25 Easy Cream Cheese Recipes That Are Rich and Decadent
Put this fridge staple to good use!
Cream cheese is the main ingredient in so many wonderful recipes that it's always a good idea to have some stocked in the fridge or freezer! From Ree Drummond's famous mashed potatoes to cheesecake recipes, and even baked pastas, cream cheese adds a richness and creaminess to all kinds of dishes. If you have a block of cream cheese and looking for fresh new ways to use it, look no further. We have all of the cream cheese recipes you need.
If you're hosting friends and family, party dips are a genius way to use up a block of cream cheese and this roundup is full of 'em! 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 fall desserts starring cream cheese: caramel apple cheesecake, pumpkin sheet cake topped with cream cheese frosting, or mini pumpkin cheesecakes. 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!
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
The secret to Ree's creamiest ever mashed potatoes? A block of cream cheese! It gives these potatoes a rich taste and velvety smooth texture.
Get Ree's Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
Fluff salads are a holiday tradition, especially this ambrosia one. Think: juicy fruit, shredded coconut, marshmallows, and a thick cream cheese "dressing." What more could you want?
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Carrot Cake Muffins
What's carrot cake without a decadent cream cheese frosting? These breakfast muffins are topped with buttery streusel and then drizzled in the mandatory thick cream cheese icing.
Get the Carrot Cake Muffins recipe.
Pizza Dip
This pizza dip doesn't lack in the cheese department! It has cream cheese, parmesan, and mozzarella and is topped with your favorite pizza toppings! Scoop it up with hunks of baguette.
Get the Pizza Dip recipe.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Cream cheese is what gives cheesecake its creaminess and richness. This fall spin is topped with soft apples and sticky caramel sauceāyum!
Get the Caramel Apple Cheesecake recipe.
Tea Sandwiches
Need to use up the rest of a block of cream cheese? Smear it on bread and make a batch of tea sandwiches! The bite-size beauties are perfect for a baby shower, luncheon, or snack.
Get the Tea Sandwiches recipe.
Feta Pasta
This pasta dish went viral for good reasonāit's incredibly easy and so darn delicious! For this spin, we use feta cheese and cream cheese for extra creaminess.
Get the Feta Pasta recipe.
Hummingbird Cake
Filled with banana, pineapple, coconut, and pecans, this pretty layer cake is a favorite on any dessert table. But it's the cream cheese frosting that takes it over the top!
Get the Hummingbird Cake recipe.
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Make these savory little bites of a cocktail party or holiday get-together and everyone will ask for the recipe! They're elegant and impressive, but surprisingly easy to make.
Get the Crab Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Pumpkin Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Is there anything more decadent than cream cheese frosting? In this recipe, it tops a heavenly spiced pumpkin sheet cake for a delicious fall dessert that you have to try.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.
Spinach Casserole
Vegetable side dishes shouldn't be boring and this spinach casserole is anything but! The spinach is coated in a cheesy, garlicky sauce and the whole dish gets topped with panko breadcrumbs and fried onions.
Get the Spinach Casserole recipe.
Cheesecake Brownies
Bake sales, tailgates, and parties any time of year, bring these swirled beauties for dessert. This recipe combines two favorite treats into one hand-held bar.
Get the Cheesecake Brownies recipe.
Everything Bagel Casserole
Loaded with hunks of bagels, cream cheese, bacon, and eggs, this breakfast casserole really is everything. Make it the night before and bake it in the morning!
Get the Everything Bagel Casserole recipe.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Salad or dessert? You be the judge, but this treat is good enough to eat for both! The top layer is made with strawberry Jell-O and berries, the middle layer is a fluffy cream cheese filling, and the bottom layer is a salty pretzel crust.
Get the Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe.
One-Pot French Onion Pasta
If you love classic French onion soup, you'll adore this easy pasta dish. It's topped with crusty bread and tons of cheese, just like the soup! Oh, and it's made all in one pan!
Get the One-Pot French Onion Pasta recipe.
Pumpkin Truffles
Need a cute fall food gift? Meet these pumpkin truffles! Cream cheese helps hold the filling together so you can roll it in balls and dip it in chocolate.
Get the Pumpkin Truffles recipe.
JalapeƱo Poppers
JalapeƱo poppers are the easiest party appetizers! (The hardest part is not eating them all before your guests arrive.) You can even make jalapeƱo poppers in an air fryer.
Get the JalapeƱo Poppers recipe.
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
This pull-apart breakfast bread starts with store-bought cinnamon roll dough, so you know it's easy! The thick, cream cheese glaze spooned over top is what dreams are made of.
Get the Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread recipe.
Hot Crab Dip
This elegant appetizer is so easy to throw together for any sort of party. Cream cheese gives this dip its decadence and creaminess that is perfectly balanced by the fresh crab.
Get Ree's Hot Crab Dip recipe.
Pumpkin Roll
Don't be intimidated by this pretty pumpkin roll. We're not sure which is the best part: the tender spiced cake or the fluffy cream cheese filling.
Get the Pumpkin Roll recipe.
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