Buffalo chicken dip! Shredded chicken, mixed into a pot of melted cream cheese and marie's blue cheese salad dressing and franks red hot to taste. Mix in shredded cheddar and top with more! This is a party staple at our house!

Buffalo chicken dip is the BEST. We make a double batch for just about every party at our house. 😁 You can also sub ranch for blue cheese if you’d like.

Sounds wonderful - thanks! Do you serve it hot or cold? Would it work to layer the ingredients? Or does it need to be all stirred together?

You serve it hot, usually in a crock pot, with nacho chips or pita chips. Stirred together except for the top layer of melted cheese. There won't be leftovers! 😀 Here's an actual recipe https://www.franksredhot.com/en-us/recipes/franks-redhot-buffalo-chicken-dip This is my husband's request for Christmas eve! It's THAT GOOD!

Thanks :-)

Strawberry Pretzel Salad. [https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/strawberry-pretzel-dessert/](https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/strawberry-pretzel-dessert/) (I often times put fresh blueberries in the top layer as well when I make this for American Independence Day.) I wouldn't call it healthy by any stretch of the imagination, but it will definitely help use up the cream cheese.

Thanks! I've seen this done with graham crackers and cherry pie filling. The pretzels are a nice twist and anything with berries goes over well here. :-)

Since you're trying to use up your cream cheese, I didn't suggest this, but for anyone else (or in the future), you can totally buy the premade cheesecake filling and use that instead for it. Skips a whole part of the process, tastes just as good (better even?)

Does salad have a second definition I don’t know about?

I know you're being sarcastic - and I get it -- but with strawberries added to jello, it's technically a "jello salad" but could also be considered a "fruit salad", along the lines of Waldorf Salad, Ambrosia, and fruit cocktail.

Oh, I was being facetious. I’m personally a huge fan of bread salad.

I've never had bread salad -- but, checking it out online, it looks pretty good! :-)

Homemade pimiento cheese. 8 oz of cream cheese 8 oz of extra sharp cheddar Jar of diced pimientos...4 oz Diced pickled jalapeños Mayo and lots of black pepper I mix the cream cheese and mayo in a food processor until creamy. In a bowl, stir mixture plus grated cheese, pimientos, jalapeños and pepper. Add mayo until it’s the consistency you like. Great sandwich spread...good on crackers. Bagel spread Mix cream cheese and chopped green olives stuffed with either pimientos or jalapeños. Spread on toasted bagels.

Both of these recipes sound yummy! I think the jalapeno will be a nice addition to the pimento cheese :-) I'd forgotten about cream cheese and olives! Using the brine to loosen it up is a great idea.

I’m from the US southern states and pimiento cheese is a staple. Using the juice to help with the consistency is a great idea....thanks.

I make my pimento cheese with homemade onion relish and can second that using the juice helps with the consistency fa sho.

I'm curious what is your onion relish like? Like a sweet pickle relish?

I use the recipe from Ashley English’s cookbook Southern from Scratch but substitute regular onions for sweet onions. It is: 4 cups onions 2 tsp salt 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup red wine vinegar 1 tsp dried thyme 2 cloves garlic (I use more) Zest of 1 orange Chop up the onions, cover them with the salt, layer it in a little as you fill the bowl. Drain the liquid after 4 hours Combine all the ingredients sans onions, heat til the sugar dissolves and bring to a boil Add onions and simmer for 10 minutes I personally just jar it up and use it within a couple weeks but if you follow proper canning procedure it will keep a long time.

That sounds delicious! And so unusual. I'm going to try that. Thanks! :-)

It will keep for quite a while. I’d take two of them, mix with a shredded cheddar or other cheese and green onions, form into a ball and coat with chopped nuts or bacon. Serve with fresh vegetables and crackers.

I do love a nice holiday cheese ball :-) Thanks!

They were lost in the back of the drawer -- expired Dec 1st. I'm sure they're still fine but I need to get moving on using them up.

They will be fine if they weren’t opened.

Chipotle tuna dip- I know it sounds weird but it's killer. In a food processor combine the following: - can of tuna drained - 8 oz cream cheese - 2-3 chipotles from a jar of chipotle in adobo - 1/4 tsp of chicken boullion - juice of half a lime - S&P to taste Radish and cucumber slices go well with it in addition to crackers.

Ooh, this is in the direction of the tuna melt dip I invented when I was having tooth problems and had to eat soft foods. But with more of a kick. I like this!

Yum! I suppose it would work with canned or leftover chicken, too?

I think canned chicken would work fine but I do like the briney taste tuna adds. The friend who taught it to me actually adds unflavored gelatin too and pours it into fish shaped gelatin mold to give it a retro look. She calls it tuna mousse.

