That block of cream cheese isn’t going to use itself. It’s been sitting there long enough, and you either use it or let it go to waste. Cream cheese makes sauces smoother, baked goods richer, and basic meals better. It works in everything from dinner to dessert, so there’s no excuse to let it sit untouched. Here’s some delicious inspiration for every meal.
Apple carrot cake pancakes
These pancakes taste like carrot cake and get topped with a maple cream cheese drizzle. Perfect for fall, or for when you just need an excuse to put cream cheese on breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Apple carrot cake pancakes
Cream cheese chicken
Chicken breast gets seasoned, smothered in cream cheese, and baked until it’s creamy and tender. This is an easy way to turn basic chicken into something worth eating.
Get the Recipe: Cream cheese chicken
Spaghetti Alfredo with broccoli
Alfredo sauce made lighter but still creamy? That’s what happens when cream cheese sneaks its way in. Toss it with spaghetti and broccoli, and dinner is done.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti alfredo with broccoli
Instant Pot creamy tomato tortellini soup
This instant pot soup is creamy, cheesy, and packed with tomato flavor. Cream cheese makes the broth extra rich, and the tortellini soaks it all up. Dinner in no time.
Get the Recipe: Instant pot creamy tomato tortellini soup
Macaroni and cheese
That block of cream cheese in your fridge finally has a job. This instant pot mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and done in no time. Stir in some ham or veggies if you want to pretend it’s a balanced meal. Either way, it’s an easy dinner that keeps everyone happy.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni and cheese
Crack chicken
Slow cooker crack chicken is the kind of meal that disappears fast. Shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and bacon all melt together into something dangerously good. Slap it on a sandwich, scoop it with chips, or eat it straight from the pot—we won’t judge.
Get the Recipe: Crack chicken
Creamy chicken enchiladas
These enchiladas are what happens when cream cheese and Tex-Mex collide. Stuffed tortillas smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce make this an easy crowd-pleaser. It’s a great way to use that cream cheese before it gets lost in the fridge again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy chicken enchiladas
Buffalo chicken stuffed peppers
Stuffed peppers, but way better. Instead of beef and rice, these are loaded with spicy buffalo chicken and plenty of cream cheese to keep things rich and creamy. They’re easy to prep and bring some serious heat to dinner.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo chicken stuffed peppers
Beef stroganoff
One-pot beef stroganoff brings big, creamy flavor with minimal effort. The sauce is thick, rich, and exactly what that lonely block of cream cheese was meant for. Skip the takeout—this comes together faster than waiting for delivery.
Get the Recipe: Beef stroganoff
Creamy buffalo chicken pasta
If buffalo chicken dip and pasta had a baby, this would be it. Cream cheese, hot sauce, and shredded cheese come together in a 30-minute dinner that actually feels like comfort food. You’ll want seconds.
Get the Recipe: Creamy buffalo chicken pasta
Blueberry cheesecake galette
This is what happens when a cheesecake and a pie decide to team up. A buttery crust holds a creamy, tangy cream cheese filling with fresh blueberries on top. It’s the perfect excuse to use up that extra cream cheese.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry cheesecake galette
Creamy baked mac and cheese
This baked mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and topped with homemade croutons for a crispy bite. That extra block of cream cheese? It melts right into the sauce, making everything smooth and extra rich.
Get the Recipe: Creamy baked mac and cheese
Cream cheese pasta
Dinner in 20 minutes? Done. Cream cheese melts into a silky sauce that clings to every bite of pasta. It’s simple, it’s fast, and it makes that forgotten block of cream cheese earn its keep.
Get the Recipe: Cream cheese pasta
Baked spinach artichoke dip
This baked dip is creamy, cheesy, and packed with spinach and artichokes. Whether it’s a party snack or just an excuse to eat chips for dinner, this is a great way to use up that extra cream cheese.
Get the Recipe: Baked spinach artichoke dip
Cream cheese chicken enchiladas
These enchiladas come together in no time and always hit the spot. Cream cheese blends into the sauce, making them extra creamy and extra good. They’re easy to make and even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Cream cheese chicken enchiladas
Buffalo chicken mac and cheese
Take two comfort foods, smash them together, and this is what you get. Creamy mac and cheese meets spicy buffalo chicken in a slow cooker meal that practically makes itself.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo chicken mac and cheese
keto crack chicken
This is crack chicken at its best—chicken stuffed and topped with melted cheddar, bacon, and ranch. Cream cheese holds everything together, making each bite extra creamy and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: keto crack chicken
Creamy sausage orzo skillet
This one-pot meal is creamy, hearty, and packed with sausage and orzo. The cream cheese in the sauce makes it extra smooth, and a little red pepper flakes keep things interesting.
Get the Recipe: Creamy sausage orzo skillet
Cajun crab dip
This creamy cajun crab dip is loaded with lump crab, cheddar, parmesan, and just the right amount of spice. Cream cheese keeps everything thick and scoopable, making it a great addition to any party spread.
Get the Recipe: Cajun crab dip
Cream cheese brownies
These cheesecake brownies don’t mess around. A rich, fudgy brownie base swirled with thick, tangy cream cheese makes every bite ridiculously good. That extra cream cheese in your fridge finally has a real purpose.
Get the Recipe: Cream cheese brownies
Smoked cream cheese
TikTok was onto something with this one. Smoking a block of cream cheese turns it into a creamy, smoky, spreadable masterpiece. Add some jalapeños for heat, and it’s game over.
Get the Recipe: Smoked cream cheese
Stuffed cream cheese chicken burritos
These burritos are packed with creamy, cheesy chicken, black beans, and rice. If you need an excuse to use up that block of cream cheese, this is a great one.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed cream cheese chicken burritos
Spinach cream cheese chicken roulade
This sounds fancy, but it’s actually simple. Chicken is stuffed with a creamy spinach and cream cheese filling, then rolled up and baked. It’s a great way to make a regular chicken dinner feel a little more special.
Get the Recipe: Spinach cream cheese chicken roulade
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
