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Test Kitchen Approved

Cream Cheese Spaghetti

Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

About

The spaghetti in this Cream Cheese Spaghetti is of course tender and wonderful, but it's not the real star. No ma'am, that would be the sauce. Oh, what a sauce! Creamy, tangy, savory, and loaded with bacon and cheese... it's what makes Cream Cheese Spaghetti such a delectable and desirable dish any day of the week! Dig in and find out why it's so easy to love!

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Ingredients

  • 5 slices bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, optional, diced, for garnish

Directions

Step 1 -In a large nonstick skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-8 minutes.

Step 2 -Transfer the bacon from the pan. Drain the fat from the skillet and wipe it clean.

Step 3 -Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil.

Step 4 -Add the spaghetti and cook to al dente, according to the package directions.

Step 5 -Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, and then drain the spaghetti.

Step 6 -Heat the same skillet used to cook the bacon over medium heat.

Step 7 -Melt the butter in the skillet.

Step 8 -Add the garlic and the red pepper flakes and sauté until aromatic, about 2 minutes.

Step 9 -Add the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 10 -Add the cream cheese to the pan, stirring it into the broth mixture until it melts, about 6-7 minutes.

Step 11 -Add the parmesan cheese and stir until it melts.

Step 12 -Add the bacon, reserving a small amount for garnish, and the black pepper, stirring to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add 1/4 cup of the pasta water, adding more as needed until it reaches the desired consistency.

Step 13 -Toss the spaghetti thoroughly in the sauce.

Step 14 -Garnish with the reserved bacon and the fresh parsley.

Step 15 -Serve.

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