So today I’m sharing one of my old standbys when it comes to quick and easy sides – Cream Cheese Noodles. These are creamy, garlicky, and oh so delicious!
This pasta dish is so easy to put together and only calls for 3 ingredients if you don’t count, salt, pepper, and water. And who counts those, right!?!?
The secret here is reserving some of that pasta water for the sauce like I mentioned back in my post for my Ultimate Baked Alfredo. So before you drain the noodles, scoop out a 1/2 cup (or a little more to be safe) of that starchy water to help make the sauce. Then all you have to do is whisk the cream cheese and that pasta water together to create a silky, luscious sauce your whole family is going to love!
You can even toss some grilled chicken on top and turn this easy side into an easy entree. You’ll just want to probably double the recipe if you’re going to serve it as a main course.
Easy Cream Cheese Noodles
Ingredients
- 8-ounces spaghetti
- 4-ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions. Before draining, dip out 1/2 cup of pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Return the pasta pot to the heat over medium low and add the reserved pasta water and the cubed cream cheese. Whisk together until the cream cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the garlic powder. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the pasta back to the pot and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Lisa says
My granddaughter was screaming for “something pizza” but she doesn’t care of marinara soooo……I used this recipe and added some tiny pepperoni, black olives and sautéed mushrooms. It was delicious!!
Stacey says
Those sound like some GREAT additions! Glad y’all enjoyed it!
Brandi jaymes says
Delicious! The garlic and ample salt and black pepper makes it pop!
I add extra cream cheese❤️
Stacey says
So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Linnie says
I made this recipe today and my husband and I both loved it. So easy and very tasty. We love Red Lobster, but don’t have one near us, so I made shrimp scampi and laid it on top of the noodles with a side of garlic bread. Oh my, so good. I will definitely be making this again and again. Thanks for the great recipe.
Stacey says
Wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
haley says
yummy! too much easiest dish. i made it too many times. sometimes it add in the topping of pizza, and some times put some vegetables and fruits on it and then it looks likes a salad and seems too much tasty.
thanks friend for telling this simple and tasteful recipe.
DeDe says
I added sour cream too. With the cream cheese is was awesome! Also you can add some diced tomatoes and it’s divine!
Stacey says
Great ideas!! Thanks for the tips!
Megan says
Made this & it was delish! Served w/ grilled chicken & sautéed spinach on the side👍
I wonder if the noodles would freeze well?
Stacey says
So glad you enjoyed it! I can’t say for sure on the freezing part, but I’m afraid the cream cheese sauce might not freeze well.
DB says
Don’t be so modest, I can turn this into a one serving dish. Looks fabulous! Thank you.
Stacey says
Ha! Enjoy!
Melanie says
This was so good! I topped it with some fried deer sausage. Very easy to make and very good!
Stacey says
So glad you enjoyed it, Melanie!
Gail Herbest says
I made this tonight, I used fine thin noodles instead of the spaghetti and I added more garlic powder to taste and spinkled with parsley , It is soooooooooo good!!! I will be making this again for sure
Stacey says
So glad to hear you enjoyed these!!
Kayla says
The recipe instructions are very confusing at the end. You add pasta then cream cheese and final spices then you go on and say for the last step to then add noodles which was already prompted for us to do so. Great recipe idea but a little confusing on the instructions.
Stacey says
Actually, that’s not quite the case. The instructions say to put the pot back on the heat, then to add the reserved pasta water, cream cheese, and whisk until smooth. Then add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. After that you return the actual pasta to the pot. I’m sorry that was confusing. I’m not sure of a more clear way to write those instructions. Maybe you misunderstood the pasta water to be the pasta?
Lauren says
This recipe is so good! I was looking for something to make with cream cheese and im so glad i chose this! I let my family taste and they loved it to! definetly reccomend!!
Stacey says
So happy to hear that!!
Olivia says
Making this now but boiling my noodles in chicken broth 😋
Stacey says
Sounds like a great way to add even more flavor! Hope you enjoy them!
Cathy H says
FIVE STARS from both hubby and myself. I cannot believe how tasty this is for such a simple to prepare dish. YUMMY! And……..I got to tell him that he can no longer say he doesnt like cream cheese. He always avoided anything with cream cheese in it. However, he actually said “make this any time you like” Thank you Stacey!!
Cathy from Toronto
Stacey says
Hello to my Canadian friend! I’ve had the chance to visit Toronto before and just loved it. I’m so glad to hear you and your hubby enjoyed this recipe!!
Melanie says
I added some spinach and served it as a side with some steak and mushrooms. Delicious!
Stacey says
Sounds great! Glad you enjoyed it!
Janet says
Would i do anything different if i want to turn this into those little muffin bite things where spagetty is baked in muffin tins to create finger food style?
This looks like such an amazing recipe and would like to have it easier to grab n go for grandkids party
Thank you for sharing it
Stacey says
Hmmm… I think it just might be trail and error. If you’re going to bake them, you’ll probably want some extra moisture in there so they don’t dry out.
Danielle F says
What did I do wrong? I followed the directions exactly, except I doubled it and added shredded chicken. It did not come out creamy at all! The cream cheese melted nicely as I whisked it in the pot with the starchy water. When I added the chicken and the noodles it almost feels like peanut butter stickiness instead.
Stacey says
Well, that’s strange. Since I can’t be in the kitchen with you, I can’t say for sure. Are you sure your measurements were correct? What kind of cream cheese did you use?