This easy cream cheese spread comes together in less than 10 minutes and is flavored with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil.
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.
Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, basil and salt. Serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.
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
Printable Recipe
Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Cream Cheese Spread Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces â…“-less-fat Neufchatel cream cheese, softened
- 6 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- 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.
Maris (In Good Taste)
This is a wonderful summer spread! Have a very nice weekend!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Maris. I hope you have a great weekend, too.
Heidi @ Food Doodles
Mmm, that looks so good. I love flavored cream cheeses and I love all the flavors in this 😀
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Heidi. There's something so good about flavored cream cheeses. They are a great way to make sandwiches more interesting.
Sanjeeta kk
Love this easy-peasy cheesy spread! Need to make this weekend.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I hope you enjoy it, Sanjeeta.
Asiya @ Chocolate & Chillies
Looks yummy and very easy to make! I don't think I would be able to stop eating this 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Asiya, I have the same problem. I can't stop eating it.
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies)
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? 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Jean, you hit the nail on the head. Everything ambitious needs to be done by noon.
Explora Cuisine
Soo good, I love sun dried tomatoes! this spread is perfect at breakfast, mmm, can't wait! Have a great weekend!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I actually had some spread on toast this morning and it was really good.
Jenny Flake
Now this is my kind of cream cheese spread! Yum!! Have a great weekend!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Jenny. You too!
claudia lamascolo/aka pegasuslegend
looks great and has all the flavors I love!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Yes, I thought this might appeal to your Italian taste buds, Claudia.
Heather at Heathers Dish
Dips and spreads are such a weakness of mine! This sounds amazing!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Me too, Heather. I could snack on them all day.
Maria
Great summer spread! We planted a lot of basil and I can't wait to use it!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
We have a few plants as well and there were just enough leaves for this recipe.