6-Min Cream Sauce for Pasta – So Easy, So Quick

Step-by-Step Guide to the Best Cream Sauce for Pasta

Ready to cook? Let’s get right into it.

Prepare your ingredients first.

Take the cream, butter, and cheese out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking. This way they blend smoothly into the sauce. Grate the cheese with a fine grater so it melts nicely. Skip pre-grated cheese. It doesn’t melt as well. We’re using Gouda, but Cheddar works too.

How to make a creamy butter sauce for pasta?

Start boiling your pasta first. It takes longer to cook than the sauce. We’ll cook the pasta a little less than the package says and finish it in the sauce so it soaks up all the flavor.

While the pasta is cooking, make the easy cream sauce for pasta. Melt the butter, add the cream, then stir in the cheese and seasoning. Toss in the pasta and a splash of pasta water to make it silky and creamy.

Using ravioli? It’s a little different. Cook the sauce the same way, but don’t simmer the ravioli in it for a few minutes like you would with pasta. Just stir them in gently at the end — they’re delicate and can break.

That’s the recipe in a nutshell. Now let’s go over it step by step with all the details. This way you can follow along easily.

Cook the Pasta (or Ravioli)

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add salt.
• Add your pasta and cook it about 2 minutes less than what the package says. Why? Because we’ll finish cooking it in the sauce. This way, you get al dente pasta perfectly coated in creamy sauce. So, don’t overcook it!
• Before you drain the pasta, scoop out some pasta water. Jump to the next steps for pasta here.

Important tip: after draining, never rinse pasta or ravioli with cold water! If you do, the sauce won’t stick.

• If you’re using ravioli, cook them gently according to the package instructions. Unlike regular pasta, don’t reduce the cooking time. Try to time the sauce and ravioli so they’re ready at the same time. Start cooking the ravioli a few minutes before your sauce is done. For example, if they cook in 4 minutes, start them 4 minutes before the sauce is ready.
• Add salt and drop in the ravioli. Stir gently so they don’t stick together. Before draining, scoop out a bit of pasta water for the sauce.

• Before you drain the ravioli, scoop out some pasta water.

Make the Sauce

This creamy sauce comes together while the pasta cooks, so let’s move fast! As you cook the sauce, melt the ingredients and mix them, but never let anything boil—except the pasta, of course!

Melt the Butter.

• Heat a pan over medium heat. If your stove has numbered settings, set it to 5 or 6 out of 9.
• Add butter. Stir constantly. Look! The butter is melting—don’t let it fry or turn brown, just let it melt gently.

Add the Cream.

• Pour in the heavy cream and stir until it combines with the butter. Don’t let it boil!

• Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste. The base for butter cream sauce is ready.

Melt the Cheese.

• Add the grated cheese in three steps. Put in a little, stir until it melts, then add more. Keep stirring so it melts smoothly into the sauce. Don’t let it boil!
• Look! The cheese is melting into the sauce and makes it thick and creamy.

Combine Everything: If You’re Making This Recipe with Pasta

Here’s how to finish the sauce with pasta. If you’re using ravioli, it’s a little different. Jump here for the step-by-step guide on how to finish the recipe with ravioli.

• Add the drained pasta straight into the sauce.
• Stir well to coat every piece in that creamy goodness.

• Slowly pour in the reserved pasta water. Don’t skip this step or add too little! Pasta water helps thicken the sauce. Combine the pasta, pasta water, and sauce.
• If you want a creamy butter sauce for pasta, use less pasta water. For a silky sauce, add more.

Serve and Enjoy

• Turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stovetop. It might look like there’s too much sauce at first, but wait a few minutes—the pasta will soak it up!
• Plate your butter cream pasta and enjoy the creamiest, cheesiest pasta ever.

Combine Everything: If You’re Making This Recipe with Ravioli

• Don’t forget to save some pasta water right before you drain the ravioli. Drain them gently so they don’t break.
• Add pasta water to the sauce and stir well.
• Then add the hot ravioli to the pan and toss them gently until coated. Be extra careful when you stir — ravioli are delicate. Remove from the heat and serve right away.

Now you know how to make cream sauce for pasta! Give it a try and let us know in the comments how it turned out.

