Cream Cheese Pasta
Ingredients
- 350 grams pasta
Fettucine, spaghetti or your preferred pasta
- 3-4 cups sweet potato)
diced/cubed (approx. 1 large sweet potato
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 150 grams halloumi
thickly sliced
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 3-4 cloves garlic
crushed
- 250 grams cream cheese
softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup pecorino cheese
fresh, finely grated
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
reserve water from pasta before draining, plus a little extra to set aside, just in case
- salt and pepper to taste
- baby spinach leaves
Directions
- 1
Pre-heat oven or air fryer to 200C°. Place the diced sweet potato cubes onto a lined baking tray (or air fryer basket) and spray with a little oil spray. Roast the sweet potato for around 15 minutes (oven)/10 minutes (air fryer), or until golden and cooked through, turning halfway.
- 2
While the sweet potato is cooking, place the pasta into a large pot of boiling, salted water (2 litres of water and one teaspoon salt) and cook according to the packet instructions, until al dente.
- 3
While the pasta is cooking, add the pine nuts to a dry pan and toast over medium heat, stirring frequently, until lightly browned. Remove the pine nuts from the heat and set aside.
- 4
Add the halloumi to the same pan and fry both sides, until golden brown. Set aside with the pine nuts.
- 5
Next, prepare the pasta sauce. Cook the oil and garlic together on low heat until soft and fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- 6
Carefully remove 1 cup of water from the boiling pasta and set aside. Add the cream cheese to the pan with the garlic and pour the pasta water over the top. Stir until smooth and combined.
- 7
Remove the pan from the heat and add the pecorino cheese to the sauce. Stir until smooth and combined.
- 8
Add the spinach and stir until wilted. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- 9
Add the drained pasta, roasted sweet potato, pine nuts and halloumi to the pan and stir. Test the consistency and add a little more reserved pasta water, if needed. Serve immediately with extra pecorino and cracked pepper. Enjoy!
Cream Cheese Pasta
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Searching for an effortlessly delicious weeknight meal that tastes like it took hours but comes together in just 20 minutes? This Cream Cheese Pasta is your answer, delivering ultimate comfort in a flash. It's the perfect solution for those evenings when you crave something rich and satisfying without the fuss.
What makes this Cream Cheese Pasta truly special is its incredible simplicity, transforming humble ingredients like sweet potato and cream cheese into a rich, satisfying dish. The combination of softened cream cheese and reserved pasta water creates a luxuriously smooth sauce without needing a complex roux or lengthy cooking, making it perfect for busy evenings.
Prepare for a wonderfully creamy and deeply satisfying pasta experience that is both rich and surprisingly balanced. You'll enjoy tender pasta coated in a velvety, savory sauce, brightened by the natural sweetness of perfectly roasted sweet potato and the delightful crunch of golden, toasted pine nuts. The pan-fried halloumi adds a salty, chewy counterpoint that’s irresistible, while fresh, finely grated Pecorino cheese layers in an extra dimension of savory depth, making every bite a comforting delight perfect for any evening.
This Cream Cheese Pasta is wonderfully adaptable to what you have on hand or your personal preferences. While the recipe suggests Fettuccine or spaghetti, feel free to use your preferred pasta shape, such as penne or rotini, which would also hold the creamy sauce beautifully. If Pecorino cheese isn't readily available, a good quality Parmesan would make a delicious substitute, offering a similar salty, nutty flavor profile. For a different textural element, you could try adding toasted walnuts or pecans instead of pine nuts for a rich, earthy crunch.
Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a casual gathering with friends, this pasta is best served immediately, garnished with fresh baby spinach leaves for a pop of color and freshness. A simple green salad would make a lovely accompaniment.