Looking for substitutes for heavy cream in pasta?! Maybe you ran out and don’t want to the grocery store. Or maybe you want to lighten up your pasta dish. Are you looking for the best non-dairy substitute for heavy cream? I got you covered! No matter what your situation is, I will give you 15 of the best alternatives for heavy whipping cream in pasta dishes!
There are so many delicious pasta dishes that include heavy cream! Like my Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta or this Creamy Spaghetti with Bacon!
But every so often you might run out or want to lighten up a pasta dish. Vegan? No problem! I have 15 heavy cream alternatives for ya right here! There’s an option for everyone!
Whole milk is an excellent substitute for heavy cream. It adds richness to your pasta sauce without the excess fat. Simply simmer your favourite pasta sauce with whole milk until it thickens to your desired consistency. The result is a velvety and indulgent sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta.
Milk + Flour + Butter
This is basically a roux, right? Same concept as when you thicken pasta with half and half (#1 above), but this time we’re using whole milk, which has a much lower fat content than half and half.
In order to keep the sauce smooth, you’ll need to add more butter and more flour. There are two ways to do this:
Make a roux as noted here. Slowly whisk in 2-3 cups of milk until desired thickness is reached OR… Whisk together 1 cup of whole milk (make sure it’s COLD), 2 tablespoons of flour, and 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter (cooled). Whisk until smooth. Once you heat this mixture it will begin to thicken like heavy cream. This is my favorite, fool-proof heavy cream substitute for pasta dishes!
Greek Yogurt + Milk
Plain Greek yogurt (full fat) is also a great substitute for heavy cream in pasta. If you are looking for a more healthy alternative to heavy cream in pasta, Greek yogurt is an excellent option.
Greek yogurt does not have the high-fat content like heavy cream, but it does have a creamy texture and it’s high in protein as well.
For best results, mix a bit of milk in with the Greek yogurt to mimic the heavy cream texture. Start with one cup of Greek yogurt and 1/4 cup of milk. Add more milk until you reach your desired consistency.
Cream cheese is one of my favorite ingredients to use in place of heavy cream in pasta dishes! It makes such delicious, creamy pasta sauce! Cream cheese is typically made from whole milk and, you guessed it–CREAM, so it works great as an alternative to heavy cream.
Use between 4-8oz. of cream cheese per pound of pasta. Bring cream cheese to room temperature and stir into pasta over medium heat until desired consistency is reached. Add a splash of milk or stock/broth if the sauce gets too thick.
Sour cream works very similarly to Greek yogurt and is a good alternative to heavy cream. It has a slight tang which can be yummy in pasta dishes! Use full-fat sour cream, if you can. The higher fat content will help prevent curdling.
Mix a bit of milk in with the sour cream to mimic the heavy cream texture. Start with one cup of sour cream and 2 tablespoons of milk. Add more milk until you reach the desired consistency.
This PASTA with MILK will drive you crazy! MILK PASTA with white sauce pasta Recipe
FAQ
What can I use instead of cream in pasta?
Can you use milk instead of heavy cream for pasta?
Can I use milk instead of cream?
Is it OK to add milk to pasta?
Can you add milk to pasta sauce instead of cream?
When adding milk to pasta sauce instead of cream, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure to use whole milk or, if you prefer, half-and-half or heavy cream instead. This will ensure that your sauce has a creamy texture and consistency.
Is it better to substitute full cream milk with buttermilk?
Cultured buttermilk is a fermented and tart liquid that contains active bacterial cultures, popularly called probiotics, which are essentially the beneficial microbes found naturally in our gastrointestinal system that support immunity, digestion, and nutrient absorption. Fermented dairy products that contain these microorganisms have been linked to lower risk of coronary heart disease. Both low fat and full fat versions of buttermilk fit into a health-promoting diet as a substitute for full cream milk. They produce very different results when cooking and have very different taste profiles. It may not always make sense to make this substitution. Individuals who enjoy drinking buttermilk regularly should continue to do so in the context of a healthy diet that contains a variety of fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, tempeh, and unpasteurized sauerkraut.
Can I substitute milk for heavy cream in pasta?
There are a few things to consider when deciding whether to substitute milk for heavy cream in pasta. The first is the fat content; heavy cream is much higher in fat than milk, so if you’re watching your fat intake, milk may be a better choice.
Can I use coconut milk instead of heavy cream in pasta?
Otherwise, full-fat coconut milk is great for all sorts of pasta dishes, including vegan and dairy-free pasta recipes. Substitute 1 cup of heavy cream for 1 cup of full-fat coconut milk. Cream cheese is often used in pasta recipes and thus makes a great replacement for heavy cream in pasta.