Thanksgiving Cranberry Cream Cheese Pasta (Print)

Creamy pasta with cranberries, cream cheese, and fresh herbs—perfect for holiday tables or cozy nights.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 340 g short pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Cranberry Sauce

03 - 120 g fresh or frozen cranberries
04 - 100 g granulated sugar
05 - 120 ml water
06 - Zest and juice of 1/2 orange

→ Cream Cheese Sauce

07 - 225 g cream cheese, softened
08 - 120 ml whole milk
09 - 30 g unsalted butter
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 0.25 tsp dried thyme
12 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
13 - Salt, to taste

→ Finishing Touches

14 - 30 g chopped toasted pecans
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
16 - Extra cranberries or orange zest (optional, for garnish)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until it reaches an al dente texture. Drain the pasta, reserving approximately 120 ml of the cooking water, and set aside.
02 - In a small saucepan, combine fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, water, orange zest, and orange juice. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring periodically, until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened to a desirable consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for approximately 1 minute until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Introduce the softened cream cheese, whole milk, dried thyme, black pepper, and a pinch of salt into the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and a smooth sauce has formed, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
05 - Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet containing the cream cheese sauce. Toss thoroughly to ensure each piece of pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually incorporate the reserved pasta water, a small amount at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
06 - Gently fold about half of the prepared cranberry sauce into the pasta mixture. Swirl it lightly to create a marbled visual effect throughout the dish.
07 - Portion the pasta into individual serving bowls. Drizzle the remaining cranberry sauce over each serving. Garnish generously with toasted pecans and chopped fresh parsley. Add optional extra cranberries or orange zest for an enhanced presentation, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 40 minutes for quick holiday entertaining
  • Perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors
  • Makes use of seasonal cranberries in an unexpected way
  • Uses simple ingredients that create an impressive dish
02 -
  • This dish beautifully balances rich creaminess with bright acidity
  • Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and gently reheated
  • The pasta provides a neutral canvas for the bold cranberry flavor
  • Versatile enough for both holiday dinners and weeknight meals
03 -
  • Always reserve some pasta cooking water before draining. This starchy liquid is liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency.
  • Let the cream cheese come to room temperature before making the sauce for the smoothest texture without lumps.
  • For the most vibrant cranberry color, fold in the sauce at the last possible moment before serving.

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