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Craving rich, flavorful pasta without the fuss? This one pot, 9 ingredient Cream Cheese Pasta recipe is just the ticket! Ultra creamy, perfectly cheesy, and ready in mere minutes, this Philadelphia cream cheese sauce is perfect for busy weeknight dinners or anytime you need a quick, yet satisfyingly cozy meal.

Featured comment: Very good! We used whole wheat macaroni since that’s what we had on hand. We didn’t have any parmesan and is still turned out delicious. Added chopped chicken and served with broccoli. Will be making again.” – C.F

Overhead photo of cream cheese pasta with shaved parmesan and fresh herbs in a large white skillet.

Update: This recipe was originally published in April 2022. It’s been updated to include more information about making cream cheese sauce for pasta, as well as pro-tips for customizing this recipe. 

If you’re a serial cheese lover or simply craving something savory and cheesy for dinner tonight, I’ve got the perfect recipe for you! This unpretentious cheesy cream cheese pasta recipe is perfect for your back pocket. You can serve this Philadelphia pasta as a weeknight meal for the whole family, or dish it up as a decadent, cozy meal perfect for a date night at home complete with a glass of bubbly.

Table of Contents

About this cream cheese pasta

It is super easy and is done without any fanfare, but it is anything but bland or boring. The combination of Italian seasoning, cream cheese, and parmesan gives the cheesy white sauce full-on, comforting flavors that will burst in your mouth. I also added a pinch of red pepper flakes to give it a punch of heat that will tantalize your tastebuds. 

The pasta and the sauce are both cooked in a deep skillet or Dutch oven, which concentrates all the goodness of the aromatics, herbs, spices, and white wine into the dish. Not only will you be getting a flavorful dish in minutes, but clean-up will also be a breeze! And if you have some veggies in your chiller that you need to use ASAP, this recipe is the perfect way to use them. 

Why you’ll love this pasta cream cheese recipe

  • 9 ingredients! You only need 9 simple, easy-to find ingredients, plus a couple pantry staples to prepare this Italian meal.
  • 10 minutes of preparation! This pasta cream cheese only requires 10 minutes of hands-on preparation. You can have these cream cheese noodles prepared, cooked and on the table in 30 minutes (or less)!
  • One pot! This pasta with Philadelphia cream cheese sauce comes together in just one pot.
  • Ultra-creamy! If you love restaurant-quality white sauce pastas, such as Alfredo, then you will fall head over heels in love with this super simple, yet utterly delicious cheese pasta sauce recipe.
  • Anytime meal! This one pot creamy pasta recipe is easy enough for weeknight dinners with the family AND delicious enough for entertaining.
  • Totally customizable! Cream cheese and pasta is totally flexible and just waiting for you to add your personal touch. Make this recipe for pasta with cheese as is, or customize it to suit your needs! Try adding crispy bacon, cooked sausage, leftover ham, or prosciutto for the meat lovers in your family. Or stir in spinach and bell peppers to make your meal more nutritious. The sky is the limit!

What is Philadelphia cheese pasta sauce?

Cream cheese pasta is an easy comforting dish made with your favorite shape of pasta and a block of cream cheese, along with broth, fragrant aromatics and flavorful Italian seasonings! This white sauce pasta with cheese is similar to Fettuccine Alfredo; just with a slightly tangier taste!

If philly cream cheese is on sale at the store, grab an extra block and put it to good use in these recipes: How to Whip and Flavor A Block of Cream Cheese, Jalapeno Dip with Cream Cheese, and Cream Cheese Danish Pastry. 

Overhead photo of the nine ingredients needed to make cream cheese pasta sauces neatly arranged on a kitchen counter.

Ingredients in philadelphia cream cheese pasta sauce 

You’ll need nine simple ingredients, plus a few pantry staples to make the easiest fettuccine alfredo with cream cheese:

