Cream Cheese Pasta Bake
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Cream Cheese Pasta Bake is a spin-off of the Baked Feta Pasta that went viral on TikTok in early February 2021!
I am usually not one for trends or even trying out recipes seen on TikTok, but this one I had to try and make my own version.
I am a huge fan of feta cheese, I love it in salads and even on egg dishes too. But, my hubby isn’t too fond of feta so I made this pasta bake with cream cheese instead and it did not disappoint!
Ingredients you will need:
With just a few simple ingredients you’ll be able to whip up this delicious weeknight meal and I know you’ll be as obsessed with it as we are!
You can scroll down to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
- Cherry Tomatoes: cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes work best for this recipe.
- White onion: I love the flavor that onion adds to this dish. Yellow onion works fine, too!
- Sun-dried tomatoes: adding spinach and sun-dried tomatoes gives this dish a Tuscan feel. I usually add in some of the oil from the jar that the sun-dried tomatoes are in, too, for a boost of flavor!
- Olive oil: opt for a good quality olive oil. The olive oil coats all of the ingredients and helps prevent anything from sticking to the casserole dish.
- Seasonings: garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Feel free to experiment with other seasonings, such as oregano, thyme, roasted garlic, etc.
- Cream cheese: Full-fat cream cheese is what I use, but a reduced-fat cream cheese will do the job, too!
- Fresh spinach: stir in the fresh spinach at the end. It will wilt right into the warm dish!
- Basil: to garnish
- Pasta: I used mini bow tie pasta noodles, but you can use any pasta shape you prefer! Pick your favorite shape and switch it up for fun!
Step by Step Directions
It’s really so EASY you guys. I could almost do it in my sleep! You can scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe instructions.
Pour & stir!
Add the cherry tomatoes, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into an oven-safe casserole dish. Stir to combine.
Add cream cheese block
Nestle the cream cheese block in the center of the ingredients.
Bake & stir!
Bake for ~35-40 minutes. Then stir it all together, gently smashing down the tomatoes to help create a sauce.
Add spinach & pasta!
Stir in the spinach and cooked pasta, taste and adjust seasonings, and that’s it!
Mmmmm
Garnish with fresh basil, and dig in!
Tips and FAQs
- Add a protein! We love this with chicken or even chicken sausage. It would be delicious with shrimp, salmon, or tofu too!
- Use your favorite pasta shape: Linguine, bow tie, penne, spaghetti, etc. The options are endless!
- Add in more veggies: Mushrooms, bell peppers and asparagus are yummy options. Swap out the spinach with another green like kale!
- Can I make it with another type of cheese? I haven’t tested this recipe with another type of cheese but of course feta cheese is an option and I bet Boursin would be really yummy.
shop this post
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Cream Cheese Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 20 oz. cherry tomatoes (2 pints)
- 1/2 small white onion, minced
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 oz. full-fat cream cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, gently torn
- 8 oz. pasta of choice, cooked
- basil (optional garnish)
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Pour the cherry tomatoes, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into an oven-safe casserole dish. Stir to combine.20 oz. cherry tomatoes (2 pints), 1/2 small white onion, minced, 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, to taste
- Nestle the cream cheese in the center.8 oz. full-fat cream cheese
- Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes. (Until the cheese is golden and looks like it's about to fall apart).
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta of choice according to package directions. Drain.8 oz. pasta of choice, cooked
- Remove the casserole dish from the oven. Smash the tomatoes down using a spoon and stir the cream cheese until it creates a sauce.
- Stir in the spinach until wilted, and then stir in cooked pasta. Taste and adjust, adding more salt or pepper as desired.2 cups fresh spinach, gently torn
- Serve and garnish with basil. Enjoyyyy!!basil (optional garnish)
Video
Notes
- Storage: Allow pasta dish to cool then transfer to an air tight container. Store in fridge for 3-4 days.
- Add a protein of choice to make this a more satisfying meal! Chicken, bacon, grilled shrimp, salmon, steak, tofu, etc.
- Use any pasta shape you prefer.
- Make sure the sun dried tomatoes are mixed in the dish to prevent them from burning.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!!!! I doubled the recipe and tripled the spices ( I love lots of flavor) added deli chicken and fresh garlic bread and everyone loved it!!! THANK YOU!!
Hi Mona! OMG that sounds amazing. Thank you so much for making!! Glad you loved it. xo, Tawnie
Really easy to put together. Very smooth and just a,kick from the sun dried tomatoes. This will be a go to recipe. Thank you!
Delicious and so easy! I added shrimp and used angel hair pasta! Will make this a quick go to in my “what’s for dinner” book.
This was amazing. I almost forgot to take a picture before I was halfway done.
love it!! looks absolutely amazing, thank you for the review and for leaving a photo 🙂
I made mine with dairy free cream cheese and it was yummy! Added onion power, garlic powder and a bit of paprika too! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
This was amazing!! I made it in the crockpot and it turned out great!!! Thanks Tawnie..it’s gonna be a staple from here on it. So easy and tasty..
Susanna
you’re quick!!! thank you sooo so much. Brownie bread, I think that’s what I need to call it from now on 🙂 thank you again!
Fabulous! Almost forgot to take a picture until we were all dished up. I added shredded chicken, but followed recipe exactly as posted. Can’t wait for the leftovers tomorrow. Will be making a very short reel with your tag – let me know if you want it to stay or removed.
Loved it! Delicious easy meal. Thank you!
so glad you enjoyed it 🙂 thank you!
Omg this recipe is absolutely so delicious!! I’ve been following KrollsKorner on instagram for a while and this was my first recipe to try! This will absolutely be in my rotation! I added a little bit of the pasta water and some heavy cream to make the sauce go a little further and added some shaved Parmesan! So so good!!!!!
Hi Jill! thank you soo much for making it. Glad you enjoyed 🙂 I appreciate you leaving a review!!
Delicious & too easy!
Omg! It is rare to find a recipe that is super delicious and with a low preparation time! A+
I am so happy you enjoyed it!! Thank you 🙂