23 Meals You Can Make With The Neglected Block Of Cream Cheese In Your Fridge

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.

A dish of baked macaroni and cheese topped with melted cheddar, dollops of ricotta, and chopped herbs. — Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

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

Creamy tomato tortellini soup made in the Instant Pot in a bowl. — Instant pot creamy tomato tortellini soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

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

A white plate of macaroni salad on a wooden table. The salad includes macaroni noodles, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, yellow bell peppers, and olives, lightly coated in a creamy dressing. A fork is placed beside the plate. — Macaroni and cheese. Photo credit: Saving Talents.

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

A plate with an open sandwich topped with a chicken and cheese mixture, garnished with green onions. Beside it are potato chips. Nearby, there's a glass of water and additional sandwich filling on a platter. The scene is set on a wooden table. — Crack chicken. Photo credit: The Cookin Chicks.

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

A plated enchilada topped with cheese, sour cream, cherry tomatoes, olives, and cilantro. Surrounding are bowls of chopped tomatoes, olives, and herbs, all on a black and white checkered tablecloth. — Creamy chicken enchiladas. Photo credit: Miss in the Kitchen.

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 bell peppers with melted cheese on a plate and in a baking dish. They are garnished with chopped green onions. A bunch of whole green onions is nearby, with a fork and a striped cloth. — Buffalo chicken stuffed peppers. Photo credit: Living Chirpy.

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

A rustic blueberry tart with a slice missing, topped with a dollop of whipped cream. The crust is sprinkled with sliced almonds, and the tart is garnished with lemon zest and edible flowers. It's served on parchment paper. — Blueberry cheesecake galette. Photo credit: Oh My Veg.

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

A baked casserole dish with a golden-brown, crumbly topping. A serving spoon rests on the dish, revealing a creamy, white interior. A portion has been scooped out onto a plate nearby. A textured cloth is folded next to the dish. — Creamy baked mac and cheese. Photo credit: The Virtual Caterer.

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

A white plate filled with rigatoni pasta tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and parsley. A black fork rests on the side of the plate. — Cream cheese pasta. Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

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

A creamy spinach artichoke dip in a white oval baking dish, topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with herbs. A silver spoon is scooping out a portion. рядом with the dish on the table are some dipping items. — Baked spinach artichoke dip. Photo credit: Rebecca Taig.

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

A baked dish of cheesy enchiladas topped with melted cheese and sliced green onions, presented in a white rectangular baking dish. Small bowls with chopped tomatoes and green onions are nearby on a white surface. — Cream cheese chicken enchiladas. Photo credit: JCP Eats.

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

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

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.