  • Butter: You’ll need 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter for sautéing the aromatics. If using salted butter, adjust the amount of salt in the recipe accordingly.
  • Shallot: One large shallot adds a delicate touch of astringent onion flavor.
  • Garlic: Three to four cloves of fresh garlic provide a distinctive, punchy taste. Make sure you use fresh garlic cloves, not the minced variety sold in a jar.
  • Seasonings: A combination of Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper all add a ton of flavor.
  • Wine: Dry white wine is optional; however it does add a depth of flavor. Use any dry wine you like, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc.
    • Swap: Substitute broth instead.
  • Broth: You can use chicken broth or vegetable broth to create the base for the creamy cheese sauce.
  • Pasta: The recipe calls for fettuccine; however, you can use whatever pasta shape you love, such as spaghetti.
  • Cream Cheese: A block of room temperature Philadelphia cream cheese provides rich, tangy flavor and plenty of creamy texture. Be sure to use full fat cream cheese for the best texture.
  • Milk: You’ll need whole milk (half-and-half or heavy cream) to thin the cream cheese pasta sauce.
  • Parmesan: A generous dusting of parmesan cheese adds the perfect pop of salty, complex flavor. Please grate the parmesan yourself for the best flavor (non of that green can stuff).
  • Herbs: Fresh parsley and/or fresh basil leaves lend a ton of bright, fresh flavor and really bring this Italian pasta recipe to life.

Recipe substitutions

  • Italian seasoning is a blend of herbs majorly made up of basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage, and marjoram. If you do not have this, you can check your spice rack for any of the above herbs mentioned and use a combination of them. Check out my homemade Italian Seasoning for the perfect ratio blend. I also included a list of add-ons that you can try. 
  • White wine adds complexity to the pasta, and the alcohol will diminish significantly during cooking. If you skip it, I recommend finishing the pasta with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
  • Fettuccine is ideal for this recipe. However, feel free to use any type of pasta you love. Make sure to follow the package instructions for the cooking time. 
  • Milk: If you find you don’t have any milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream to thin the Philadelphia cream cheese sauce, simply use some of the pasta water!
  • Aside from flat-leaf parsley and basil, you can also garnish this cheese pasta recipe with various fresh herbs, such as chives, scallions, thyme, and oregano.
Close-up photo of Philadelphia cheese pasta sauce with garlic and parmesan cheese.

Cream cheese pasta sauces: variations

What amazes me about this easy Philly cheese pasta is how simple yet beautifully flavored it is! And its simplicity opens itself up to a world of variations that make pasta time more exciting! Here are a few ways for you to sass your Cream Cheese Pasta up! 

Salmon Cream Cheese Pasta 

Add a few tender slices of salmon – whether it be grilled, pan-fried, baked, poached, or a gravlax of salmon – it will give your pasta dish a more elegant flair! Turn your homey cheese pasta into a restaurant-worthy dish by adding fresh spinach and serving it topped with baked salmon filets! All you need is your favorite red wine to enjoy a romantic dinner for two! Other seafood options are tuna, shrimp, and mussels. 

Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta

If you are making this for a bunch of hungry people, adding some protein-rich chicken meat is the way to go! You can use rotisserie chicken or any leftover cooked chicken you may have on hand and toss it in for a hearty rich creamy cheese pasta lunch or dinner. (Tip: I like to keep this perfectly meal-prep-able poached chicken breasts on hand for easy meals like this.)

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Tomato Pasta

If you have juicy, plump fresh tomatoes, marinated cherry tomatoes, or even a jar of sun-dried tomatoes begging to be used, toss them in this pasta dish with cream cheese! The addition of tomatoes will bring nothing but more flavor to an already fantastic dish! Saute the tomatoes together with the shallots and garlic. 

Vegetable Philadelphia Cheese Pasta

Some of the best veggies you can add to this philadelphia pasta with cream cheese include: artichoke hearts, olives, roasted bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, and arugula.

You can also try other vegetables and see where that takes you! Saute any “hard veggies” with the aromatics, so they turn out tender. However, soft and green leafy vegetables like spinach and arugula should  be added later on. 

Meaty Pasta with Cream Cheese

This version is for meat lovers! Bacon and prosciutto are great in this cheese pasta recipe. They are light enough to keep the pasta from being overly savory but meaty enough to satisfy your tummies! 

Angled photo of pasta cream cheese in a white serving bowl.

How to make cream cheese sauce pasta

This cream cheese sauce pasta is so easy to make! Everything comes together in one pot with just a few simple ingredients and 30 minutes!

