Philadelphia Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce
This quick & easy 30 minute pasta meal is a kid favorite. The simple creamy sauce made with a block of Philadelphia cream cheese is the best. The one pot vegetarian recipe is a weeknight go-to dinner.
Ingredients
- ½ Pound dry fusilli pasta 8 ounces any short tube type; see note below
- 8 ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese full-fat block
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup pasta cooking liquid ⅓-1/2 cup needed
- salt & pepper to taste optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling add the pasta and cook over a low boil until al dente (about 12 minutes) - stir occasionally as needed so the pasta does not stick.½ Pound dry fusilli pasta
- Reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water in a measuring cup with a pourable spout. Set aside.Drain the cooked pasta in a colander.
- In the empty pot melt the butter over medium heat.2 tablespoons salted butter
- Add the herbs and spices, stir into the butter. Cook for 1 minute to bring out the oils and flavors in the spices to infuse those flavors into the butter.½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning , ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Add the pasta back to the pot with the flavored butter.
- Cut the cream cheese into a dozen smaller pieces; add to pasta and stir to combine.8 ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- Add a few splashes of the pasta water to the pasta and stir to combine. Repeat until you have the sauce consistency you desire. Turn off the heat once ready.½ cup pasta cooking liquid
- Serve immediately in pasta bowl or plates. Season to taste with salt & pepper if desired. Top with Parmesan cheese or even fresh herbs - optionalsalt & pepper to taste
Notes
STORING & REHEATING:
- Store for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- To reheat leftovers, add a bit more cream cheese & microwave for 30-60 seconds. Stir to make it come together/get creamy again. Adjust with more cream cheese as needed.
- Use any short tube pasta shape such as penne, macaroni, rigatoni, rotini, cavatappi, or even farfalle (bowties)
- Do NOT use low-fat or fat-free cream cheese or any soft/sold in the tub.
- For a spicy version, add 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes for added heat.
Nutrition
Calories: 324kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 17gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 447mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 218mgIron: 1mg
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