to your heat tolerance.
- For a richer flavor, opt for parmesan or pecorino cheese as toppings.