  1. Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in a large deep skillet and sauté the shallots and garlic with Italian seasonings, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper; cook until soft.
  2. Deglaze: Add the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the wine has mostly evaporated.
  3. Add broth + pasta: Add the broth and pasta into the skillet, arranging the noodles so they lay flat in the skillet. Season the broth with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Bring to boil: Increase the heat and bring the broth to a slow boil. As soon as the broth starts to boil, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer.
  5. Cover + cook: Cover the skillet and let the pasta cook for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, give the pasta a good stir. Return the lid and continue to simmer for 6-10 minutes, or until pasta is almost al dente.
  6. Add cream cheese: Reduce the heat and whisk the cubes of cream cheese into the starchy pasta water.
  7. Add milk + parmesan: Add the milk and parmesan cheese. Stir the fettuccine pasta until a smooth, creamy sauce forms. If the pasta sauce is too thick, thin with a bit of milk until desired consistency is reached.
  8. Finish + serve: Sprinkle the parsley over the pasta. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve with extra cracked black pepper and shaved parmesan. Enjoy immediately!

Tips for making the best cheese cream pasta sauce

  • Room temperature cheese! I recommend removing the cream cheese from the refrigerator and cubing it before you start gathering and preparing the other ingredients. This will ensure that they melt and meld more seamlessly into the broth-y sauce.
  • Large pot! If the pot you are using is too narrow, break the fettuccine noodles in half so that they will lay flat in the skillet. Submerge the noodles fully in the broth so they cook evenly.
  • Al dente pasta! Always check the package instructions when cooking pasta. If you plan to use smaller pasta pieces, reduce the cooking time, so they do not turn mushy. Al dente is the goal here! 
  • Use milk to taste! The milk will thin out the philadelphia cheese sauce. The amount needed will depend upon how thick and creamy you like your pasta sauce. Note that the pasta will thicken as it cools, so if it looks a bit on the runny side before you take it off the stove, that is fine.
  • Adjust the heat! You can modify the amount of red pepper flakes to match your preference. If you want to make kid-friendly creamy cheese pasta, you can just skip this ingredient altogether.
Close-up photo of philadephia cheese sauce coating pasta noodles.

FAQs: frequently asked questions 

Below you will find common questions and answers pertaining to this pasta recipe with philadelphia cream cheese. If you have a question you’d like answered, please drop it in the comments section below!

Can I omit the wine?

If you prefer to leave the wine out, you can! Simply omit that step from the recipe. However, please note that the wine adds acidity to this philadelphia cheese sauce for pasta. Therefore, if you omit it, I recommend finishing the pasta with a  fresh lemon juice or Balsamic Vinegar before serving.

Can I reduce garlic?

Yes, you may. I find using 3 to 4 cloves to be suited for this creamy cheese pasta recipe. But if you are not a garlic fan, you can reduce it to 1 or 2 cloves. On the other hand, if you like it extra garlicky, adding a clove or two also works! 

Is this pasta with philadelphia cheese vegetarian-friendly?

Everything on the ingredient list is appropriate for a vegetarian diet – except for the chicken broth and parmesan cheese. You can use vegetable broth instead and dairy-free parmesan cheese to make cream cheese pasta sauces vegetarian. 

Can I make creamy cheese pasta vegetarian?

This philadelphia cheese pasta sauce with cream cheese is easy to adapt to suit a vegan diet! Just make the necessary dairy-free substitutions for butter, milk, and cheese, then use vegetable broth.

Serving pasta with cream cheese sauce

How to serve this pasta recipe?

Pasta cream cheese is best when enjoyed hot and ultra-creamy, straight from the pan! Place the cooked cheese pasta on individual serving plates and garnish them to your liking with freshly-grated parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes and fresh herbs!

What to serve with philadelphia cream cheese pasta?

This cream cheese pasta recipe is hearty enough to enojoy on its own as a complete meal. However, of course you can serve it with various sides, from rolls to salads and seasonal veggies. Below are a few side dish ideas to help inspire:

How to store pasta recipes with cream cheese? 

If you have leftovers, allow the pasta cream cheese to cool down completely before transferring them into an airtight container. You can store leftover pasta in the fridge, and it should stay good for up to three days.

When you are ready to eat, you can simply reheat individual portions in the microwave or bigger batches on the stovetop! If the Philadelphia cream cheese pasta sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of broth or milk to make it creamy again. I do not recommend freezing, as the white sauce can become grainy when thawed. 

Overhead photo of cream cheese sauce pasta garnished with fresh parsley and shaved parmesan cheese in a white skillet.

So next time you are in need of a quick yet reliable dish made to impress, this Cream Cheese Pasta recipe is it! It’s something that you can whip up in a flash, but tastes like a million bucks!

Craving MORE? Follow all the deliciousness on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!

More creamy cheese pasta recipes!

If you love this one pot parmesan pasta, try one of these creamy noodle recipes next!