Ingredients, Tips, and Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s go over how to pick the right ingredients and what you can swap if needed. We’ll also share a few tips and common mistakes to avoid, so your pasta turns out perfectly creamy and delicious every time.

Ingredients (Detailed Tips & Substitutions)

Let’s go over the ingredients and kitchen equipment you’ll need.

Equipment:

• Skillet or pan
• Pot
• Grater

Ingredients:

Need exact measurements? Head right to the recipe card.

The key ingredients in this pasta cream sauce recipe are butter, heavy cream, and cheese. They’re simple, but the quality and type you use make a big difference in the sauce’s texture. Here’s how to pick the best ones for a smooth, creamy sauce:

• Your favorite pasta
• Butter – For the best flavor and texture, use real butter, not margarine or oil.
• Heavy cream – For a rich butter cream sauce for pasta, use cream with at least 30% fat. Low-fat cream won’t work well and may curdle. The lower the fat, the higher the chance your sauce will curdle. So, as a rule, when making pasta sauces with heavy cream, always choose cream with 30% fat or more.
• Cheese that melts well – We use Gouda, but Cheddar works great, too. Always grate it yourself! Pre-grated cheese has additives that keep the cheese from sticking together. But because of those same additives, the cheese doesn’t melt properly. In our potato cheese soup recipe, we share tips on how to choose the best melting cheese. These tips work for both soups and pasta sauces.

• Salt and pepper – We chose just these two simple seasonings for our creamy butter pasta sauce. Keep it simple for an extra creamy, pure taste.
• Pasta water – Wondering how to thicken a cream pasta sauce? The best thickener is pasta water. It contains starch that naturally binds the sauce and makes it smooth and velvety. It also helps the sauce cling better to the pasta. You could use cornstarch, like in Uruguayan Caruso sauce, but why add an extra ingredient? We love quick and easy creamy pasta recipes with few ingredients. That’s why pasta water is the best choice!

And that’s all! Just a few simple ingredients plus salt and pepper. We bet you have them all in your pantry or fridge. As you can see, for this easy pasta cream sauce, you need to pay attention to a few things—like choosing the right heavy cream or cheese. Follow these tips for the best taste.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s go over some common mistakes so you can make the best cream pasta sauce every time.

Don’t Overheat the Sauce

As mentioned before, when you make a creamy sauce for pasta recipe, take the butter, heavy cream, and cheese out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking. And never boil the ingredients—except for the pasta, of course.

Melt the butter gently when adding it to the pan. Then, pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a simmer, but never let the butter and cream pasta sauce boil. Once you add the pasta and pasta water, let the sauce coat all the pasta, then remove it from the heat. If you overheat a homemade cream pasta sauce, it can curdle.

Add the Cheese Slowly and Stir Constantly

To make your cream sauce for pasta smooth and velvety, use finely grated cheese. And stir continuously as you add it. Gouda or Cheddar work great for a silky sauce.

We make cream sauce without Parmesan because Parmesan has a grainy texture. And doesn’t melt into a smooth sauce.

Season Properly for the Perfect Balance

Add spices to your cream butter sauce for extra flavor. Tomato cream sauce pairs beautifully with oregano, basil, paprika, red pepper flakes, and garlic. For white sauce, which is already rich and creamy, just add a little black pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.

If you want to add more flavor, start with a well-balanced cream base sauce for pasta. Then mix in herbs or your favorite spices.

Add Salt or Sugar at the End

Always add salt and sugar at the end of cooking. If you’re adding cheese to your homemade creamy sauce for pasta, it’s already salty, so wait until the end to season. This way, you won’t oversalt the dish.

Pick the Right Pasta + Storage

Let’s talk about how to pick the best pasta for this recipe. Store the leftovers in the fridge and reheat them when you want a quick meal.

How to Store, Freeze & Reheat

Made a creamy sauce ahead of time? Here’s how to keep it fresh and reheat it without splitting.

How to Store

Store pasta with heavy cream butter sauce in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep it in a tightly sealed container.

How to Freeze

Don’t freeze butter cream pasta sauce. Why? Because the heavy cream will likely curdle when thawed. And remember, this is a simple cream pasta sauce you can make in just a few minutes! Freezing and defrosting take longer than if you make cream sauce for pasta fresh. So why bother freezing?

How to Reheat

Stove or microwave? Pick your favorite way to reheat pasta.