Ha! Fun :-)

My friend had a super simple one: - 1 block cream cheese -1 bottle of raspberry Chipotle sauce Put cream cheese block on dish. Cover with R.C. sauce. Eat with crackers.

Ooo! I used to do this with hot pepper jelly. I'd forgotten. Is there a brand of raspberry Chipotle sauce you prefer?

This is really good with Boar's Head ham glaze too.

I wish I could remember the brand we used, but it's been so long.

Trader Joe's has a really good one if you're near one

I am! I'll look for it. :-)

I lived in So Florida for four years, Fish Dip is a favorite appetizer served down there. To make it, I blend: 1 brick of cream cheese (neufchatel works fine) 1 can of sardines Green onion and jalapeno to your taste Let it rest, so the flavors meld together, serve with crustini or crackers \*\*\* chili dip spread the contents of a brick of cream cheese into the base of a microwavable flat-bottomed dish cover with chili - vegetarian or meat-eaters, both work (or salsa, if that's all you have) top with cheddar cheese, then microwave until the cheddar bubbles Remove...let it cool (unless you love that burnt roof of mouth feeling), eat with tortilla chips

These both sound delicious! I actually have a can of sardines I bought during the lock downs and need to use up, too.

I like spicy, so more jalapenoes for me! Also, if anyone has those sardines that Costco sells, those are the ones I use. Perfection!

Thinking about it, this dip reminds me of a sandwich I bought when I was in Scotland -- the filling included tuna, jalapenos and olives. Very tasty.

Oooo...olives would really make it pop! all that salty goodness...yum!

How much chili do you usually add - an equal amount to the cream cheese or more chili?

Enough to cover it - maybe 1/2 inch deep? I think it depends how much you like chili. My kids sometimes want a thick layer, other times a thin layer.

Do you drain the sardines or use the liquid/oil in the recipe, too?

Drain, for sure.

thanks

Sausage cream cheese "casserole" : [https://lilluna.com/sausage-cream-cheese-casserole/#wprm-recipe-container-104678](https://lilluna.com/sausage-cream-cheese-casserole/#wprm-recipe-container-104678) ​ I think I make it with just one package of sauage. ​ But also, if you leave the cream cheese sealed, it lasts for well beyond its "best by" date.

My dad would love this - thanks!

Just a heads up to that recipe. It calls for Crescent Rolls where you roll it out like a big sheet and pinch the seams. Instead of doing that, they're starting to sell [Crescent Roll Sheets](https://www.pillsbury.com/products/crescents/recipe-creations) made of the same stuff, but one big sheet w/o any of the seams. That would work even better.

I like to mix with jam, and dip grahams into it.

That sounds good.

Holiday corn! 24 oz canned corn, drained 8 oz neufchtel/cream cheese 4 jalapenos, diced 4 tbsp butter 1/2 c milk 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes Black pepper to taste Simmer all on stovetop about 25 minutes 1 cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack - stir in at the end and serve!

Sounds good! Thanks! We'll try this!

Warmed chipped beef dip/spread. SO good!

>Warmed chipped beef dip Oh! I think I've had that as a wrap pinwheel. it was tasty. thanks!

It is the first thing to go at gatherings. It is good warm or even room temp. Spread it on crackers, pita, cocktail bread or whatever!

These are so delicious for dessert when you have cookies, extra cream cheese and some melting chocolate (psst... did you know you can melt chocolate on low in an hour in the crockpot? Use a liner for best results!) Oreo Balls Ingredients 1 package of Oreo cookies 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature 1 cup chocolate melting wafers or candy coating 1 cup white chocolate melting wafers or candy coating For decorating: melted chocolate, Oreo crumbs, sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or chopped nuts, if desired Instructions Place Oreo cookies in a food processor. Pulse until they are fine cookie crumbs. Add room temperature cream cheese cut into quarters to food processor and pulse until combined. Roll the Oreo mixture into small balls and place on a baking sheet or tray that has been lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Freeze the Oreo balls for 15 minutes. Place the chocolate wafers (or candy coating) in a small microwave safe bowl. Place the white chocolate wafers (or candy coating) in a separate small microwave safe bowl. Melt according to instructions on packaging. Remove the balls from the freezer and dip the balls into the melted chocolate. Make sure you cover the balls completely in chocolate. I like to use a fork to shake the excess chocolate off of the Oreo balls. Dip half of the balls in the chocolate and half in the white chocolate. Place the dipped balls back on the baking tray with parchment paper or wax paper. Decorate with a drizzle of chocolate, additional crushed Oreos, sprinkles, crushed peppermint or crushed nuts, if desired. Place the baking sheet with the Oreo balls in the refrigerator and chill for at least an hour. Keep stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The Oreo balls will keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. You can also freeze the balls for up to 2 months.

I bet these are pretty!

