Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce

This cream cheese pasta sauce is super simple, fast, and great for when you don't have many ingredients in your fridge! Ready in about 20 minutes.

📝 Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked pasta
• 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 1 tablespoon butter (softened)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, or to taste)
• Salt & pepper (to taste)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Boil a pot of water for the pasta and cook it al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the hot pasta water.
2. 2Meanwhile, cut the cream cheese into smaller pieces and microwave it until very soft (try 20-30 second intervals). Prep all ingredients so they're ready to go as soon as the pasta is cooked.
3. 3Return the drained pasta to the pot it was cooked in, and quickly add the cream cheese and butter. Cover the pot and let it sit for about a minute (this helps it soften up more).
4. 4Uncover the pot and add in the garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and parsley.
5. 5Add about 1/4 cup of the hot pasta water to the pot, and start tossing it, gradually adding more of the water until the cheese has melted into a creamy sauce. You may not use up the entire cup of water.
6. 6Season with salt & pepper to taste and serve. This pasta is best enjoyed right away.