This creamy cream cheese pasta is a simple and delicious vegetarian dish made with just 10 basic ingredients, ready in under 20 minutes. If you’re in the mood for a quick and easy creamy pasta that the whole family will love, this recipe is the perfect choice!
EQUIPMENT
- 1 large cooking pot (for pasta)
- 1 large pan or skillet (for the sauce)
- 1 whisk
- 1 strainer (to drain pasta)
INGREDIENTS
- 400 grams uncooked pasta
- 1.5 cups cream cheese
- 1 cup chopped spinach (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup sweet corn kernels (canned or frozen)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- Ground black pepper (to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Water (for cooking pasta)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Before draining, save 2 cups of pasta water.
- In a bowl, combine the cream cheese and pasta water, adding about ¼ cup at a time. Whisk until you achieve a smooth, creamy mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a pan. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute.
- Stir in the corn kernels, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook until the corn is heated through.
- Add the spinach and sauté until the leaves have wilted.
- Pour in the cream cheese mixture and cook, stirring continuously, for about 2 minutes, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta and stir until everything is combined. If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water, cream, or milk.
- Garnish with freshly ground pepper and chili flakes. Serve and enjoy!
NOTES
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta, or it will become mushy and spoil the dish. Cook it al dente for the best texture.
- When saving pasta water, collect it just before draining. This ensures enough starch remains to help thicken the sauce.
- For a simpler version, skip the spinach and corn—just a basic cream cheese sauce with garlic, chili flakes, salt, and pepper is still delicious!
- Add extra flavor by incorporating garlic powder and onion powder.
- Feel free to add more vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, peas, green beans, or carrots, to enhance the dish.
- For a richer sauce, use butter instead of olive oil.
- Cheese lovers can add grated cheese to the sauce for added richness.
- This dish can also be transformed into a creamy pasta bake.
- To make it gluten-free, simply substitute the pasta with a gluten-free variety. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Follow these tips and tricks for the perfect cream cheese pasta!