Reheating on the Stove
Add a little water, milk or pasta water to the pasta and warm it in a pan over medium heat. Use about 30g (2 tbsp) of liquid for two servings. Stir constantly to keep the sauce smooth and prevent sticking.

Reheating in the Microwave
For one serving, add 15-20g of water, milk, or pasta water to the pasta. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir after 30 seconds. Continue heating until warmed through.

Pick the Right Pasta

Cream sauce pairs best with the right pasta and quality ingredients. Here’s how to choose them — and what to use if you need a substitute.

Choosing the Right Pasta for Cream Sauce

How do you pick the best pasta for butter cream sauce? The right pasta makes all the difference!

• Fettuccine pairs perfectly with Alfredo sauce. Why? This rich, buttery cream sauce needs a sturdy pasta that won’t fall apart. Fettuccine holds up beautifully!
• Penne is the perfect match for creamy Vodka sauce. Its ridges and hollow shape hold the sauce inside. So every bite is extra flavorful!
• Spaghetti works well with garlic cream sauce. Its long, thin shape evenly spreads the garlic flavor throughout the dish.

Wondering what pasta works best with cream sauces for pasta? We love tagliatelle for this recipe because it holds the sauce perfectly. But don’t stop there! Use this butter cream sauce for ravioli, tortellini, or mezzeline for a rich and satisfying meal.

Avoid using very small or delicate pasta like orzo or vermicelli—they won’t hold up to the richness of this sauce.

How to Make Sure the Sauce Doesn’t Curdle

This easy butter cream sauce is quick and simple, but if you don’t follow the right method, it can curdle. Of course, there are ways to fix it, but why not prevent the problem from the start? Follow these secrets for a smooth and creamy sauce every time.

• Leave heavy cream, butter, and cheese at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking.
• Use heavy cream with at least 30% fat for a rich texture.
• Choose high-quality cream for the best taste and consistency.
• Add the cheese in 3 steps. Add some, stir until it melts, then add more.
• Never let the sauce or its ingredients boil—heat it gently to keep it smooth and creamy.

More Creamy Sauces and Recipe Adaptations

Explore more creamy sauce recipes from the blog. Adapt this recipe with your favorite twists and serve it the way you like.

Favorite Cream Sauce?

Who doesn’t love creamy sauces for pasta? They are always simple, and you only need a few ingredients. That’s why they are so popular. You can also customize them however you like.

So, what are the most popular cream-based pasta sauces? Let’s see how you make them and what ingredients you need. Most of them are already on our blog (or coming soon), so check them out to whip up a simple, delicious dinner in no time!

Here are the most popular cream sauces for pasta:

Alfredo sauce

Of course! Who doesn’t know Alfredo? It’s a classic in Italian-American cuisine with only three basic ingredients: heavy cream, butter, and Parmesan.

Did you know there are two variations? One uses just butter and Parmesan. The other combines butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan. Our version is all about Parmesan. Check out our one-pot tortellini Alfredo — it’s so quick!

It’s a simple, creamy pasta sauce, usually served with Fettuccine. It’s also a perfect alternative to traditional tomato pizza sauce! So next time, use this cream butter sauce for pasta as a white sauce for pizza.

Garlic cream sauce

Love rich garlic flavor? Make your butter and cream sauce for pasta slightly nutty and savory by adding garlic! It’s extra quick and easy. You’ll need the same ingredients as most cream sauce pasta recipes, but add garlic for extra depth.

For an intense garlic flavor, slice the garlic and sauté it in butter. You need a lot—one whole head for two servings! The combination of garlic, butter, and cream sauce creates a slightly sweet, rich taste. Add chopped parsley or thyme for a fresh, aromatic finish. You can also make creamy garlic sauce without heavy cream—just use butter, pasta water, garlic, and a few simple spices. See how to make it here.

Tomato cream sauce

People fall into two categories—those who prefer tomato sauces and those who love white cream sauces for pasta. But tomato cream sauce gives you both, so why not enjoy the best of both worlds?

When you mix tomatoes and heavy cream, the pasta turns out creamy and velvety. It also takes on a pink color, which is why it’s called pink pasta or pink sauce. The base is heavy cream, fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, or canned tomatoes. But you can also add shallots, garlic, or chili pepper for extra flavor or a spicy kick.

