50 Best Cream Cheese Recipes to Use Up That Block in Your Fridge
Make sweet and savory recipes with ease!
Did you know that cream cheese is one of Ree Drummond’s favorite secret ingredients? It's the key to her velvety smooth mashed potatoes and a main component in her chocolate peanut butter pie. Whether you're looking to make rich homemade cheesecakes or creamy baked pasta, there are so many sweet and savory ideas that start with a block of cream cheese. So go beyond the simple bagel spread and follow Ree's lead with the best cream cheese recipes that put the fridge staple to good use.
If you're hosting friends and family, cream cheese-based dips are a genius way to use up a block of cream cheese. Pizza dip loaded with toppings, spicy buffalo chicken dip, or a skillet full of sausage dip, you can't go wrong with these crowd-pleasers for a tailgate. You'll also discover so many delicious sweet treats starring cream cheese: cream cheese swirled brownies and red velvet thumbprint cookies with cream cheese frosting. Of course, it's no secret that it's the star of Ree's cream cheese cookies. "They're perfectly sweet with a little bit of tang," she says.
Beyond the snacks and sweets, there's plenty of ways to incorporate a block of cream cheese into a meal, too. Try the viral feta pasta or one-pot French onion pasta, or enjoy a breakfast casserole for dinner with the everything bagel casserole. Have too much on your hands? You can always freeze cream cheese and try one of these recipes later.
Cream Cheese Cookies
You only need six ingredients and a dusting of powdered sugar to make these easy, old-fashioned cream cheese cookies. They have a heavenly texture that'll make you want to go back for more!
Get the Cream Cheese Cookies recipe.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Once you know how to whip up cream cheese frosting, the world of sweets really opens up exponentially! It's amazing what four simple ingredients and ten minutes of work can produce.
Get Ree's Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Bars
Are you a fan of pumpkin spice season? Then you'll love these bars! Plus, you get that same creamy, dreamy bite of seasonal cheesecake without the hassle of a water bath.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Snickers Salad
This "salad" is a sweet concoction of chopped candy bars and apples mixed with a creamy "dressing" made of vanilla pudding, cream cheese, and caramel sauce. Don't knock it 'til you try it! It's a classic potluck dish.
Get the Snickers Salad recipe.
Skyline Dip
Inspired by the Cincinnati dish skyline chili, this dip uses the same the foundational ingredients of meaty, bean-free chili and shredded cheddar, then and adds softened cream cheese to make it rich and creamy.
Get Ree's Skyline Dip recipe.
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Think of these as a cross between lemon bars and ooey gooey butter cake. And they are so simple to make because you start off with a box of cake mix (and cream cheese, of course).
Get the Lemon Cream Cheese Bars recipe.
Berry Chantilly Cake
If you've ever had the popular Whole Foods version, you know how good this cake is. It's even better if you make it yourself. The frosting is extra special, made with both mascarpone and cream cheese.
Get the Berry Chantilly Cake recipe.
Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
While this classic snack has plenty of cheese in it (pepper jack, parmesan, and feta), it's the cream cheese that is essential to keeping it the dreamiest, creamiest, most flavorful spinach artichoke dip there is.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe.
Carrot Cake Cheesecake
If your favorite part of carrot cake is the cream cheese frosting, this may just be your dream two-for-one dessert. It features a classic carrot cake base with a thick layer of rich, silky cheesecake on top.
Get the Carrot Cake Cheesecake recipe.
Strawberry Delight
With a buttery graham cracker crust, luscious cream cheese filling, and glossy strawberry topping, this potluck favorite is easily one of the best no-bake desserts out there.
Get the Strawberry Delight recipe.
Muffuletta Pinwheels
Pinwheels are such a fun way to eat a snack! These are inspired by the iconic New Orleans sandwich and packed with layers of ham, mortadella, salami, green olive salad, and cream cheese.
Get the Muffuletta Pinwheels recipe.
No-Bake Orange-Vanilla Cheesecake Bars
How much did you love creamsicles as a kid? If it was a lot, then make these cheesecake bars! The flavors of vanilla and orange are a combination that never gets old.
Cherry Delight
With a buttery vanilla wafer crust, light cream cheese center, and tangy cherry pie filling (straight from the can!), this potluck favorite really is a delight to make and eat.
Get Ree's Cherry Delight recipe.
Oreo Cheesecake
Cookies and cream lovers will go crazy for this over-the-top dessert! It starts with an Oreo cookie crust, followed by a creamy Oreo cookie filling, and topped with crushed Oreos for good measure.
Get the Oreo Cheesecake recipe.
Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili
Cream cheese is the secret to giving this chicken chili its irresistible texture. Plus, it helps to balance out all the bold, smoky flavors from the cumin, paprika, and chili powder.
Get Ree’s Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili recipe.
Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
The combination of red velvet and cream cheese frosting are a classic pairing, but this recipe turns the popular cake flavor into an easy thumbprint cookie! Perfect for Christmas, Valentine's Day, or anything in between.
Get Ree’s Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.
Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip
It's creamy, cheesy, and downright decadent thanks to the mixture of cream cheese, mayonnaise, caramelized onions, and Monterey jack cheese. If that weren't enough to make you want to scoop it up, there's also plenty of crispy bacon!
Get Ree's Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip recipe.
Cream Cheese Danish
Start your morning off with this flaky breakfast treat! It's made with store-bought puff pastry and a package of cream cheese so it couldn't be easier to make.
Get the Cream Cheese Danish recipe.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip
This dip has the perfect balance of rich cream cheese and tangy sour cream as the base. Then, it adds chicken and bacon for texture and ranch seasoning for a pop of flavor.
Get the Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip recipe.
Crab Rangoon
These crispy pockets of cream cheese and imitation crab are just as good as the ones you've had at restaurants! Serve them with a side of sweet chili sauce and dip away.
Get the Crab Rangoon recipe.
Chili Mac and Cheese
Hamburger Casserole
Pizza Spaghetti Pie
One-Pot Pastas Save You from a Sink Full of Dishes
