• Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Entrees
    • Gluten Free
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Healthy Living & Weight Loss
    • Exercise
    • Weight Loss
    • Healthy Living Tips
  • Travel
  • About
    • About Me
    • Work with Me
    • FAQ
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Cream Cheese Spread Recipe

Jun 10, 2011 by Dara 52 Comments

Share114
Pin4.9K
Tweet
Yum52
5.1K Shares

This easy cream cheese spread comes together in less than 10 minutes and is flavored with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil.
Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Cream Cheese Spread Recipe | cookincanuck.com

When the thermostat edges toward the 100 degree mark in the middle of summer, I start to wilt like an under-watered flower and do whatever I can to stay cool. Of course, that often involves standing directly over an air-conditioning vent…wearing a skirt…but I have also been known to stick my head into the freezer or join my kids in the sprinklers for a speedy cool down. When it is that hot out, my energy reserves are pretty low. Okay, I get pretty cranky too. What can I say? I’m not a hot weather girl, yet somehow I ended up living in a desert climate. Crazy. Low energy reserves means I need plenty of recipes – appetizer, entree, you name it – that require few ingredients and little effort. This sun-dried tomato and basil cream cheese spread fits the bill.

All that is required for this recipe is stirring chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil into softened cream cheese. Spread it on toasted baguette slices or crackers for an easy appetizer or use it to dress up bagels and wrap sandwiches. Now excuse me while I head back to my vent.

The recipe:

In a medium bowl, using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, press and stir the cream cheese until smooth.

Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Cream Cheese Spread Recipe | cookincanuck.com

Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, basil and salt. Serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.

Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Cream Cheese Spread Recipe | cookincanuck.com

Other cream cheese spread recipes:

Farmgirl Fare’s Refreshing Radish Spread/Dip
Sippity Sup’s Dill and Chive Cream Cheese Spread
Gourmeted’s Endives with Lox & Cream Cheese Spread
One Perfect Bite’s Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly Spread

0.0 rating

Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Cream Cheese Spread Recipe

Print shopping list
Loading nutrition data...
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Yields Makes about 1Β½ cups

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. 1/3-less-fat (Neufchatel) cream cheese, softened
  • 6 tbsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp thinly sliced fresh basil
  • Pinch of salt

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, press and stir the cream cheese until smooth. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, basil and salt. Serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.

by From the kitchen of cookincanuck.com

Recipe Notes

From the kitchen of Cookin' Canuck | cookincanuck.com

Share114
Pin4.9K
Tweet
Yum52
5.1K Shares

Filed Under: Appetizers Tagged With: basil, cream cheese, Dip, easy, quick, spread, sun-dried tomato

« Easy Strawberry & Yogurt Muffin Recipe
Grilled Potatoes with Smoked Paprika Recipe, Plus Get Grillin’ Side Dishes »

 

Ready to create a healthy lifestyle through food, exercise & habits?

Subscribe by email to get recipes, tips and game plans delivered to your inbox!

Comments

  1. Maria says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 8:10 am

    Great summer spread! We planted a lot of basil and I can’t wait to use it!

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:01 am

      We have a few plants as well and there were just enough leaves for this recipe.

      Reply
  2. Heather at Heathers Dish says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 9:13 am

    Dips and spreads are such a weakness of mine! This sounds amazing!

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:01 am

      Me too, Heather. I could snack on them all day.

      Reply
  3. claudia lamascolo/aka pegasuslegend says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 9:14 am

    looks great and has all the flavors I love!

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:02 am

      Yes, I thought this might appeal to your Italian taste buds, Claudia.

      Reply
  4. Jenny Flake says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 9:18 am

    Now this is my kind of cream cheese spread! Yum!! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:02 am

      Thanks, Jenny. You too!

      Reply
  5. Explora Cuisine says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 9:39 am

    Soo good, I love sun dried tomatoes! this spread is perfect at breakfast, mmm, can’t wait! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:02 am

      I actually had some spread on toast this morning and it was really good.

      Reply
  6. Maris (In Good Taste) says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 9:41 am

    This is a wonderful summer spread! Have a very nice weekend!

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:02 am

      Thanks, Maris. I hope you have a great weekend, too.

      Reply
  7. Jean (Lemons and Anchovies) says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 9:46 am

    We have a good friend who lives in SLC so I’ve spent lots of weeks cycling in your neck of the woods in the summer. I know how hot it can be. We’d have to start our bike rides pretty early in the morning to make sure we’re back before my midday.

    This dip would definitely satisfy on a hot day. I love the flavor combination you selected, too. Where are the crackers? πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:03 am

      Jean, you hit the nail on the head. Everything ambitious needs to be done by noon.

      Reply
  8. Asiya @ Chocolate & Chillies says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 9:47 am

    Looks yummy and very easy to make! I don’t think I would be able to stop eating this πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:03 am

      Asiya, I have the same problem. I can’t stop eating it.

      Reply
  9. Sanjeeta kk says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 10:07 am

    Love this easy-peasy cheesy spread! Need to make this weekend.

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:03 am

      I hope you enjoy it, Sanjeeta.

      Reply
  10. Heidi @ Food Doodles says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 10:25 am

    Mmm, that looks so good. I love flavored cream cheeses and I love all the flavors in this πŸ˜€

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:04 am

      Thanks, Heidi. There’s something so good about flavored cream cheeses. They are a great way to make sandwiches more interesting.

      Reply
  11. Brooks at Cakewalker says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 11:01 am

    Yummeee! Hi Dara, I just came over from spotting this wonderful spread on Savory Sights. I love cheese spreads and so does my family. Other than you sharing this recipe, do you want to know what the best part is? I’ve got ALL the igredients, including fresh basil growing in the yard…thank you & happy munching! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:05 am

      Thanks, Brooks. And do you know how I came up with this recipe? I had all the ingredients in my garden or fridge, too! You have to love recipes that don’t require a trip to the store.

