Cream Cheese Added to Spaghetti Sauce Makes a Delicious Pasta Dish (2024)

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By

Linda Larsen

Linda Larsen

Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.

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Updated on 02/9/24

Tested by

Colleen Graham

Cream Cheese Added to Spaghetti Sauce Makes a Delicious Pasta Dish (1)

Tested byColleen Graham

Freelance writer and co*cktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

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Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 20 mins

Servings: 4to 6 servings

Yield: 1 pound

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Creamy tomato pasta is aneasy main dish recipe. It's an excellent use for cream cheese, simply combining it with a classic tomato sauce and spaghetti. It may sound a little unusual to add cream cheese to a pasta recipe, but it adds a tangy note and rich creaminess to the sauce. You can also add extra seasonings and other ingredients to the base recipe to fit your personal taste.

Bottarga Pasta Recipe

Ready in under 30 minutes, this creamy spaghetti is pure comfort food and a delicious meat-free weeknight dinner. It's also a great choice for a last-minute dinner party when served with toasted garlic bread, a crisp green salad, and rosé or red wine.The recipe makes a large batch of pasta, and it's likely that you'll have leftovers for lunch or another night's side.

Cream Cheese Added to Spaghetti Sauce Makes a Delicious Pasta Dish (3)

what you'll need to make this creamy pasta and tomato sauce recipe

A Nice Big Pasta Pot
A Sturdy Skillet
A Good Colander

"For a quick dinner that ensures everyone leaves the table full, this is a good choice. It’s very simple and easy, and the cream cheese is a tasty addition. It’s also highly adaptable, and I found that some classic Italian seasoning and a little salt and pepper gave it a nice flavor boost." —Colleen Graham

Cream Cheese Added to Spaghetti Sauce Makes a Delicious Pasta Dish (7)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • Kosher salt

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 medium coarsely chopped onion

  • 1 (26-ounce) jar tomato pasta sauce,or homemade tomato sauce

  • 3 tablespoons water

  • 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

  • 1 pound spaghetti or fettuccine

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cubed

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

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  2. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.

    Cream Cheese Added to Spaghetti Sauce Makes a Delicious Pasta Dish (9)

  3. Meanwhile, heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion. Cook, stirring often until the onion is tender and just starts to brown around the edges, 5 to 6 minutes.

    Cream Cheese Added to Spaghetti Sauce Makes a Delicious Pasta Dish (10)

  4. Add the pasta sauce to the onion mixture. Add the water to the empty jar, close and shake to loosen the rest of the pasta sauce. Add to the skillet with the canned tomatoes. Lower the heat to a simmer, stirring frequently, so the mixture doesn't burn on the bottom.

    Cream Cheese Added to Spaghetti Sauce Makes a Delicious Pasta Dish (11)

  5. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in the large pot of boiling water according to the package directions until al dente.

    Cream Cheese Added to Spaghetti Sauce Makes a Delicious Pasta Dish (12)

  6. A few minutes before the spaghetti is done, add the cream cheese to thepasta sauce. Whisk continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. The cream cheese may not dissolve completely in the sauce because the sauce is acidic, but that's OK. It will add the desired creamy texture and flavor.

    Cream Cheese Added to Spaghetti Sauce Makes a Delicious Pasta Dish (13)

  7. Drain the pasta and immediately add to the skillet with the sauce.

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  8. Toss to coat, adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, then serve.

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Tip

  • When cooking the pasta, be generous with the salt because it adds flavor to the pasta. As a general rule, use 2 tablespoons of salt per 1 gallon of water.
  • This recipe produces a large amount of pasta that can easily feed up to eight people when served with side dishes. If you'd like to make a smaller batch, reduce all of the ingredients by half and refrigerate the excess sauce, tomatoes, and cream cheese to use in another recipe.

Recipe Variations

  • Add whatever you like to this recipe. Good choices include minced garlic added just before the tomatoes, sliced mushrooms browned with the onion, grated carrots, black olives, or even some baby spinach leaves. It's delicious when topped with Parmesan cheese.
  • When adding the tomato, stir in a few teaspoons of dried herbs, such as basil, oregano, and parsley, or Italian seasoning (triple that amount when using freshly chopped herbs). You can also add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste before tossing in the pasta.
  • Vary the pasta shape if you like. For more of a casserole-style dish, use rigatoni or ziti and sprinkle a bit of Parmesan cheese on top. Add a few fresh basil leaves for fresh flavor.
  • To make this dish vegan, substitute silken tofu or vegan cream cheese and switch to vegan butter or use extra oil. If you use tofu, you may want to add a bit of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to give it the tangy sourness of genuine cream cheese.

How to Store

Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days. Keep it refrigerated and reheat gently in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop mixed with a few tablespoons water. Stir in a little more water if the pasta continues to sticks together.

Can Pasta Be Cooked in Sauce?

