Recipe Review: The Quick Pasta Alfredo for One

Don't get me wrong I LOVE a classic Alfredo sauce!  But if you are like me and may not have the time or energy to go through all that trouble, I think you might enjoy my adapted version of a similar recipe I found on the Tasty Kitchen website.  I made this in less than 10 minutes (not counting cooking the pasta) - how can you beat that?

Here is my version (double or triple the ingredients for more servings):

• 1-2 servings cooked pasta (any type will do:  spaghetti, shells, penne, bowties, etc.)
• Dab of butter
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2-3 ounces cream cheese
• 1/4 - 1/2 cups pasta water
• Dash black pepper
• 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain, reserving at least 1/2 cup pasta water.  Set aside.
2. Melt butter in pasta pot and add garlic.  Cook just for 1-2 minutes just as garlic starts to brown slightly.
3. Take  pot off the heat and drop the cream cheese into the pot.  Add pasta immediately right on top of the cream cheese.  Begin mixing the cream cheese into the pasta.  If the cream cheese doesn't begin to melt right away or is difficult to mix, pour up to 1/4 cup of the pasta water in and continue mixing.  
4. Once the cream cheese begins to melt and starts to blend into the pasta, add the pepper and Parmesan cheese.  Feel free to add extra pepper and/or cheese to taste!  If you're having trouble mixing the pasta, add up to 1/4 cup pasta water.  You may want to put it back on the heat as well to get the flavors blended well and the pasta heated through.

Note:  This pasta is SCREAMING for extras so feel free to add whatever you have on hand.  I might try to sauté some mushrooms to add at the end, some steamed broccoli or even some leftover chicken.  The possibilities are endless!  Feel free to experiment and change - that is what it's all about.

Happy cooking!