Q: I sent my husband to our local bulk warehouse store for a few ingredients, and he came home with a HUGE container of cream cheese....for the two of us. We are on a low-sugar diet, so I don't want to make desserts. Do you have any suggestions for savory dishes that use cream cheese?
Sent by Emma
Editor: Emma, you can make a small dent in the cream cheese by spreading it on sandwiches, or mixing it with herbs and eating it with fresh vegetables, like in this recipe:
• Spring Appetizer: Pea Pods Stuffed with Herbed Cream Cheese
I know that will only make a small dent, though! Readers, do you have any ideas for savory dishes that use cream cheese?
Related: Smear it On: Add Cream Cheese to Your Sandwiches
(Image: Foodatarian.com)
TW Salt Mill by Wil...

Baked Mac and Cheese recipes often call for cream cheese in the sauce to make it even creamier!
I use some in stuffed mushrooms, when available.
As a party appetizer: a half-brick (or ice-cream-scoop full), under a half-jar of good chutney, with crackers to schmear it on. I tend to prepare 3-4 bowls of this for cocktail parties, since they get emptied so quickly.
I love this jalapeno popper dip: http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/jalapenopopperdip/ (take out the breadcrumbs to make it gluten-free)
I don't have a recipe for this, but I recently had a savory (lemon and basil) cheesecake as an appetizer, which was to die for. Perhaps experimenting with that might be good?
Cream cheese makes a good addition to scrambled eggs.
the easiest method is to sprinkle a few cubes of cream cheese into the cooking eggs. You'll get the eggs plus a melty pockets of cheese when done.
Add your favorite savory ingredients for variety, chopped herbs, smoked salmon or smoked trout, etc
I add room-temperature cream cheese to my cream of potato soup instead of cream. Its delicious. I imagine you could do the same to other creamy soups.
Good for making cheeseballs if you're entertaining. Mix in things like Parmesan cheese, olives, maybe some peppers, some nuts, play around with it.
I like to put cream cheese in spaghetti sauce right before serving and stir it through until it's melted... yum.
My dad makes enchiladas with them!
He mixes shredded chicken with pace picante sauce and cream cheese, fills tortillas with them, rolls them and tops with picante sauce, tops with shredded cheese and bakes them until the cheese is melted.
It sounds a little strange, but they are delicious!
I love adding a little cream cheese to my scrambled eggs or omelets! Mmm.
definitely use it in soups! especially delicious melted into tomato soup. you could make a cheese ball to snack on. use it for stuffed shells with ricotta, in sauces, there are so many options!
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/07/zucchini-ribbon-pasta-with-light-creamy-lemon-basil-sauce/
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/01/italian-potato-sausage-soup/
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/08/eggs-on-toast-with-creamy-spinach-sauce/
you could also consult the Philadelphia website for ideas.
I haven't tried this yet but am intrigued by a recipe for miso infused cream cheese from the October issue of Food and Wine magazine.
<http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/miso-infused-cream-cheese-spread>
Steam or boil cauliflower until soft and then mash with cream cheese, a bit of sour cream and chives. Nice alternative to mashed potatoes.
Taco dips or maybe a spinach-artichoke bake?
I like mashed potatoes mixed up with some cream cheese and garlic or onion powder.
One of my favorite crockpot recipes uses a block of cream cheese:
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Garlic-Beef-Stroganoff
I also have smoked salmon with cream cheese on crackers for breakfast quite a bit.
Stuffed Zucchini
http://www.katrina-runs.com/stuffed-zucchini
Chiles en nogada.
Make this now.
You can also freeze cream cheese pretty successfully. Wrap it up in plastic or foil to keep the air out. When it thaws it will have an odd, crumbly texture but if you warm it up in the microwave a little, stir, and chill, it will go back to almost the same texture. If you are going to cook with it, you don't even need that extra step since melting it will change the texture anyway.
I make my own soft white cheese and eat it everyday. I must admit though, I eat it mostly with dark chocolate cookies ;o). But I also use it on toast or with fresh fruits.
You can also blend it with herbs, or roasted red peppers, garlic or onions, then you can use it as a spread or a dip.
It's great in mashed potatoes! I also love it in Artichoke and Spinach dip. Try this one (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/slow-cooker-spinach-dip-recipe/index.html) but add some fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and crushed red pepper.
Mix it with warm broth or stock to make a creamy sauce for a veggie dish or whatever you're cooking. Try sauteing veggies (mushrooms, bell peppers, green beans, etc.) add a splash of veggie or chicken stock to the skillet, mix in some cream cheese and stir it in until melted. I always like to mix in cooked tortellini and then dump everything into a casserole dish and bake it, covered, for about 30 minutes at 350F. That is a warm and hearty meal, although not super healthy. (Is there a 'healthy' cream cheese recipe out there?)
It's also good mixed into cooked taco meat and stuffed into large cooked pasta shells. Top the stuffed shells with salsa, sprinkle with a little shredded cheese and bake until the cheese is melted.
It's funny, I almost never use cream cheese for sweet recipes; most of my cream cheese usage is in savory dishes.
I make spinach and cream cheese quiches in my muffin tins. Great for breakfast, dinner or as something to take to a potluck.
I make jalapeño cheese poppers!
In time for game day and its baked and healthier
http://mdcooksfor2.blogspot.com/2012/05/baked-jalapeno-cheese-poppers.html
My parents mix cream cheese with chopped green olives for sandwiches. I always thought it was gross, but now that I'm older, I can see the appeal.
You could also make a spread similar to Boursin by combining the cream cheese with butter, thyme, dill, garlic, basil, and chives.
A really easy party snack is too get a block or top of cream cheese and smother it in sweet chili sauce, serve with crackers and sticks of celery and carrot. It's really good.
Also, cream cheese can be melted down and used as a sauce for pasta, once while camping I was introduced to a carbonara style sauce using cream cheese melted down mixed with some water to thin it out and bacon and spring onions. It's pretty delicious and if you are cooking it at home and not in the middle-of-nowhere you could try adding things like mushrooms, asparagus, onions or garlic for more flavor.
Cream cheese is also a really good substitute for butter in pastry and makes a really creamy smooth pastry for things like quiches and tarts. I also had a great recipe for a chicken pie which had a custard like filling made of cream cheese beaten with eggs, milk and cream. Maybe you could try something like that.
If it's philly or similar maybe have a look at the brand website for some recipe ideas.
squash and ham spaghetti YUM!
I use it as an alternative to heavy cream in a alfredo variation... little bit healthier, and I don't mind the difference in taste when combined with a sharp cheese.
Let a chunk come to room temperature, pour salsa over it, serve with veggies, bread or chips.
If you really want to gild the lily, as the saying goes, take your cream-cheese-and-chili-sauce suggestion and add crabmeat as the top layer. Very tasty!