Vodka sauce

Vodka sauce made a comeback in 2020 when Gigi Hadid shared it in her Instagram stories.

For this homemade cream sauce for pasta, you use canned tomatoes, heavy cream, and cheese. And, of course, vodka—the key ingredient that makes the sauce smoother. Don’t be afraid to add it! The alcohol evaporates during cooking, enhances the tomato flavor and makes it even richer!

Mushroom cream sauce

You can add mushrooms to a cream base recipe to create a sauce with a deeper, richer flavor. Sauté the mushrooms first, then follow the same cooking steps as a typical cream sauce for pasta.

What mushrooms should you choose?

Go for any you love most! You can use fresh, frozen, or dried mushrooms. Mushroom sauce works great with porcini, boletus, or honey mushrooms. Or choose button mushrooms—you’ll find them at any grocery store.

Adapt, Add & Serve

Make it your own. Tweak the recipe for your diet, add extra ingredients, and serve it up right.

Easy Ways to Adapt This Recipe to Your Diet

Want a lighter take on cream sauce? Here’s how to adjust the recipe — plus easy ways to make it vegetarian or gluten-free.

How to make a lighter cream pasta sauce?

This butter cream sauce recipe has heavy cream and butter, so it’s high in calories. Heavy cream must be at least 30% fat. Otherwise, the sauce will curdle. Low-fat cream won’t work. A low-calorie alternative is hard to find. But there is one solution. Want to cut calories? Serve a smaller portion and add a big, fresh salad on the side. You’ll still enjoy your favorite meal—just with fewer calories!

Is this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! All ingredients in this Italian pasta creamy sauce are vegetarian. However, cheese can be tricky. Some vegetarians eat Parmesan, while others avoid it because it contains animal rennet. If you don’t eat Parmesan, skip it or use a vegetarian alternative. Gouda, which we use in this recipe, is mostly vegetarian, but to be sure, check the label. Need help? Read our guide on how to check if your cheese is vegetarian.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

All ingredients in this pasta with creamy sauce are naturally gluten-free—except for the pasta. To make it gluten-free, just swap regular pasta for gluten-free options. There are so many great alternatives! Choose pasta made from corn, rice, or buckwheat flour. You can also try chickpea or pea flour pasta, which is naturally gluten-free and packed with protein!

What Else to Add

This creamy butter pasta is already a full, satisfying dish. You don’t need extra ingredients. But if you want to change up the flavor, the easiest way is to garnish it with fresh herbs. Parsley, thyme, rosemary, or basil all work beautifully.

Most people add chicken or shrimp to their creamy sauce for noodles, but what about vegetarian additions? Here are some simple ideas:

• Smoked Tofu – Cut into cubes, fry until crispy, and sprinkle on top.
• Vegan or Vegetarian Bacon – Fry it for extra crunch and add as a topping.
• Asparagus – Blanch or sauté and toss it into the sauce.
• Walnuts, Sunflower Seeds, or Nuts – Toast them in a dry pan for a few minutes and sprinkle over your pasta.
• Edamame – Cook edamame and stir it into the sauce for extra protein.
• Italian breadcrumbs, called Pangrattato, make the pasta extra crispy. You can make seasoned breadcrumbs using either old bread or plain breadcrumbs.

These simple additions give your creamy butter pasta new textures and flavors. It’s vegetarian and delicious every time!

How to Serve

Your indulgent creamy pasta sauce recipe is ready! Pair it with your favorite pasta—tagliatelle or stuffed pasta work great. This dish is pure comfort food! It’s rich, creamy, and quick to make—the perfect family dinner.

But pasta isn’t the only way to enjoy this sauce! Drizzle it over vegetables or use it as a base for a creamy pizza sauce. Just follow the tips we shared earlier for the best pasta cream sauce.

Looking for inspiration on what to serve with pasta in a creamy sauce? Try these delicious sides. (Links below!)

• Garlic bread – Soak up the extra sauce.
• Crispy potato salad – A crunchy contrast to the creamy pasta.
• Seasoned Brussels sprouts – Add veggies for a healthy touch.
• Mushroom pie – A hearty and earthy side.
• Oven-baked potatoes – Load them up with delicious toppings.
• Cheesy muffins – Soft, savory, and the perfect match for creamy dishes.