Quick Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti with Cream Cheese Recipe

Comfort meets culinary magic in this delightful cheesy garlic parmesan spaghetti with cream cheese that promises pure indulgence.

Pasta enthusiasts will fall head over heels for this creamy, luxurious dish.

Rich, velvety textures blend seamlessly with intense garlic notes and sharp parmesan.

Weeknight dinners just became significantly more exciting with this simple yet extraordinary recipe.

Cheese lovers will appreciate the decadent combination of cream cheese and parmesan creating a luscious sauce.

Each twirled forkful delivers incredible flavor that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Prepare to experience pasta perfection that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti That Hits Every Note

• Transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in just 20 minutes.
• Delivers rich, creamy flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, making it perfect for family dinners.
• Requires only a few pantry staples like pasta, cream cheese, and Parmesan, ensuring accessibility and simplicity.
• Can be customized with protein additions like chicken or shrimp, or served as a delicious vegetarian main course.

Ingredients That Make This Spaghetti a Must-Have

• Spaghetti: Classic pasta shape perfect for holding creamy sauce, choose high-quality durum wheat pasta for best texture.

• Cream Cheese, Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Rich dairy blend creating smooth, luxurious sauce, select full-fat versions for maximum flavor and creaminess.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient providing deep savory notes, fresh garlic cloves recommended for strongest taste.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps develop sauce's smooth consistency, unsalted preferred for better control of salt levels.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb adding color and fresh herbal note, optional but recommended for finishing touch.

How to Cook Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Smoothly

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring water to a rolling boil. Gently lower spaghetti into the water and cook until al dente. Drain pasta in a colander, reserving a small cup of pasta water for later.

• Spaghetti
• Salt

Step 2: Create Garlic Butter Base

Heat a spacious skillet over medium flame. Melt butter until it becomes golden and releases a nutty aroma. Add finely chopped garlic and sauté quickly, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

• Butter
• Garlic

Step 3: Build Luxurious Cream Sauce

Pour heavy cream into the skillet with garlic. Allow mixture to simmer gently. Drop cream cheese into the pan, stirring until completely melted and sauce becomes silky smooth.

• Heavy cream
• Cream cheese

Step 4: Enhance with Parmesan Magic

Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese into the creamy mixture. Whisk continuously until cheese melts and sauce thickens. Season with salt and black pepper to elevate flavors.

• Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 5: Marry Pasta and Sauce

Transfer cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet. Toss pasta thoroughly, ensuring each strand gets coated with the rich, creamy sauce. If sauce seems too thick, splash in reserved pasta water.

Step 6: Finish with Fresh Herbs

Scatter chopped parsley over the pasta. Give a final toss to distribute herbs evenly. Transfer to serving plates and dust with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

• Fresh parsley
• Additional Parmesan cheese

Best Tips for Creamy Garlic Spaghetti at Home

• Prevent Sauce Clumping: Ensure cream cheese softens at room temperature before adding to the skillet, which helps it blend smoothly without creating lumpy texture.
• Boost Garlic Flavor: Gently sauté minced garlic in butter at medium-low heat to release its rich aroma without burning, creating a more intense flavor profile.
• Master Pasta Texture: Cook spaghetti just until al dente, reserving a small amount of pasta water to help thin the sauce if it becomes too thick and aid in sauce adherence.
• Customize Cheese Intensity: Experiment with different Parmesan cheese types- freshly grated offers more robust flavor compared to pre-packaged alternatives, elevating the overall dish taste.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Gradually add heavy cream while stirring constantly to create a silky, smooth sauce that coats the pasta evenly without separating.

Keep Garlic Spaghetti Fresh and Flavorful

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool the pasta completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore sauce consistency. Stir halfway through heating to distribute warmth evenly.
• Gently warm leftover pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a bit of cream or butter to revive the sauce's creamy texture. Stir continuously to prevent sticking and maintain smooth consistency.
• This cream-based pasta doesn't freeze well, as the sauce may separate and lose its original creamy texture when thawed.

Delicious Pairings for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

• Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to cut through the richness of the creamy, cheesy pasta. The wine's acidity will balance the heavy sauce and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a crisp, tangy contrast to the rich, creamy spaghetti. The salad's bright flavors will refresh your taste buds and add nutritional balance.
• Prepare a crusty garlic bread to soak up the extra sauce and enhance the garlic notes in the dish. The bread's crunch will add textural variety and make the meal more satisfying.
• Prepare simple roasted zucchini or asparagus with olive oil and herbs to introduce a light, healthy element alongside the decadent pasta. These vegetables will provide a nutritious counterpoint to the creamy dish.

Spaghetti Variants That Stand Out

• Gluten-Free Pasta Option: Swap traditional spaghetti with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour to accommodate gluten-sensitive diners.
• Vegan Cheese Transformation: Replace dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives like cashew cream, nutritional yeast, and vegan cream cheese for a completely dairy-free version.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Swap: Substitute spaghetti with spiralized zucchini noodles to create a lighter, low-carb alternative that maintains the creamy garlic flavor profile.
• Protein-Packed Upgrade: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy tofu cubes to boost protein content and create a more substantial meal for fitness enthusiasts.

Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti With Cream Cheese Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy cheesy garlic parmesan spaghetti elevates comfort dining to luxurious heights with its rich, silky sauce. Italian pasta perfection promises pure culinary bliss you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 300 g (10 oz) spaghetti
• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened and cubed
• ¾ cup (75 g) grated Parmesan cheese

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Garnish Ingredient:

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Salt, for boiling water

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot and submerge the spaghetti, cooking until it reaches perfect al dente texture, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully drain the pasta, reserving it for the upcoming sauce transformation.
2. Initiate the flavor foundation by melting butter in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom without scorching, creating a fragrant base for approximately 1-2 minutes.
3. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, gently coaxing it to a delicate simmer. Incorporate cream cheese, whisking methodically until it dissolves completely, yielding a luxuriously smooth sauce with velvety consistency.
4. Sprinkle grated Parmesan into the developing sauce, stirring consistently to integrate the cheese. Allow the mixture to thicken subtly, developing deeper flavor complexity for 2-3 minutes.
5. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences and creating a balanced flavor profile.
6. Transfer the drained spaghetti directly into the skillet, meticulously coating each strand with the creamy, garlic-infused sauce. Gently fold in freshly chopped parsley, introducing a vibrant herbaceous note.
7. Plate the spaghetti immediately, presenting it while piping hot. Optionally embellish with additional Parmesan shavings and a sprinkle of parsley for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Always salt your pasta water generously to enhance the base flavor of the entire dish, creating a more robust taste profile.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged to ensure maximum melting and richer flavor complexity.
• Control the sauce’s consistency by adding pasta water if it becomes too thick, helping to create a silky smooth texture that clings perfectly to the spaghetti.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, and use reduced-fat cream cheese to decrease overall calorie content while maintaining creamy richness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg