Cream Cheese Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients 8oz (225 grams) Pasta 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil 2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced ½ brown or white onion, finely diced ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional) ¾ cup (200 ml) tomato passata 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tbsp of chopped fresh basil) ½ cup (120 grams) cream cheese ¼ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water ¼ teaspoon fine salt, or to taste ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to serve

Directions

1.1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Before draining, scoop out about 1 cup of pasta cooking water.

2.2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, diced onion, and chili flakes. Cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant.

3.3. Add the tomato passata and dried basil to the skillet. Lower the heat and cook for 5 minutes.

4.4. Stir in the cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and ¼ cup of reserved pasta water. Stir until well combined and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

5.5. Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta in the creamy tomato sauce.

6.6. Turn off the heat and serve the creamy tomato pasta immediately. Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

7.Notes: You can add cooked beef or chicken pieces for extra protein. For a vegetarian option, add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.

Recipe Stats Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Calories per Serving: 380 Servings: 4

9.Indulge in this creamy and flavorful pasta dish that's quick and easy to make! 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tbsp of chopped fresh basil) ½ cup (120 grams) cream cheese ¼ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water ¼ teaspoon fine salt, or to taste ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to serve

Directions

1.1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Before draining, scoop out about 1 cup of pasta cooking water.

2.2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, diced onion, and chili flakes. Cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant.

3.3. Add the tomato passata and dried basil to the skillet. Lower the heat and cook for 5 minutes.

4.4. Stir in the cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and ¼ cup of reserved pasta water. Stir until well combined and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

5.5. Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta in the creamy tomato sauce.

6.6. Turn off the heat and serve the creamy tomato pasta immediately. Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

7.Notes: You can add cooked beef or chicken pieces for extra protein. For a vegetarian option, add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.

Recipe Stats Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Calories per Serving: 380 Servings: 4

9.Indulge in this creamy and flavorful pasta dish that's quick and easy to make!