27 Creamy Pasta Recipes Without A Drop Of Heavy Cream

Creamy pasta doesn’t need heavy cream to shine. These recipes take a bold approach, using ingredients like ricotta, tahini, and roasted veggies to deliver rich, velvety sauces without the usual crutch. Big flavors, no unnecessary calories—just smart, satisfying dishes that everyone will love.

Creamy Tomato Farfalle

Farfalle pasta gets a creamy tomato sauce upgrade with the addition of peas and crispy prosciutto. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a quick dinner that feels fancy without much work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato Farfalle

Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese

Greek yogurt gives this mac and cheese a creamy finish without relying on heavy cream. It’s lighter than the classic but still brings all the cheesy comfort you want in a pasta dish.
Get the Recipe: Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese

Creamy Pumpkin Garlic Pasta

Pumpkin and garlic come together for a creamy, savory pasta that’s perfect for fall. A hint of seasonal spices makes this dish the perfect way to embrace cooler weather while keeping dinner easy and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Garlic Pasta

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Ricotta and lemon create a creamy, bright sauce that’s light but satisfying. Toss in some basil and cherry tomatoes, and you’ve got a quick, easy dinner that feels just right when you’re short on time but want something fresh and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

This classic Italian dish keeps it simple with bucatini, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper. The starchy pasta water transforms these basic ingredients into a creamy, rich sauce that’s proof you don’t need a lot to make something great.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Creamy Almond Butter Fall Pasta

Almond butter brings a nutty richness to this fall pasta, paired with roasted butternut squash and broccoli rabe. The garlic cracker crumble on top adds a little crunch, making this dish feel extra special without too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Almond Butter Fall Pasta

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Sun-dried tomatoes and a creamy sauce coat rigatoni in this quick, meatless dish. Baby spinach adds some freshness, making it a great weeknight option when you want something hearty and ready in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Cottage Cheese Alfredo

This lighter Alfredo uses cottage cheese for a creamy, protein-packed sauce that’s lower in calories but still rich and flavorful. It’s perfect for when you want a comforting pasta dish without going overboard.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Pesto Pasta

Sun-dried tomatoes bring a bold flavor to this creamy pesto pasta. The smooth sauce skips the heavy cream but still packs a rich punch, making it a great choice when you want something quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Perfect for a busy night or when you want to impress without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta

Boursin Cheese Pasta

Herb-filled Boursin cheese and roasted tomatoes come together in this creamy pasta dish that’s almost too easy to whip up. It’s a great weeknight go-to when you want something that feels fancy but takes no effort. Pair it with a simple salad, and dinner’s done.
Get the Recipe: Boursin Cheese Pasta

Creamy One-Pot Pasta

This one-pot wonder combines roasted red peppers, spinach, and a cashew rosé sauce for a creamy dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes. No need to juggle a bunch of pots—this is the perfect way to make something that feels special without the cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Creamy One-Pot Pasta

Beef Stroganoff

Ground beef and mushrooms team up in a dairy-free creamy sauce that’s all about comfort and flavor. This stroganoff is hearty, filling, and comes together in 30 minutes. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a hug in a bowl without keeping you in the kitchen all night.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff

Tahini Pasta

If you’ve got tahini, you’ve got dinner. This creamy pasta dish comes together with just four ingredients in 15 minutes. It’s a quick, easy meal that feels satisfying without being heavy. Throw it into your weeknight rotation for a no-brainer dinner everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Tahini Pasta

Ricotta Lemon Pasta

Creamy ricotta, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprinkle of Parmesan come together for a bright, refreshing pasta that’s perfect for when you want something light but still satisfying. Add some arugula for a bit of green, and you’ve got a one-pot meal that’s as easy as it is delicious.
Get the Recipe: Ricotta Lemon Pasta

Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

This tomato-based pasta skips the heavy cream and swaps it for something lighter without cutting corners on flavor. Add spinach for some color, and you’ve got a quick, vegetarian dinner that’s perfect for busy nights or lazy weekends when takeout just won’t do.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

Creamy Baked Boursin Tomato Pasta

Pop some Boursin cheese, tomatoes, spinach, and red onion in the oven, let it do its thing, and then toss it with pasta. In 25 minutes, you’ll have a creamy, cheesy dish that’s big on flavor but low on effort. This is the kind of dinner that feels way fancier than it really is.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Baked Boursin Tomato Pasta

Baked Butternut Squash Feta Pasta

Sage, sausage, and butternut squash turn a simple pasta dish into a fall-inspired dinner you’ll actually look forward to. The feta melts into a creamy sauce that wraps everything together, making it a perfect comfort meal for cooler nights.
Get the Recipe: Baked Butternut Squash Feta Pasta

Pasta with Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Sauce

Roasted butternut squash, garlic, and onion get blended into a smooth, creamy sauce that coats your pasta perfectly. Add a little Pecorino Romano for a salty kick, and you’ve got a quick, flavorful dinner that’s hard to beat.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Sauce

Ricotta Pesto Pasta

This no-cook sauce combines ricotta, pesto, and a hint of lemon zest for a creamy, fresh pasta that’s ready in under 30 minutes. It’s great for those nights when you’re low on time but still want something satisfying and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Ricotta Pesto Pasta

Italian Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese, but make it Italian. This dish combines a mix of Italian cheeses and fresh herbs for a creamy, rich pasta that’s easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for company. It’s the ultimate comfort food without being boring.
Get the Recipe: Italian Mac and Cheese

Creamy Corn Pasta

Sweet summer corn gets turned into a creamy sauce that coats your pasta perfectly. Add some grape tomatoes and fresh basil to keep it light and fresh. This is the perfect summer dinner when you want something easy but still packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Corn Pasta

Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta

Mushrooms and spinach take the spotlight in this creamy pasta dish that’s hearty without being heavy. It’s a quick meal that’s great for weeknights when you want something comforting but easy to pull together.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta

One Pot Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

This one-pot pasta with Italian sausage and creamy tomato sauce delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for a hearty dinner that even the pickiest eaters will love, it’s a go-to recipe when you want everything done in one pan.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

Cheesy Lobster Orzo

Orzo meets lobster in a dish that feels like mac and cheese and risotto had a fancy baby. It’s rich, creamy, and sure to impress, whether it’s date night or you just want to treat yourself.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Lobster Orzo

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A slow cooker classic, this garlic Parmesan chicken pasta is as easy as it gets. Toss everything into the crockpot, let it cook, and you’ll have a creamy, flavorful dinner waiting for you. Perfect for a weeknight when you’ve got zero energy to cook.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Baked Feta Pasta with Basil and Garlic

This baked feta pasta became a viral hit for a reason. Feta cheese, fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil bake into a creamy sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. It’s a no-fuss dinner that’s as simple as it is satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta with Basil and Garlic

Feta Pasta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Inspired by the viral TikTok pasta, this creamy feta dish adds a garlic yogurt sauce that’s next-level. Sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes round out the flavors, making it a hearty meal that’s far from ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Feta Pasta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce