Do you have leftover cream cheese?
Don’t know what to do with it?
Here are some ideas on what to do with leftover cream cheese.
It can be used in a variety of ways, from savory dishes to desserts.
So don’t let that leftover go to waste.
Get creative and have fun with it.
Make a cream cheese spread
To make a spread from the leftover, mix it with your favorite spices and you have a delicious appetizer.
Here is a quick recipe for a jalapeno cream cheese spread to get you started.
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 – 1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapenos (or 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes)
Mix all ingredients together and chill in the refrigerator.
Serve with crackers or chips.
Make a breakfast casserole
It can be used to make a breakfast casserole.
Just mix it with your favorite vegetables and meat and bake in the oven for about an hour.
Here is a quick recipe for a breakfast casserole made with cream cheese, spinach, and bacon.
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (chopped)
- 1/4 cup onion (chopped)
- 4 slices bacon (fried and crumbled)
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Grease a 9-inch pie pan.
Mix the spinach, onion, bacon, eggs, and cream cheese in a bowl; mix well.
Pour mixture into prepared pan.
Bake 30 minutes in a preheated oven, until golden brown on top.
Make stuffed shells
It can be used to make stuffed shells.
Just mix it with your favorite vegetables, meats, and pasta and bake in the oven for about an hour.
Here is a quick recipe for cream cheese stuffed shells:
- 4 cups cooked jumbo pasta shells (drained)
Filling:
- 1 cup mushrooms (chopped)
- 2 tbsp.
- butter or margarine
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2/3 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 8-ounce jar spaghetti sauce or Alfredo sauce
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Melt butter in a small skillet.
Saute mushrooms until tender.
Beat cream cheese until smooth.
Stir in ricotta, mushrooms, mozzarella, and egg; mix well.
Spread 1/4 of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Stuff each shell with about 2 teaspoons of filling.
Arrange stuffed shells on top of sauce in pan; cover with remaining sauce.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned on top.
Serves 8.
Make a dessert fondue
Another great idea on what to do with leftover cream cheese.
It can be used to make a dessert fondue.
Just mix it with your favorite fruits and dip away.
Here is a quick recipe for an easy fondue:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 bag mini marshmallows (or 1/2 cup mini marshmallows)
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup or light Karo syrup
Whip the cream cheese, marshmallows, and corn syrup with an electric beater until smooth.
Warm over low heat until fondue is melted.
Serve with fruit for dipping.
Add it to smoothies
It can be added to your favorite smoothie – just add it with the rest of your ingredients and blend.
Also, you can mix it with your favorite fruits and juices and blend.
Here is a quick recipe for a strawberry smoothie:
- 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (plain or flavored)
- 1 1/2 cups ice cubes
- 3/4 cup milk
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
Mix together all ingredients until smooth.
Serve immediately.
Make flavored butter
It can be used to make flavored butter.
Just mix it with your favorite spices, herbs, or fruits and you’ve got a delicious spread that will go great on toast, bagels, or muffins.
Here is a quick recipe for garlic herb cream cheese:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tsp dill weed
- 1 tsp tarragon leaves (minced)
Mix all ingredients together and serve immediately.
Can I freeze cream cheese?
Yes, it can be frozen.
Just put it in an airtight container or freezer bag and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. (source)
What can you put cream cheese on?
It can be put on bread, bagels, tortillas, and crackers.
It can also be used as a filling for pastries or baked goods such as buns or muffins. (source)
Can you bake with cream cheese?
Yes, it can be used to make a delicious savory dish – just replace the amount of butter or margarine in the recipe with an equal amount.
It can also be used to make a sweet dish – just add some sugar and vanilla extract to it and you’ll have wonderful icing.
How long does cream cheese last once opened?
It will last for about 10-14 days after opening when it has been kept in the refrigerator. (source)
What is the best way to store cream cheese?
It should be stored in an airtight container or bag.
Fill the container or bag with air and squeeze all of it down to remove any excess air – this will help to keep it fresh.
Can you put cream cheese on toast?
Yes, you can put it on toast.
You can also add other spreads to your toast – try adding nut butter or jam. (source)
Is soft cheese the same as cream cheese?
Yes, they are essentially the same things.
Soft cheese is just unripened cream cheese that has been left out at room temperature to develop a stronger flavor.
What does cream cheese do in baking?
It can be used in place of regular cream or butter – just use the same amount that the recipe calls for.
It will produce a richer dish.
Can cream cheese be eaten without cooking?
Yes, just spread a little bit on a cracker.
And don’t forget to try it with your favorite fruits, too.
Is there sugar in cream cheese?
It is naturally quite sweet due to the milk, sugar, and cream used to make it.
However, some varieties that are made with skim milk or other low-fat ingredients may contain less sugar than others.
How do you soften cream cheese?
To soften, all you have to do is wait – it will be soft enough after being left out at room temperature for about 1 hour.
You can also beat it with an electric mixer or put it in the microwave oven to soften it.
How do you make frozen cream cheese creamy again?
You can make frozen one creamy again by beating it with an electric mixer, adding a bit of milk to it, or heating it in the microwave oven.
Can cream cheese be frozen in a casserole?
Yes, it can be frozen in casseroles.
Just put it into a freezer bag or an airtight container and you’ll have some waiting for you whenever you’re ready to use it.
Why does cream cheese get watery?
It can get watery when it is spread onto foods too quickly or if it has been frozen and then thawed.
It should be stirred to redistribute all of its ingredients evenly before using.
What should I do if my cream cheese is too lumpy?
If yours is too lumpy just beat it with an electric mixer to make it smooth again.
If you want to use the lumps for texture, try adding some cheese or other ingredients like veggies or fruit to make a spread.
Is cream cheese good for losing weight?
No, consuming it is not good for losing weight.
It is a high-calorie food and should be eaten in moderation if you are on a diet.
Can you eat cream cheese with bread?
Yes, you can eat it with bread.
It goes very well on toasted bread or bagels, and it is also tasty in sandwiches.
What can you eat with Philadelphia cream cheese?
You can eat Philadelphia cream cheese with toast, bagels, crackers, vegetables, fruits, or whatever you would like.
Clearly, the best way to use it is by eating it.
Or spread it on something else and eat that too.
Try making some fruit spread with sugar and vanilla extract – yum.
Does Philadelphia cream cheese freeze well?
Yes, it freezes well when put in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Just thaw it in the fridge when you are ready to use it again.
Conclusion
All of these recipes are a great way to use up leftover cream cheese.
Whether you choose to make a breakfast casserole, stuffed shells, fondue, or flavored butter, you’re sure to enjoy the delicious results.