Last Updated on March 24, 2023 by Toya
Out of cream cheese? Making a creamy pasta recipe that calls for it? Need a quick substitute for cream cheese in pasta so you don’t have to scrap your whole recipe idea and find something else to make? This list has all the answers you will need! It share 10 easy ways to replace cream cheese in a pasta recipe.
Most creamy pasta dishes are made with a creamy sauce typically made with heavy cream. However, some recipes use cream cheese to make delicious recipes like cream cheese pasta sauce, vodka sauce, or even creamy mushroom sauce.
If you’re making a pasta recipe that calls specifically for cream cheese, the best option is to wait until you have cream cheese on hand.
But, if you don’t mind a little experimenting or a slight or big change in the flavor of the recipe, you can use some of the cream cheese substitutes listed below.
What are the best substitutes for cream cheese in a pasta recipe?
The short answer is that the best cream cheese alternatives in pasta are:
- Cream cheese powder
- Heavy whipping cream
- Heavy cream
- Half-and-half
- Crème Fraiche
- Sour cream
- Evaporated milk
- Whole milk & cornstarch
- Nondairy milk & roux
- Nondairy milk & cornstarch
- Vegan cream cheese
Common ways to substitute for cream cheese in pasta
Cream cheese powder
One ingredient that makes an excellent cream cheese substitute in pasta is cream cheese powder. This is a very handy product to keep in the kitchen and it makes a very delicious cream cheese pasta sauce! The trick is to let it rehydrate for about 1 hour before use and your pasta recipe will taste almost similar to pasta made with fresh cream cheese! I love keeping cream cheese powder on hand as it always saves me when I’m in a tight spot and don’t want to make a store run.
I purchase my cream cheese powder from amazon at a reasonable price. You can check it out if this sounds interesting to you.
To replace 8 oz of cream cheese in a pasta sauce recipe, simply mix 1 3/4 cups cream cheese powder with 1/2 cup water and let it rehydrate for 45 minutes to an hour.
This heavy cream powder is shelf stable and allows you to always have a cream handy for emergencies.
Heavy whipping cream
If you have heavy whipping cream, it can be used as a cream cheese substitute for pasta. Heavy whipping cream is similar to heavy cream but contains more milk fat so it’s richer.
Heavy cream
If you have some heavy cream in your fridge, you can also use it as a cream cheese substitute for pasta. Heavy cream will work well because it can add richness and creaminess to pasta easily. It will increase the fat content of the pasta dish so keep this in mind if you want to use it as a substitute.
Also, heavy cream is pourable so it’s quite easy to incorporate into any pasta sauce or creamy pasta recipe. Substitute 1 cup of heavy cream for 1 cup of cream cheese or a 1:1 substitute. (Also read more about the best substitutes for heavy cream in pasta here!)
Half-and-half
Half-and-half can also be used as a cream cheese substitute in pasta. Half-and-half is a dairy liquid made of equal parts milk and cream. Half-and-half is like milk, but creamier. If you want to make a creamy pasta recipe, half-and-half is a great option for you.
Crème Fraiche
Creme fraiche is a great substitute for cream cheese in pasta too. Creme fraiche works because it is similar to cream cheese in that it is slightly tart and creamy although not as dense as cream cheese. It is the best cream cheese substitute for cream cheese in pasta.
Substitute 1 cup of creme fraiche for 1 cup of cream cheese or a 1:1 conversion ratio.
Sour cream
While it may seem unlikely, sour cream works just as well as cream cheese in pasta and is thus an excellent cream cheese alternative for pasta.
It is the perfect option if you’re looking for a lighter sauce with an additional tangy flavor that still has some creaminess.
When sour cream is used to make pasta, is it usually used together with other ingredients like milk and a quick roux for the best results.
Here’s how to make creamy pasta with sour cream instead of cream cheese.
Every pound of pasta needs about 2 cups of pasta sauce. As such, to make 2 cups of pasta sauce with sour cream, you’ll need 1 cup of sour cream, 1 cup of milk, 2 tbsp of butter and 2 tbsp of flour, minced garlic plus some of your favorite seasonings and spices.
To make this sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan and cook the minced garlic until it is fragrant, then add the flour and cook to make a roux. Pour the cup of milk into the saucepan and simmer gently, then add the sour cream and mix well. Gently cook until the sauce thickens. Season this creamy sauce to taste with salt, ground black pepper, or a sub, and a few of your favorite spices of choice.
Whole milk + cornstarch
In the absence of cream cheese, whole milk, and cornstarch make a great replacement for cream cheese in pasta.
Whole milk and cornstarch are never used on their own, but with a combination of other ingredients like grated cheese, minced garlic, garlic powder, or a garlic powder alternative, salt, pepper, and dried parsley.
All these ingredients are combined to make an easy creamy pasta sauce without cream cheese. You can see how to make creamy pasta sauce with milk and cornstarch here.
Evaporated milk
If you can find it, evaporated milk can also work as a cream cheese substitute for pasta. Evaporated milk is creamy and rich and will make a flavorful creamy pasta sauce without cream. Start with ¾ cup of evaporated milk for every cup of cream cheese, then adjust if more is needed.
Diluted sweetened condensed milk is an excellent sub for milk. Grab a couple of cans and keep them in your pantry for emergencies.
Dairy free cream cheese substitutes for pasta
Nondairy milk and roux
If you don’t eat dairy, or you only have a non dairy type of milk available, a combination of non dairy milk and roux makes a great sub for cream cheese in pasta. Any type of dairy-free milk like coconut milk, almond milk, hemp milk, oat milk, etc can work.
To make this combination, make a roux with equal parts butter and flour in a saucepan. Then pour your non-dairy milk of choice into the saucepan and cook until it is gently thickened. Pour some shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or dairy free cheese) into the saucepan as well, then season with salt pepper, and other spices.
Cook until everything is well combined and delicious. Then pour the cooked pasta into the saucepan, coat with the sauce, and enjoy.
Nondairy milk and cornstarch
Nondairy milk and cornstarch can also work as a cream cheese alternative for pasta.
Vegan cream cheese
If you’re vegan, you can replace cream cheese with vegan cream cheese for pasta recipes. You can try out plain almond milk cream cheese by Kite Hill on amazon.
Pasta recipes that use cream cheese substitutes
Best Ways To Substitute For Cream Cheese In Pasta
Check out this simple cream cheese substitute for pasta made with just two ingredients! Also, check out 9 other easy cream cheese replacements for any pasta recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups of cream cheese powder
- ½ cup of water
Instructions
- To make cream cheese out of cream cheese powder, mix 1 ¾ cups of cream cheese powder together with ½ a cup of water.
- Then let this mixture sit for about 45 minutes so you get a consistency that is closer to cream cheese.
- Use it like you would use fresh cream cheese to make your pasta dish!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 ozAmount Per Serving: Calories: 140