Go Back
–+ servings
cream cheese pasta scooped up close
Print

🥣 Philadelphia Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce

If you're searching for a fast and effortless meal for those hectic nights, our Philadelphia Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce is the perfect solution! This recipe requires basic ingredients and comes together in less than 28 minutes. Try it tonight!
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Americanized Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 475.7kcal
Author Marcie & Julie

Equipment

  • 1 medium-large pot
  • 1 medium/large pan
  • 1 strainer

Ingredients

  • 1 pound short pasta gemelli is our favorite
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon salt divided
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped or minced
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 8 ounces cream cheese cubed and softened to room temperature 
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley or more

Instructions

  • Heat water for pasta in large pot, and add 1 teaspoon of the salt to the water. Once boiling, add pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain and return pasta to its pot.
  • Meanwhile, heat oil in a pot. Add garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until light brown and fragrant.
  • Add chicken broth, basil, pepper, onion powder and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir.
  • Add cream cheese and gently stir the cheese sauce mixture over low heat, until melted, being careful not to let it boil as this may cause it to curdle. Stir in parmesan and parsley until well blended.
  • Pour cream cheese sauce over pasta and stir together. Serve topped with extra parsley as desired.

Video

Notes

    • Salt the pasta water- this helps evenly season each noodle and ultimately enhances the flavor of the final dish.
    • Avoid overcooking pasta by boiling it al dente, which will prevent it from becoming mushy.
    • Make the Philadelphia cream cheese pasta sauce while noodles are cooking. That way the drained pasta will still be warm when it comes time to combine it with the cream cheese sauce.
    • Soften cream cheese to room temperature and break up into smaller chunks before adding it the sauce for easier blending/melting. 
    • Use two large spoons or these handy tongs to toss the gemelli pasta with the sauce.
    • We encourage you to eat this dish right away, since cream cheese sauces tend to not retain their original texture as they cool down.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 475.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 60.6g | Protein: 15.2g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5.8g | Cholesterol: 46.6mg | Sodium: 972.4mg | Potassium: 260.3mg | Fiber: 2.6g | Sugar: 3.7g | Vitamin A: 638.7IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 135.8mg | Iron: 1.3mg