      Reply
  12. Barbara | Creative Culinary says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 11:14 am

    So much of what I make is from seeing what I need to use up but I seldom think of those ‘dishes’ as post worthy…but this sure is. And reminds me; I need to GET some basil planted, this weekend…thanks!

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 11:17 am

      I go through that same thought process – “Why would anyone want to read about this?” But you know what, the simple, throw-together recipes end up being some of my most popular ones.

      Reply
  13. Lauren at Keep It Sweet says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 11:45 am

    I agree with you, in the hot weather, simple recipes are definitely preferred. Plus, I’d rather spend more time outside and out of the kitchen!

    Reply
  14. madge @ vegetariancasserolequeen says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 11:51 am

    I bought a ton of boxes of Wheat Thins Stix. I bet those would pair well with this spread.

    And I totally agree…I’m not a hot weather person, either. I catch myself missing the snow alot these days!!!

    Reply
  15. KalynsKitchen says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    This sounds so tasty and easy. In the summer something like this with crackers would be lunch for me!

    Reply
  16. Kelsey says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    YUM! This looks perfect for the little gathering I’m having at my house tomorrow night! Thanks so much for sharing! Sending some Canadian love…!

    Reply
  17. Shannon says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    I love this! We love cheese spreads and appetizers in our house. I can’t wait to try this for our fourth of July get together. Thanks!!

    Reply
  18. Belinda @zomppa says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    When? You mean right now it’s already edging to 100! I need this spread!! Love it.

    Reply
    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says

      Jun 10, 2011 at 1:46 pm

      Not yet. But I know those temperatures will be here before we know it!

      Reply
  19. Jessica says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Mmm I love the idea of combining sun dried tomato & basil to make a spread. Sounds delicious!

    Reply
  20. torviewtoronto says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    deliciously done spread looks wonderful

    Reply
  21. Nan says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    Wow love this dip! Had to try it and now they are begging for more. I think that’s the true sign of a hit!

    Reply
  22. Carolyn says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    This is my kind of spread. Our basil is just tiny shoots right now, but come mid-July, we will be overrun with it and this is a great recipe for it.

    Reply
  23. Lindsey@Lindselicious says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    Oooh love the basil in there- that sounds so good. I have a massive weakness for cream cheese spreads/dips.

    Reply
  24. Drick says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    yup, nuttin’ better that a cool vent and a glass of ice tea… of course, this spread would of too…

    Reply
  25. Jen at The Three Little Piglets says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    I am SO glad that I have fresh basil in my garden and sun-dried tomatoes in the fridge. This will be perfect on my bagel tomorrow morning. Thank you for a lovely way to start my Saturday!

    Reply
  26. Kathleen says

    Jun 10, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    This sounds totally delicious! A really great summer appetizer. Thanks so much for sharing. I just recently started following you on SU. Nice to meet you. Have a lovely weekend πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  27. Pretend Chef says

    Jun 11, 2011 at 5:36 am

    You had me at sun-dried tomatoes. This spread sounds so delicious. Yummy!

    Reply
  28. Vicki @ WITK says

    Jun 11, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    This is so simple and perfect! Turning on the oven these days is so hard, I could totally eat this with some bread for dinner πŸ™‚

    Reply
  29. Katrina says

    Jun 11, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    This sounds perfect! Love trying new spreads πŸ™‚

    Reply
  30. marla says

    Jun 11, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Dara, this spread looks wonderful. The simplicity of cream cheese, sun dried tomatoes and fresh herbs is always a hit. I can’t believe we are soon moving on to round 2 of Get Grillin’!

    Reply
  31. Celeste Jenkins says

    Jun 11, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    Drooling right now. This just look amazing! I love anything with sun dried tomatoes and cheese πŸ™‚

    Reply
  32. Jannett says

    Jun 12, 2011 at 8:49 am

    great sounding recipe..for the summer ahead of us.. ;o)

    Reply
  33. Kristi Rimkus says

    Jun 12, 2011 at 11:22 am

    I love it when I have everything I need to make a new recipe, and with fresh basil abundant right now, I can’t wait to try this. I wish we could share some of your sun here in Seattle!

    Reply
  34. sharon says

    Jun 12, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    wow, can’t wait to try this!! i had laughing cow cheese and wheat crackers just last night. i think this would be good stuffed into celery sticks!! a family reunion or picnic, get tired of always taking deviled eggs!! but i know they will still hollar for the deviled eggs! lol!!

    Reply
  35. Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker says

    Jun 12, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    This sounds delicious! And a perfect use for my thriving basil plant!

    Reply
  36. Lori @ RecipeGirl says

    Jun 13, 2011 at 8:45 am

    I love how simple and perfect this appetizer recipe is!

    Reply
  37. Tracy says

    Jun 13, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    What a perfect spread for summer! I can’t wait to get some fresh basil from our CSA and try this!

    Reply
  38. Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble says

    Jun 16, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    Why Is cream cheese so freaking good – and not in that healthy I should eat you everyday every meal kinda way?!!

    Reply
  39. Amanda N - Wine and a Spoon says

    Jun 20, 2011 at 11:29 am

    Yum… and easy! I’m with you, nothing like a good cream cheese spread when it’s a little hot out. No cooking required.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe:  

WELCOME TO COOKIN CANUCK

I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes, as well as healthy lifestyle tips. My cooking motto is that healthy eating never needs to be boring!
Read More…
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter

Ready to create a healthy lifestyle with easy, homemade recipes?

Subscribe by email to get recipes delivered to your inbox!

COPYRIGHT © 2019 β€’ Cookin Canuck