Cream cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory. It adds a rich, creamy texture and tangy flavor that can elevate any recipe. Here are 35+ recipes that use cream cheese.
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Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy appetizer, a decadent dessert, or a hearty main course, there’s a cream cheese recipe out there for you.
Here’s 35+ tasty recipe that use cream cheese to try out!
This one pan Chicken Artichoke Orzo takes 30 minutes to cook in one skillet and never skimps on flavor. You’ll love the layers of pan-seared chicken breasts, orzo pasta, spinach, and artichokes in every bite!
This homemade Smoked Salmon Dip with Cream Cheese is so refreshing, creamy, and delicious! It’s made with 8 simple ingredients like fresh herbs, lemon, sour cream, and rich smoked salmon for an irresistible dipping experience.
This Pasta with Peas and Bacon comes together in just 20 minutes! It's a delicious (and budget friendly) dinner that's perfect for any night of the week.
These Lemon Raspberry Tartlets are the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, with a delicate buttery crust. They're easy to prepare with a no-bake filling.
Cream cheese cookies are the most heavenly little bites of sweetness! They’re addicting; you’ve been warned! If you love cream cheese recipes, you will love this cream cheese dessert!Recipe: Pizzazzerie
Cranberry Bliss Bars are a Starbucks copycat recipe of your favorite holiday treat. White chocolate and cranberries combine in these blondie-based bars topped with cream cheese frosting.
This Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Swirl is here to make all you pumpkin lovers extremely happy. It’s moist, and not overly sweet, with the most decadent cream cheese swirl running through it.
Spinach stuffed chicken breast is flavorful, filling, quick, and easy to whip up! Filled with tender spinach, cream cheese, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, there is nothing boring about this chicken breast recipe.Recipe: The Recipe Critic
Our classic cheese ball recipe starts with cream cheese (of course) and is perked up with four types of onion, plus garlic and sharp white cheddar, for a truly, madly, deliciously cheesy cheese ball.Recipe: The Modern Proper
My ultra crispy cream cheese wontons are stuffed with the most delicious filling and are so easy to make. These cream cheese rangoons taste like they came from a restaurant!Recipe: Dinner At The Zoo
Smooth, creamy, decadent, and loaded with flavor. They're incredibly easy to make and ready in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight meal or a holiday feast. Serve them alongside your favorite meat or vegetables, and you're guaranteed to have a crowd-pleaser.Recipe: Serving Dumplings
Baked Cream Cheese Pasta combines cream cheese and grape tomatoes which are then coated with olive oil, butter, fresh herbs, and garlic and then baked until golden brown and bubbly. Stir it all together with your favorite pasta and fresh basil for a rich, cheesy, and irresistible dish! Recipe: KJ and Company
This Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread is so unbelievably good! The exterior is perfectly crunchy, while the interior is kind of custardy all while still chewy like good bread should. It's filled with a lightly sweetened cream cheese filling and loaded with exactly what you want in a garlic bread – garlic flavor!Recipe: Two Plaid Aprons
Enjoy this smoked cream cheese recipe with pretzels, chips, crackers, or even veggie crudité dippers. This full-flavoured smoked cream cheese dip is ideal for any occasion.Recipe: XOXO Bella
This creamy taco soup recipe is loaded with ground beef, flavorful taco spices, corn, beans, and you can dress it up with all your favorite toppings!Recipe: Salt and Lavender
This Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Tortellini provides you with a hearty and flavorful meal while still being incredibly easy to make! Let your crockpot do all the heavy lifting while you get to enjoy the delicious end result.Recipe: Cinnamon and Sage Co
How does cranberry cream cheese stuffed flank steak sound as a Christmas dinner dish? It's such a great recipe when you want something both fancy and tasty. Recipe: XOXO Bella
This easy cream cheese chicken recipe takes two things we LOVE: cream cheese and chicken, and combines them into a deliciously creamy, dreamy chicken dish. Recipe: Cheese Knees
This cream cheese pasta is the perfect recipe for a busy weeknight dinner! It’s ready in 20 minutes and tastes like Alfredo sauce (but with less fuss), and the whole family will love it!Recipe: Fantabulosity
These Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms are a delightful bite sized little treat. The mushroom caps are filled with cream cheese that is mixed with parmesan, thyme, rosemary and sage. This is a perfect party appetizer or they even make a great side dish!Recipe: Tasting with Tina
These spicy jalapeño poppers filled with crispy bacon, cream cheese and parmesan are so simple and craveable you’ll be looking for any excuse to make them.Recipe: The Modern Proper
Black Cherry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese and Pecans is an elegant side dish or dessert with a deep fruity flavour that is so refreshing. Little bites of cream cheese and crunchy pecans throughout black cherry jello add an interesting textural component. Recipe: Life Around the Table
This Olive Oil Carrot Cake Loaf with Cream Cheese Icing with its perfectly spiced batter is an absolute family favourite. The olive oil makes the loaf's crumb so tender and moist and adds a subtle fruity flavor. Recipe: Life Around the Table
This pumpkin roll is a take on a Swiss roll (also called a jelly roll) is made with a spiced pumpkin sponge cake and cream cheese frosting. Recipe: Cooking with Cocktail Rings
This 3 Ingredient Cream Cheese Fudge recipe is great when you need a sweet treat fast! Cream cheese gives this candy tangy flavor.Recipe: Sprinkle Bakes
Lemon Sugar Rolls with Vanilla Cream Cheese Icing…a great make-ahead breakfast or brunch item for any upcoming spring/summer occasions.Recipe: Half Baked Harvest
These swirled cream cheese brownies taste like two desserts in one – chocolate brownies and cheesecake. Rich fudgy brownies with thick swirls of sweet and tangy cream cheese.Recipe: Celebrating Sweets
This no-bake chocolate cheesecake mousse with Nutella is decadent and delicious! This creamy whipped dessert is easy to make and perfect for celebrating any occasion.Recipe: The Savory Cipolla
Decadent and creamy with a shortbread crust and sweet strawberry topping, these strawberry cheesecake bars are an easy way to enjoy cheesecake without the hassle of a water bath.Recipe: The Dizzy Cook
If you're looking for a homemade vanilla ice cream that tastes like cheesecake, this frozen treat combines the best of both worlds with its creamy texture and irresistible taste. Recipe: Vintage Kitchen Notes
This easy Sweet Cream Cheese Dip uses just 4 simple ingredients and takes about 2 minutes to make! It is the perfect creamy dip to pair with fresh fruit, pretzels, donut holes, and more!Recipe: State of Dinner
An old-fashioned recipe for cream cheese mints! These are commonly served at bridal showers and baby showers and are so easy to make!Recipe: Sugar Spun Run
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Cream cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory. It adds a rich, creamy texture and tangy flavor that can elevate any recipe. Try this Spinach and Artichoke Orzo with Chicken. It takes 30 minutes to cook in one skillet and never skimps on flavor.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the flour and garlic powder in a shallow bowl and coat the chicken pieces in the flour.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden, about 3-5 minutes per side. Add 1 TBSP butter and cook 2 minutes longer. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Add the remaining 1 TBSP butter to the now empty skillet. Once melted, add the artichokes. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes or until golden. Set aside with the chicken.
Add the shallots, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the empty skillet. Cook 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Add the orzo. Cook another 2 minutes.
Add the broth and wine and bring to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until orzo is just shy of al dente, about 10 minutes.
Stir in the cream cheese until melted and combined. Add spinach and stir until wilted. Stir in lemon zest and juice and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Nestle the chicken and artichokes in the orzo and simmer for 5 minutes, or until warmed through. Enjoy!
Notes
Tips and variations:
If you don’t have orzo pasta, replace it with rice or another short-cut pasta.
This recipe can easily be made dairy free by replacing the butter with olive oil and the cream cheese with dairy free cream cheese, cashew cream, or full fat coconut milk.
Don’t want to cook with wine? No problem. Substitute the white wine for lemon juice or more chicken broth.
Make this recipe with as many other vegetables as you like, such as broccoli, peas, green beans, cauliflower, or kale.
Don’t forget to finish it off with lots of parmesan cheese and a little extra lemon zest on top!