Foil-wrapped blocks of cream cheese may as well be wrapped in gold: The creamy spread is an all-star ingredient in so many dishes. Yes, it’s the foundation for our favorite cheesecakes and frostings, but did you know it can also make an instant Alfredo sauce or transform stuffed chicken? These savory recipes all get fantastic richness, body, and tang from a block of cream cheese. Go ahead and give this block permanent real estate in your fridge, right next to the butter.
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Buffalo Chicken Baked Ziti
My Hot Southern Mess
Cream cheese is the secret to the rich sauce that coats every noodle in this baked mac and cheese. It also tames the heat of chopped canned jalapeños, a great addition for kick. “Winner!” says Emily Righter.
Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup
fabeveryday
A delicious, easy to make, cheesy enchilada soup. Use spicy, medium, or mild enchilada sauce and diced tomatoes with green onions to adjust the heat to your preference.
Creamy Chicken Lasagna
Allrecipes / Julia Hartbeck
No need to cook a béchemel sauce before assembling this lasagna: A block of cream cheese melds with the warm broth for an instant creamy base. “It is so good and so rich!” says eyessparkle.
Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Your shortcut to creamy Alfredo sauce is just a package of cream cheese away. It’s stirred right into the pan with melted butter and Parmesan — just add your cooked noodle of choice and toss to coat.
Potato Soup with Cream Cheese
“Printed this one out! We love it.” —Saucylala62
Jalapeño Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas
Shredded chicken combines with cream cheese, onions, and jalapeños in these enchiladas that burst with flavor. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or guacamole on the side to tame the heat.
Ranch and Bacon Chicken with Penne Pasta
fabeveryday
“I made this exactly as written and it turned out great! Lots of chicken, very hearty. I LOVE the flavor of the sauce… I’d definitely make this again, and could even do less chicken next time.” —fabeveryday
Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
Bagel favorites smoked salmon and cream cheese come together once again in these grab-and-go wraps, also an easy appetizer for a crowd. “Everyone loved it and it was easy to make,” says Elena.
Quick and Creamy Pasta Carbonara
“This is amazing! Even the grandkids loved it! Will definitely make it again especially since my husband asked me to make it weekly.” —Goddess921
Cream Cheese Jalapeño Burgers
“My guys loved it. I took another viewers advice and mixed the cheese and jalapeños in with the meat. It tasted great.” —Joy
Cream Cheese Chicken
Brown sugar and Dijon mustard give a sweet and tangy coating to this cream cheese-stuffed chicken. This recipe is also gluten-free, since crunchy nuts are used in place of bread crumbs.
Cream Cheese, Garlic, and Chive Stuffed Chicken
“This turned out very well,” says Momof2. “I used garlic herb cream cheese to add more flavor.”
Spaghetti Pie with Cream Cheese
Allrecipes member
“I made the recipe exactly as described and it was awesome! Very easy and delicious. The whole family loves it. Thank you!” —Pjwgordon
Stuffed Cream Cheese Mushrooms
Carson Downing / Food Styling: Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling: Joseph Wanek
“We loved these! Very easy to make and they taste fantastic. I cooked ours in the air fryer so they only took about 10 minutes” —Crystal Dawn
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
Yoly
“A nice spin on your everyday spaghetti and so much easier than lasagna! The best of both!” —Jacqueline R.
Cowboy Corn Casserole
Photographer: Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Sammy Mila / Prop Styling: Kristen Schooley
This cowboy corn casserole is a made with corn, crispy bacon, a block of cream cheese, and Cheddar. A tasty, cheesy side dish for the whole family.
Million Dollar Chicken Breasts
Photographer: Grant Webster / Food Styling: Shannon Goforth / Prop Styling: Gabriel Greco
“What a way to make the humble chicken breast fancy! This is a VERY rich recipe but so worth the calorie indulgence” —LaDonna Langwell
Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Photographer: Grant Webster / Food Styling: Shannon Goforth / Prop Styling: Sue Mitchell
“Absolutely great, family crushed it.” —Daniel
Loaded Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
This loaded bacon ranch mac and cheese casserole adds bacon and ranch, Cheddar cheese, sour cream, chicken, and broccoli to boxed mac and cheese for a rich, full, all-in-one dinner casserole.
Crockpot Buffalo Mac and Cheese
Peyton Beckwith
“My husband and I love anything buffalo chicken, so of course we had to try this. So good and very easy to make. Love a good crockpot meal.” —Lologu3
