Description
This is your weeknight lifesaver—ultra-creamy pasta made with everyday ingredients and one pan. No heavy cream, no fuss. Just buttery garlic, silky cream cheese, and pasta water magic that turns dinner into comfort food fast.
Ingredients
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12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
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4 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
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2 tbsp butter
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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½ cup reserved pasta water (plus more as needed)
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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Optional: grated Parmesan, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes
Instructions
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Cook the pasta:
Boil pasta in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain. -
Sauté the garlic:
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook ~60 seconds until fragrant (don’t brown). -
Make it creamy:
Lower heat. Add cream cheese and ¼ cup reserved pasta water. Stir until smooth and saucy. -
Combine:
Add pasta to the skillet. Toss, adding more pasta water a little at a time until glossy and well coated. -
Season & serve:
Season with salt and pepper. Finish with Parmesan, herbs, or chili flakes if you like.
Notes
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Soften the cream cheese first to avoid lumps.
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Pasta water is key—it emulsifies the sauce. Save extra!
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Low heat keeps the sauce silky, not grainy.
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Finish cooking in the sauce for the last minute so the pasta absorbs flavor.