You will long for it 14 cheesy and creamy pasta recipes long after you’ve cleaned the record! Below are some of my best rich and creamy pasta dinners that taste like they belong in a restaurant, but you can make them right in your own kitchen.
Delicious creamy pasta recipes to try tonight
Mama me! Today we are talking about noodles. And not just any pasta: the creamy, cheesy, delicious kind. From a simple, silky fettuccine alfredo to cheese pasta casseroles and creamy chicken noodles, I’ve gone to great lengths to compile some of my favorite creamy pasta recipes.
My husband comes from an Italian family and his mother had a pasta dinner planned for every night of the week. Suffice it to say that we love our pasta here.
Now you want to make a creamy pasta dinner for every night of the week, too. If so, you can make one every night for two weeks with the 14 Cheesy and Creamy Pasta Recipes below at your fingertips. Plus helpful tips for the creamiest pasta dishes!
Why you will love these recipes
Aside from being stuffed with cheese and delicious all around, here are more reasons to love these homemade pasta recipes:
- Simple ingredients. You don’t have to hunt for exotic ingredients to create a delicious home-cooked meal that still tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant. The recipes below call for basic ingredients that pack great flavors.
- Familyfriendly. These rich and creamy pasta recipes are made to feed a crowd, large or small. If your family is anything like mine, almost anything loaded with cheese is a hit.
- Great for leftovers. What’s better than cheesy pasta for dinner? Cheese pasta for lunch the next day.
14 creamy and cheesy pasta dinner ideas
Let’s dive into some of my best cheesy and creamy pasta recipes. I just know that you will be amazed too! Don’t forget to scroll down for helpful tips on making the creamiest pasta, as well as general storage and reheating instructions.
Creamy beef noodles recipe
Who else grew up with Hamburger Helper? Wait till you get a batch of this cheesy noodle upgrade! This easy pasta recipe packs tons of flavor for a hearty family meal in about 30 minutes on the stovetop.
Creamy Angel Chicken Pasta
This Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta recipe is a comforting family meal of succulent baked chicken breasts served over angel hair pasta with a rich cream cheese sauce.
Philly cheesesteak mac and cheese
Spice up your homemade mac and cheese – literally – with roast beef along with sautéed onions and peppers in this delicious mashup of two comfort food favorites.
Creamy Tomato Shrimp Pasta
This is an easy shrimp pasta recipe that’s ready in 30 minutes and has a creamy tomato flavor with a spicy chilli kick.
Creamy Italian sausage pasta
You won’t believe how much flavor is squeezed into one pot of pasta with this cheesy Italian sausage pasta. There’s a reason Italian-inspired recipes are my favorite food, and it is.
Cheese and sour cream pasta casserole
This filling sour cream pasta casserole is an easy weeknight dinner anyone can make with a package of ground beef, egg noodles, some staples, and a casserole dish.
Creamy pumpkin and bacon noodles
Cozy and creamy, pumpkin pasta with bacon is the ultimate fall meal, made in one pot and flavored with nutmeg and chili.
Cheesy chicken and fly noodles
My chicken bow ties recipe has everything it needs. It’s cheesy, rich, and packed with tender chunks of chicken, flavorful veggies, and three different flavors of cream. Comfort food in short!
Simple Fettuccine Alfredo
We’re bringing it back to basics in the most delicious way: Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta! You can’t go wrong with a classic cheese pasta dish, and this one is a winner.
No Boil Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Let your crockpot do the heavy lifting with this easy, ultra-cheesy, no-cook slow cooker macaroni and cheese recipe. It’s the ultimate hands-free comfort food the whole family is crazy about.
Cancer Alfredo
This crab pasta recipe turns my classic alfredo into a seafood lover’s dream. Made with tender crab meat and fettuccine noodles tossed in a divine cheese sauce flavored with Old Bay. Pasta perfection.
Homemade egg noodles
Learn how to make egg noodles to use in your favorite creamy pasta recipes! Homemade pasta is a breeze, and this tutorial will walk you through it.
Cream Cheese Alfredo Sauce
This cream cheese alfredo sauce is ready in 15 minutes and tastes amazing. It’s perfect for spicing up busy weekdays!
Midwestern Five Cheese Casserole
For a true classic, you have to try this Midwestern Five Cheese Casserole. It’s like mac and cheese on steroids, with all manner of melty cheese baked in a casserole dish along with tender pasta.
When making the above pasta dinners, I always have a few tricks up my sleeve to ensure the pasta sauce comes out smooth and velvety. Here are some helpful tips for creamy pasta sauces, whether you’re making a stew or a cheese-filled casserole:
- Don’t cook the pasta too far in advance. It’s tempting to want to get a head start by cooking, draining, and waiting your pasta while you prep your other ingredients. But resist! Freshly cooked pasta contains a lot of starchy liquid that evaporates the longer the pasta sits, resulting in tougher, tougher pasta. Try to get the timing right and, if possible, add your pasta straight from the pot to the sauce.
- Save your pasta water. Even if you think you can’t use it! Pasta water contains a lot of extra starch, which is released from the pasta as it cooks. This starchy water is perfect for adding flavor and creaminess to sauces without having to add more cream. You don’t have to keep everything, but a cupful is usually good if you have it on hand.
- If your creamy pasta sauce is runny, This is usually because it has too much liquid and not enough starch to emulsify, or it hasn’t been cooked enough. Be sure to give the sauce enough time to simmer after adding liquids like milk or pasta water.
- Add cheese at the end. When cheese is overheated, a sauce can become oily and lumpy instead of silky. In most cases, the cheese goes into the sauce at the end to prevent overcooking and separating.
How to store and reheat creamy pasta
Most creamy pasta leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave. Of course, always refer to the specific instructions for each recipe.
Can I Freeze These Pasta Recipes?
Many of the recipes I’ve included are freezer friendly and can be made ahead of time and frozen. Be sure to store the pasta or casserole airtight and reheat within a few months (always check individual recipes to be sure!).
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