Cream cheese’s versatility goes beyond desserts. It can be a delicious meal for dinner as well.
It adds creamy and tangy flavors to savory dinner dishes like stuffed chicken, creamy pastas, and baked potatoes, enhancing the overall richness and taste of the recipes.
You can enjoy its smooth texture and deliciousness in your dinner creations. Let’s get you through the best cream cheese recipes that you can try in your today’s dinner.
Exploring the versatility of cream cheese as an ingredient
Cream cheese, the smooth and velvety delight that graces our bagels and spreads, goes beyond the realm of mere condiments. Its versatility as an ingredient knows no bounds.
From decadent cheesecakes to savory dips and luscious frostings, let’s embark on a journey to unravel the myriad possibilities and delicious wonders that cream cheese brings to our culinary creations.
5 Best Cream Cheese Recipes For Dinner
Let’s dive into the realm of cream cheese and explore the five best cream cheese recipes for dinner that you can try out today!
1. Cream Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Dishes
One of the most delightful ways to enjoy cream cheese in a dinner recipe is by stuffing it inside tender chicken breasts. For those seeking a healthier option, spinach and cream cheese-stuffed chicken roll-ups are an excellent choice.
Cream Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Herbs
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Required Time: 40 minutes
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to a tempting 375°F (190°C).
- Mix softened cream cheese with fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff the chicken breasts with the creamy mixture, securing with toothpicks if needed.
- Sear them in olive oil until golden brown.
- Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove toothpicks and serve hot. Enjoy!
Spinach and Cream Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Roll-Ups
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup chopped spinach, cooked and drained
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Required Time: 45 minutes
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness.
- In a bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, chopped spinach, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly onto each chicken breast.
- Roll up the chicken breasts and secure them with toothpicks.
- Heat some olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken roll-ups until browned on all sides.
- Bake the skillet for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Slice the roll-ups and serve hot.
2. Creamy Pasta Delights
Creamy garlic parmesan pasta is a classic example of how cream cheese can transform a simple pasta dish into a luscious and indulgent meal. If you’re a seafood lover, cream cheese and smoked salmon linguine is a match made in heaven.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Cream Cheese
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Required Time: 20 minutes
Directions:
- Cook the fettuccine pasta according to package instructions.
- In a saucepan, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Heat the saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the saucepan.
- Toss the pasta with the creamy sauce until well coated.
- Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
- Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon Linguine
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces smoked salmon, flaked
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Required Time: 20 minutes
Directions:
- Cook the linguine pasta according to package instructions.
- In a saucepan, combine the softened cream cheese, flaked smoked salmon, capers, chopped fresh dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Then, heat the saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until the cream cheese is creamy.
- Next, drain the cooked pasta and add it to the saucepan.
- Toss the pasta with the creamy sauce until well coated.
- Lastly, season with additional salt and serve hot.
Note: Feel free to add extra dill or lemon juice to taste.
3. Creamy Vegetarian Dishes
Cream cheese is not limited to meat-based dishes; it also enhances vegetarian recipes with its creamy texture and rich taste. For a vegetarian twist on a classic dish, creamy spinach and artichoke stuffed shells are a fantastic choice.
Cream Cheese-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Ingredients:
- 4 large Portobello mushrooms
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Required Time: 35 minutes
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Remove the stems from the Portobello mushrooms and scrape out the gills.
- In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Fill each mushroom cap with the cream cheese mixture.
- Place the stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until tender and golden.
Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Shells
Ingredients:
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cooked spinach, squeezed dry
- 1 cup chopped artichoke hearts
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Required Time: 45 minutes
Directions:
- Cook jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions.
- Mix softened cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, cooked spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, minced garlic, red pepper flakes (optional), salt, and pepper.
- Stuff shells with mixture.
- Pour marinara sauce in a baking dish and place stuffed shells on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes until golden and bubbly.
4. Cream Cheese-Topped Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are a comforting and versatile side dish that can be enjoyed in numerous ways.
Loaded Cream Cheese and Bacon Baked Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 4 large baking potatoes
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/4 cup chopped chives or green onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sour cream (optional, for serving)
Required Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Scrub and pierce the potatoes.
- Bake directly on the oven rack for an hour until tender.
- Mix cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, chives, salt, and pepper.
- Slice open the potatoes, fluff the insides, and spoon the mixture on top.
- Return to the oven for 5-10 minutes until melted.
- Cool and optionally add sour cream.
5. Creamy Soup Creations
Cream cheese adds a luxurious and creamy texture to soups, transforming them into comforting and satisfying meals.
Cream Cheese and Mushroom Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Required Time: 40 minutes
Directions:
- Melt butter in a pot. Sauté onions, mushrooms, and garlic.
- Add vegetable broth and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Whisk cream cheese until smooth and mix in parsley.
- Puree the soup until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Swirl cream cheese mixture into bowls of soup.
- Serve with bread or salad.
Conclusion
Cream cheese is a versatile and delicious ingredient that adds a creamy touch to dinner recipes. From stuffed chicken to creamy pastas and casseroles, cream cheese brings indulgence to the table.
Try these recipes and get creative with cream cheese in your own cooking. Discover your favorite cream cheese creations and elevate your dinner to new heights of deliciousness.
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