Cream Cheese Pasta Bake: The Ultimate Creamy Comfort Dish

This Cream Cheese Pasta Bake is the epitome of comfort food. It’s rich, cheesy, and has an unbelievably creamy tomato sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds. If you’re looking for an easy and satisfying weeknight dinner that the whole family will love, you’ve found it. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy baked pasta dish with minimal effort.

We’ve all had the viral TikTok pasta, but this recipe takes that concept to a whole new level. We skip the block of feta and use velvety cream cheese to create a sauce that is perfectly smooth, tangy, and rich. This is the ultimate dump-and-bake upgrade that is guaranteed to become a staple in your meal rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Cream Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe

• Incredibly Creamy: The cream cheese melts into the tomato sauce to create a luxurious, velvety texture that coats every single piece of pasta.
• Family-Friendly: This is a crowd-pleasing dish that’s mild enough for kids but flavorful enough for adults to crave.
• Easy to Customize: You can easily add proteins like chicken or sausage, or pack it with your favorite vegetables.
• Perfect for Make-Ahead: Assemble it in advance and bake it right before dinner, making it perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining.

The Secret to the Creamiest Sauce: Key Ingredients

The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity. Using high-quality ingredients is the key to achieving the best flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

Cream Cheese

This is the star of our creamy pasta bake. Full-fat, block-style cream cheese will yield the richest, creamiest sauce. Let it soften to room temperature before using it to ensure it melts smoothly into the sauce without any lumps.

Pasta

Choose a short, sturdy pasta shape that can hold onto the delicious sauce. Rigatoni, penne, ziti, or rotini are all excellent choices. Their tubes and ridges are perfect for catching all the cheesy goodness.

Tomatoes

A large can of crushed tomatoes provides the perfect base for our sauce. It delivers a bright, robust tomato flavor that balances the richness of the cream cheese. If you have extra time, you could even make your own roasted cherry tomato sauce for a deeper flavor.

Seasoning & Aromatics

Garlic and onion create the foundational flavor base. Italian seasoning, a pinch of red pepper flakes for warmth, salt, and black pepper round out the sauce. Fresh basil, stirred in at the end, adds a touch of freshness that brightens the entire dish.

How to Make The Perfect Cream Cheese Pasta Bake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making this cheesy pasta casserole is incredibly straightforward. We’ll build the sauce in an oven-safe skillet or pot, mix in the pasta, top with cheese, and bake to bubbly perfection. This method minimizes dishes and maximizes flavor.

First, you’ll sauté the aromatics. Then, you’ll create the rich sauce by simmering the tomatoes, seasonings, and cream cheese until it’s perfectly melted and smooth. While the sauce simmers, you can cook your pasta. Remember to cook it just until al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Combine everything, top generously with mozzarella and Parmesan, and bake until golden and bubbly. It’s that simple!

Pro Tips for Recipe Success

• Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This is the most important tip! Softened cream cheese will melt seamlessly into the sauce. Cold cream cheese can result in a lumpy sauce.
• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta about 1-2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente. It will finish cooking in the oven, and this prevents it from becoming mushy.
• Salt Your Pasta Water: Generously salt your pasta water. This seasons the pasta from the inside out and is a crucial step for a flavorful final dish.
• Freshly Grated Cheese: For the best melt, grate your own mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting smoothly.

Delicious Variations to Try

While this Cream Cheese Pasta Bake is fantastic as is, it’s also a great canvas for additions. For a similar vibe with chicken, check out this one-pan creamy tomato chicken pasta.

• Add Protein: Stir in 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken, browned Italian sausage, or ground beef for a heartier meal.
• Veggie Packed: Add 2-3 cups of sautéed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.
• Spicy Version: Double the red pepper flakes or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the tomato sauce for an extra kick.
• Different Cheeses: Feel free to swap the mozzarella with a blend of Italian cheeses like provolone or fontina for a more complex flavor.

What to Serve with Your Pasta Bake

This creamy pasta bake is a satisfying meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides:

• A crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette.
• Garlic bread or crusty bread for soaking up the extra sauce.
• Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus.

This dish is incredibly versatile, making it one of our favorite healthy crockpot dinners to adapt for any occasion.

Storing, Reheating, and Freezing Instructions

One of the best parts about this cheesy pasta casserole is that it’s just as good the next day! Proper storage is key.

Storing Leftovers

Allow the pasta bake to cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating

You can reheat individual portions in the microwave. To reheat the entire dish, cover it with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Removing the foil for the last 5 minutes can help re-crisp the cheesy topping.

Freezing for Later

This recipe freezes beautifully. You can freeze it before or after baking. For best results, assemble the dish in a freezer-safe pan, allow it to cool, then cover it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, remove the plastic wrap, cover with foil, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 1 hour. Uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

More Delicious Dinner Recipes

If you love creamy pasta dishes, you’re sure to enjoy our reader-favorite Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo. It has all the creaminess with the convenience of a slow cooker!

Cream Cheese Pasta Bake

FL Recipes

Cream Cheese Pasta Bake: The Ultimate Creamy Comfort Dish

This Cream Cheese Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a ridiculously creamy and rich tomato sauce. It's an easy, cheesy, and satisfying weeknight dinner that the whole family will absolutely love.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 people

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 580

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 lb pasta such as rigatoni, penne, or ziti
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes 1 large can
• 8 oz cream cheese full-fat, softened to room temperature
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional, adjust to taste
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
• 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

• 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
• 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
• 1 Large Pot

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Stir in the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Add the softened cream cheese in chunks, stirring continuously until it has completely melted into the sauce and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
4. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir until every piece is well-coated with the sauce.
5. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.
6. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (or pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish if your skillet isn't oven-safe). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcalProtein: 25gFat: 28gFiber: 4g

Notes

Room Temperature Cream Cheese is Key: For the smoothest sauce, make sure your cream cheese is fully softened before adding it to the hot tomatoes.
Don't Overcook the Pasta: Cook it just until al dente, as it will continue to soften as it bakes in the oven.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Keyword baked pasta,cream cheese pasta,pasta bake

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