While you can cook pasta in a sauce, it really is best to cook the two elements separately. The time needed for perfectly cooked spaghetti doesn't always coincide with the sauce. By cooking the pasta on its own, you can pull it as soon as it's al dente and have it drained and ready to add to the sauce when it's needed.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
393Calories
22g Fat
40g Carbs
9g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories393
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g29%
Saturated Fat 10g49%
Cholesterol 46mg15%
Sodium 2088mg91%
Total Carbohydrate 40g14%
Dietary Fiber 5g18%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 13mg63%
Calcium 111mg9%
Iron 3mg14%
Potassium 739mg16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • pasta
  • creamy pasta sauce
  • dinner
  • american

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Cream Cheese Added to Spaghetti Sauce Makes a Delicious Pasta Dish (2024)

FAQs

Why do people put cream cheese in spaghetti? ›

Mixing cream cheese with the spaghetti noodles makes the whole dish rich, almost like lasagna without the work. All of the fresh veggies give the sauce so much flavor, with a subtle sweetness thanks to the carrots. The cheese mixture on top is the perfect gooey topping.

What do you add to pasta sauce to make it taste better? ›

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

How to make pasta more delicious? ›

The Easy Secrets to Way Better Pasta
  1. Make sure your cooking water is salty like the sea, and almost as plentiful. ...
  2. Check the package's cooking time, but don't put too much faith in it. ...
  3. Reserve a little pasta water. ...
  4. Never, ever rinse. ...
  5. Finish your pasta in its sauce.
Apr 16, 2017

Can I use cream cheese instead of heavy cream in pasta sauce? ›

Cream cheese will work as a one-to-one substitute for heavy cream. Keep in mind that cream cheese may alter the taste and texture of the final product, so make sure to use it in suitable recipes in which the flavors will work together, such as in creamy soups or cheesy sauces.

When not to use cream cheese? ›

If your cream cheese has been out of the fridge for at least two hours, it's no longer safe to eat and should be thrown out. However, if your cream cheese has not sat out for two hours, it can be refrigerated or frozen.

Why do Italians not put cheese on pasta? ›

Italian Pasta Rule #1:

So, when you add a dollop of grated cheese before even tasting your pasta, it's a bit like telling the cook that they forgot the salt. Most of the time, your sauce will be seasoned enough already. This is especially true for pasta with seafood.

What makes spaghetti sauce more flavorful? ›

Jarred tomato sauce is a supermarket staple and a quick, affordable dinner fix with many uses. Add fresh herbs to finish, or brown meat, onions, shallots, and/or garlic before heating the sauce. To add texture or change the flavor profile, add vegetables like red peppers or eggplant.

How do you make spaghetti sauce taste richer? ›

Add the rind from a piece of Parmesan cheese while simmering the sauce to add a bit of nutty, salty flavor. Before serving, grate high-quality Parmesan or pecorino cheese over the dish. Want something heartier? Spoon in a couple tablespoons of ricotta cheese for a rich and creamy tomato sauce.

How do you add richness to pasta sauce? ›

A hefty drizzle of olive oil stirred in off the heat is also a great move. And if you're feeling really spunky, add some meaty richness to that sauce: crisp some bacon or brown sliced sausages or ground meat. For some veggie richness, sauté mushrooms or caramelize fennel in plenty of olive oil.

How to fancy up spaghetti? ›

17 Of The Most Delicious Things You Can Do To Spaghetti
  1. Classic Spaghetti with Red Sauce. ...
  2. Shrimp Parmesan Sandwiches. ...
  3. Spaghetti a la Carbonara. ...
  4. Seared Scallops with Lemon Spinach Pasta. ...
  5. Spaghetti with Smoky Tomato Almond Sauce. ...
  6. Kung Pao Chicken Meatballs and Spaghetti. ...
  7. Kale Pasta with Walnuts and Parmesan.
Apr 10, 2016

What are 2 tips in making good pasta? ›

Avoid a pasta mishap by following these helpful cooking tips, then try some of our favorite easy recipes.
  1. Use a big enough pot. ...
  2. Use plenty of water. ...
  3. Season the pasta water — ...
  4. Let the water come to a boil first. ...
  5. Stir right away — and every couple minutes. ...
  6. Don't rely solely on the cooking time on your pasta's package.

Does cream cheese make pasta sauce thicker? ›

Another quick fix is to add cheese: freshly grated Parmesan will add umami and thicken the sauce. Cream cheese is one of our favorite secret ingredients and will thicken a tomato sauce quickly. On the downside, it will also change the flavor of the sauce.

What happens if I add heavy cream to spaghetti sauce? ›

Heavy cream will transform your sauce

Adding heavy cream to your jarred tomato sauce can transform it into a thicker, richer, creamy sauce that is velvety smooth. Your favorite premade sauce will not only become lighter in color, the cream will add a new depth of flavor to it.

Why put sour cream in spaghetti sauce? ›

Sour cream can enhance both the taste and texture of your pasta sauce. It works in a similar manner to when you add heavy cream to a pasta sauce, only it imparts a lovely tart flavor that is irresistible to the palate. Sour cream is a dairy product that has been fermented with lactic acid.

Why do people put cream in pasta? ›

There are about 60 million Italians, obviously there are people who like it and who use it but it's generally said that the cream covers the flavors and is used by those who cannot cook. Sometimes it's used for "dry" pasta dishes, which need a little creaminess, for example pasta with ham and peas.

Do Italians use cream cheese? ›

Italian cream cheese, or mascarpone, is commonly used in Italian desserts such as tiramisu, as well as in savory dishes like pasta sauces and risottos.

What does adding heavy cream to spaghetti sauce do? ›

Heavy cream will transform your sauce

Adding heavy cream to your jarred tomato sauce can transform it into a thicker, richer, creamy sauce that is velvety smooth. Your favorite premade sauce will not only become lighter in color, the cream will add a new depth of flavor to it.

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