Easy as 1-2-3

The easiest cream pasta sauce ever only takes three main ingredients!  This concoction can work for a variety of pastas and probably other dishes that I haven't even considered.  Other uses may come to me as I think about it. 

The three ingredients are cream cheese, milk, and butter (no, I am not Paula Dean, but I bet we are related in some way). Most of us usually have these on hand in some capacity; so it can be a last minute go-to meal. This sauce is microwave friendly; so it is a cinch to whip up on short notice. 

Since day light savings time is here, my husband and I often look at the clock and do not realize what time it actually is.  Usually it's after dinner time, and I have not even thought about a thing to prepare.  Those are the times a dish like this comes in so handy. 

1-2-3 Pasta Cream Sauce

1- 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/3 c. milk
3 T. Butter


In a microwave- safe dish, cube the cream cheese.

Add the milk

Add the butter

Microwave on high for 2 1/2 minutes.

Use a large whisk to cream everything together.  If it is a little lumpy, put it back into the microwave for a minute or so. 

Whisk again, and it should be smooth and creamy. (If it seems a bit too thick, add a bit of milk.) That's it!  No kidding!

Seasoning:

I usually add pepper and a smidge of garlic pwd.  (Add salt if you think it needs it.  Just salt your pasta water really well, and it probably won't need much additional salt.)

Serve this with your favorite pasta.  I like linguine for this.  It can stand up to the sauce which is a little thicker than a tomato based sauce.

Ideas:

• If you like a sharper taste such as an Alfredo style, throw in a handful or two of Parm. cheese.  This will probably thicken it; so you should probably add a little more milk.
• For a light version, use low or no fat cream cheese, skim milk, and a lighter butter or marg. (It seems to make little difference in the taste or texture.)
• For a heartier main meal, mix in cooked chicken or shrimp.
• For a more elegant look for company, top it with a grilled, sliced chicken breast with some fresh herbs sprinkled on top. (Parsley or French tarragon would be great.)
• Serve with shrimp scampi on the side with herbs.
• For a meatless version, mix in slightly steamed veggies such as carrots, squash, broccoli, mushrooms, spinach.....whatever you like - make it yours!
• This also makes a great sauce to use as one of the layers in lasagna.  Wow!
• This cream can be mixed into a meat/tomato sauce.  It adds creaminess, flavor, and gives it a pretty blush color.
• If you are serving a large pasta meal to family or friends, make both the meat sauce and the cream sauce to give your guests a choice....hint....they usually want both...hahaha.

Additional thoughts:

• I have not tried this, but I bet this would make a great topping for a veg dish like broccoli or cauliflower.  Also use it for a frozen California blend.
• Oh, oh...squirt in a bit of lemon juice to make an easy hollandaise sauce!  This would be delicious on eggs benedict or grilled veggies.
• It might even be a super topping for a burger!  That sounds good; I will probably try that!

We all lead such busy lives that  having a quick go-to meal serves a great purpose.  Try this soon; I think you will really enjoy it. 

Until next time, friends