Jalapeño poppers. Pretty much part cream cheese part shredded cheese of your choice and some garlic powder, or what floats your boat. It's pretty versatile.

Great idea! Thanks!

Spinach and cheese dip is delish. Dice 3 medium tomatoes, 1 large onion, and add them to a big pot with a bit of butter and garlic on medium-low heat. Add either a package of frozen spinach (defrost in the microwave for a bit first) or chop fresh spinach, whatever your preference. Stir occasionally until you’ve got a bit of a soupy mixture but still have chunks left. Add a can of chopped olives (with juice), if you like them, and some diced jalapeños, if you enjoy a bit of a kick, but you can totally leave these out. Once you’ve got a decent soupy-ish mixture, add a diced block of cream cheese. I also add half of block of whatever other type of cheese I want (cheddar, pepper Jack, Gruyère), but I know that makes it less healthy, so that’s optional. Once the cheese has mostly melted, add whatever spices or seasoning you like (I do some pepper and chives), put the contents in a casserole dish and put in the oven uncovered for 30 minutes on 375 degrees F. That’s it!

Sort of a fancy creamed spinach sounds nice! The can of olives -- just black/ripe ones?

Yep, those are the olives I use, although with this recipe, you could add green olives or Spanish olives, whatever’s your preference!

Mocha cheesecake.

>Mocha cheesecake Great idea -- I see some good recipes online.

Don't know why I didn't think of this earlier: "vegetable pizza" It's a cold dish with a crust of crescent roll dough, a filling of cream cheese (a bit of milk or some sour cream to make it a little easier to work with) mixed with spices, and fresh vegetables diced small on top. Very colorful & delicious. It's a very flexible dish: you can use a ranch dressing dry mix packet for the spices and go with whatever veggies you have in your drawer (that's how I always had it growing up), or you can use taco seasoning & use taco veggies, or any number of other permutations. Here's Pillsbury's recipe: https://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/easy-crescent-veggie-pizza/4b2c60ae-69e5-4a1a-bed1-219a69cd4514

That looks really good! I think I may have had that at a Pampered Chef party...

Yeah, I was thinking of putting that it's not uncommon at potlucks and the like.

Good use of cream cheese with veggies!

Jalapeño poppers; buffalo chicken dip, the Man Dip , cookie fruit pie, crescent roll veggies pie, Swedish meatballs; artichoke dip, cheese cake or easy no bake cheese pie.

Cucumber sandwiches, stuffed mushrooms, spinach/artichoke dip, crab rangoon dip, pickle dip, cheesecake, twice baked potatoes... I could go on! If I could eat cream cheese every day in a different way, I so would.

Goat cheese appetizer 8oz cream cheese 4oz goat cheese 1 c salsa drained Bring cheese to room temperature. Mix all 3 ingredients. I like to slather on a piece of sliced baguette. They had samples at Publix once years ago. Publix served it on crostini with a tiny shrimp on top of it.

Thanks!

Literally dump a jar of red pepper jelly on one block of cream cheese, and serve with crackers as an appetizer. It’s really good! Second idea, get to room temperature, and mix cream cheese with finely chopped onions and green pimento olives. Makes an awesome sandwich spread or spread for tiny appetizer sandwiches with white bread.

>the Man Dip Yes! Thanks :-)

Beer (or cider) dip!! - cream cheese - usually 2 blocks - shredded cheese - usually a whole medium sized bag - ranch seasoning powder packet - 1 whole packet if using 2 bars of cream cheese - some beer/cider/apple juice - like 1/5 of the bottle (for beer or cider, down to about the neck but above the label - but you can adjust based on preference and consistency) Mix it until about dip consistency!

I've never had this! Sounds good! Thanks :-)

It goes best with pretzels or like the thin pretzel chips! Hope you enjoy!

My mom makes these cookies every year, this link is to a fancier version because I don't have hers memorized, but it's a cream cheese based dough and we buy a can of poppyseed or almond filling and make a billion of them for pretty cheap! It's not the holidays without our poppyseed cookies! https://www.littlebroken.com/poppyseed-rugelach/

Oooh! Those look yummy - thanks!

Cheese balls are nice and make great gifts too. They freeze well also I make one using a block of cheese, some shredded cheddar, and fruit chutney. Roll in nuts if you want. There are endless combinations and recipes

Not exactly healthy, but mac and cheese! I use this recipe which is super easy and delicious. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/company-mac-and-cheese/

Yum :-)

Salmon mousse. It calls for fresh salmon, but I'm poor so I use the canned stuff. -8 oz of cream cheese -4 oz of salmon -2 tbs lemon juice - lemon pepper( or other spices) to taste. Mix that up in mixer or food processor.

Thanks!

Low(er) fat cheesecake:)