How to make the best cream cheese pasta recipe!👇

Below is the complete printable recipe card, along with some of the step-by-step photos! Scroll up for more in-depth instructional photos!

Overhead photo of cooked fettuccine with Philadelphia cream cheese pasta sauce in a large skillet.

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Sauce Pasta

5 from 2 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Craving rich, flavorful pasta without the fuss? This one pot, 9 ingredient Philadelphia Cream Cheese Pasta recipe is just the ticket! Creamy, cheesy, and ready in mere minutes, this pasta sauce is perfect for busy weeknight dinners or anytime you need a quick, yet satisfyingly cozy meal.

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet – for cooking philadelphia pasta sauce and pasta
  • 1 Kitchen Utility Spoon – for stirring
  • 1 Whisk – for whisking

Ingredients 

  • 3 TBS Unsalted Butter
  • 1 large Shallot – small dice
  • 3-4 Cloves Garlic – thinly sliced
  • 1 ½ tsp Italian Seasonings (SEE NOTES)
  • ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – or more to taste
  • To Taste Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/3 Cup Dry White Wine – optional (SEE NOTES)
  • 3 Cups Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth (substitute: vegetable broth)
  • 12 ounces Fettuccine (SEE NOTES)
  • 6 ounces Block-Style Cream Cheese – cut into small cubes (SEE NOTES)
  • ¼ Cup Whole Milk – more or less, to taste (SEE NOTES)
  • 1 Cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese – plus more for garnish
  • 3-4 TBS Fresh Flat-leaf Parsley – plus more for garnish

Instructions

  • Sauté Aromatics: Melt the butter in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the shallots, garlic, Italian seasonings, and red pepper flakes. Season to taste with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until shallots are soft, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Deglaze the Pan: Add the wine and increase the heat to medium-high. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the wine has mostly evaporated, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add Broth and Pasta: Pour the broth into the skillet. Add the pasta, arranging the noodles so they lay flat in the skillet, submerged in the broth. Season the broth with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • Bring Contents to a Boil: Increase the heat to high and bring the broth to a slow boil. As soon as the broth starts to boil, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Stir the pasta once.
  • Cover and Cook the Pasta: Cover the skillet and let the pasta cook for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, give the pasta a good stir. Return the lid and continue to simmer for 6-10 minutes, or until pasta is almost al dente.
  • Add Cream Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and add the cubes of cream cheese to the pan. Whisk the cream cheese into the broth.
  • Add Milk and Parmesan: Once the cream cheese is completely melted, add the milk and parmesan cheese. Stir the pasta until a smooth, creamy sauce forms. If the sauce is too thick, thin with a bit of milk until desired consistency is reached. (Note: Pasta will thicken as it sits!)
  • Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the parsley over the pasta cream cheese. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve with extra cracked black pepper and shaved parmesan. Enjoy immediately while warm!

Notes

  • Italian Seasoning: You can use homemade or store-bought Italian seasoning. Alternatively, you can use any combination of the following dried herbs in a pinch – basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary and/or sage.
  • Wine: White wine adds complexity to the pasta and the alcohol will diminish significantly during cooking. But, if you prefer to leave the wine out, you can! Simply omit that step from the recipe. However, please note, the wine adds acidity to the pasta. Therefore, if you omit it, I recommend finishing the pasta with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
  • Pasta Shape: You can use any type of pasta you love in this recipe – just adjust the cook time accordingly.
  • Fettuccine: If your pan is narrow, break the fettuccine in half so that it will lay flat in the skillet, submerged in the broth.
  • Cream Cheese: While not mandatory, it is best if your cream cheese is at room temperature! Room temp cubes of cream cheese will melt and meld more seamlessly into the broth-y sauce. Tip: I recommend removing the cream cheese from the refrigerator and cubing it before you start gathering and preparing the other ingredients.
  • Milk: The milk is used to thin the cream cheese sauce. The amount needed will depend upon how thick and creamy you like your pasta sauce.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and the nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 4 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 578kcal    Carbohydrates: 70g    Protein: 28g    Fat: 19g    Saturated Fat: 11g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g    Monounsaturated Fat: 6g    Trans Fat: 1g    Cholesterol: 123mg    Sodium: 765mg    Potassium: 607mg    Fiber: 4g    Sugar: 6g    Vitamin A: 817IU    Vitamin C: 5mg    Calcium: 509mg    Iron: 3mg
Course: entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian

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