Got a box or two of cream cheese in the fridge that you don’t know what to do with? Well don’t throw it away. Here are some delicious ideas on what you can make with that cream cheese and a few other ingredients.
Leftover Cream Cheese Ideas
Add it to Your Eggs
Take your cream cheese and add it to an omelet or scrambled eggs for some added protein. This is a great way to add extra nutrition to your breakfast.
Stuff your French Toast
Butter a French loaf and spread cream cheese all over the bread. Separate the eggs and beat the whites into a stiff peak. Add them to the bread along with some sugar, cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Mix well and cook on either a pan or griddle. Serve warm with syrup or honey.
Make a Cream Cheese Pancake Sandwich
Use your leftover cream cheese to make pancakes that are stuffed inside of another pancake and then buttered on both sides .
Add to Oatmeal
Add extra protein to your breakfast by adding some cheese to your oatmeal. Just add a little bit of milk and stir in some cream cheese.
Cream Cheese Crepe Filling
Rip or cut about a half a cup of leftover cream cheese into small squares. Whisk in a little salt, pepper and any dry herbs you wish to use. You can also add some fresh mushrooms to this mix. This is excellent for sweet or savory breakfast crepes.
Cream Cheese Mousse
Cream cheese can be used as a base for mousse. Just add some to your favorite recipe for a rich and decadent twist.
Add it to Your Fondue
Take a half a cup of leftover cream cheese and mix it with sour cream or crème fraiche and cinnamon. Add a little sugar to thicken the mixture. Pour this into your fondue pot or individual cups.
Add it to a Cheesecake
Add some leftover cream cheese to your homemade or store bought cheesecake for an even richer treat. You can even add it after the cheesecake has been baked and cooled. If you want to make it a little sweeter, add in some chocolate chips or lemon zest.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Cream cheese can be used in place of butter along with sugar and vanilla extract for a delicious frosting on cupcakes or cakes.
Cream Cheese Crackers
Combine a half cup of your leftover cream cheese with flour, sugar and a pinch of baking soda. Add in some milk or buttermilk if needed. The mixture should be about as thick as pancake batter for very soft crackers but thicker for crispier ones. Drop these by the teaspoonful onto a cookie sheet or aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool completely before serving them.
Mix Into Brownies
Bake your favorite brownies and then cut them into small squares or rectangles. Mix some of the cream cheese with the chopped nuts, raisins or whatever you choose to mix in and pour this mixture onto the top of your brownies for a fun and delicious treat.
Put Cream Cheese Into Yogurt
Take a cup of plain yogurt and add in one quarter cup of reserved cream cheese. Stir until well combined. Serve with fresh fruit or granola for breakfast.
Add to Popcorn
Use your leftover cream cheese and melt with some butter to make a popcorn topping that is delicious and different. Pop in a movie and enjoy with the family.
Make A Cream Cheese Danish
In addition to using cream cheese in numerous recipes, you can also create a Danish treat with this ingredient by spreading a dollop of cream cheese onto a croissant, then topping it with whipped cream cheese and sliced strawberries. It’s easy and delicious.
Grilled Cream Cheese and Jelly Sandwich
Spread peanut butter onto one side of a piece of bread, then use the other slice of bread to spread cream cheese over the peanut butter. Then add strawberry or raspberry jam and top with another slice of bread. Cook on a hot grill for both sides until golden brown and delicious.
Cream Cheese Cookies
Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla to your favorite frosting recipe and add in a half cup of leftover cream cheese. Stir until well incorporated. Add a few more vanilla beans if desired for an even richer flavor.
Top Your Waffles
Whip up some homemade waffles and then make Belgian waffles but replace the whipped cream with cream cheese. Add in your favorite fruit or nuts and enjoy an awesome and original breakfast.
Savory Cream Cheese Dishes
Mix it in with Your Soup or Salad
Try adding your cream cheese into your soup or salad for an extra yummy addition. This is such a great way to use up some of that leftover cream cheese and give your family something that they have never tried before.
Crab Rangoon (Wontons)
Crab Rangoon’s are one of the best appetizers to make with leftover cream cheese that you’ve ever tasted. These tasty delights are bite-sized appetizers.
Spread on a Pizza
Spread some cream cheese on a pizza dough and top with your favorite meat and toppings. You can even make a Calzones or even a Quiche using this idea.
Stuffed Chicken Breast
A classic stuffed chicken breast is perfect for using up your leftover cream cheese. There are a ton of great recipes out there to try so this is a great way to finish up that cream cheese.
Add it to Grilled Cheese
Spread some cream cheese onto your bread and top with ham or turkey and then add some real cheddar cheese on top. Then place in the oven for about 10 minutes. There is nothing better than this for a mid-day snack.
Jalapeño Poppers
Dip your jalapeño poppers in sour cream and then roll them in some cream cheese. Then sprinkle with chili powder and sea salt for a nice finishing touch.
Add To Salmon or Chicken
Use it to make delicious salmon burgers or chicken sandwiches. You can even make a double batch of the meat mixture and freeze them for another time. Use various cheeses that match your tastes.
Garnish Your Salad With It
Use it to make a yummy dip for your salad. Mix everything together and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
Make Cheese Ball Poppers
As the name implies, these are poppers made with cream cheese spread in a ball form. It’s a popular party snack that is easy to make and serves many people. Here’s what you do.
Start with your favorite meat or vegetables (cooked bacon crumbles are a classic). Cut pieces of provolone to about 1 inch by ¾ inch each, approximately 24 pieces in all (about ¾ cup). Put the cheese cubes into a small bowl and add ½ cup of softened cream cheese. Mix until well combined. Roll a piece of the cheese mixture into a ball and place on a small piece of aluminum foil. (You should have 24 balls.) Wrap each ball in aluminum foil. Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours so that they can harden. When ready to serve, remove from refrigerator and unwrap one popper.
Add to Mashed Potatoes
Serve these up with mashed potatoes and you have the perfect meal. Stir it in while mashing and it adds a rich and creamy flavor to your standard mashed potatoes.
Make Stuffed Meatballs
A cream cheese sauce will turn ordinary meatballs into a mouth-watering meal that will have everyone raving. Add a small cube of cream cheese to the center of each meatball before cooking for a wonderful flavor addition.
Bottom Line
Try these ideas for the holidays to add some flavor to your traditional favorites. Show everyone you’re a gourmet chef with your unique use of cream cheese on top!