Great Philadelphia Cream Cheese Recipes

Archives for February, 2008

Deep Dish Chicken Pot Pie

Deep_Dish_Chicken_Pot_Pie.jpg

This recipe is super easy to make. Try adding different vegetables for more variety. If a deep dish 10-inch pie plate is not available, pour chicken mixture into round 2-qt. casserole. Arrange pie crust over mixture; flute edges. Cut four slits in crust to allow steam to escape. This comfort food classic has 210 fewer calories, 15g less fat and 5g less saturated fat compared to a double crust pot pie made with cream cheese and regular dressing.

1
lb.

boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4
cup

KRAFT Light Zesty Italian Reduced Fat Dressing
4
oz.
(1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.)
PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese, cubed
2
Tbsp.

flour
1/2
cup

fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
1
pkg.
(10 oz.)
frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1

refrigerated
pie crust (1/2 of 15-oz. pkg.)

PREHEAT oven
to 375°F. Cook chicken in dressing in large skillet on medium heat 2
min. Add Neufchatel cheese; cook and stir until melted. Add flour; mix
well. Add broth and vegetables; simmer 5 min.
POUR mixture
into deep dish 10-inch pie plate. Arrange pie crust over filling; flute
edges. Cut four slits in crust to allow steam to escape.
BAKE 30 min. or until crust is golden brown.

Creamy Bow Tie Primavera

Creamy_Bow_Tie_Primavera.jpg

This low-fat pasta dish is loaded with vitamin A from the carrots and is a good source of vitamin C and calcium, too! The recipe makes extra sauce, so try pouring it over the top instead of mixing it all together. Also, it’s not your typical creamy sweet alfredo sauce, so you may want to add a little sugar and garlic.


8 oz.
bow tie pasta, uncooked

1 cup 
broccoli florets
1 cup
sliced carrots
1 pkg. 
(8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Fat Free Cream Cheese, cubed
3/4 cup
fat-free milk
1/4 cup 
KRAFT Reduced Fat Parmesan Style Grated Topping
1/4 cup
chopped green onions
1/2 tsp. 
Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp.
garlic powder

PREPARE pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli and carrots to water during last 5 minutes of cooking time. Drain.
MIX cream
cheese, milk, grated topping, onions and seasonings in large saucepan;
cook on low heat until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well
blended, stirring frequently.
ADD pasta and vegetables; toss lightly.

Think you have the very best Philadelphia
cream cheese recipe? Well, you might have some serious competition! The folks
in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
have been hosting The Midwest
Cream Cheese Competition
for the past three years to celebrate the state’s
dairy pride! Beaver Dam is the heart of Philadelphia Cream Cheese since it is
home to a huge manufacturing plant. On March 8th, the fourth annual
competition will commence. Last year, there were 24 contestants with 46 entries
competing in three categories: “Best New Cream Cheese Recipe,” “Greatest
Cream Cheese Dip Recipe” and “Ultimate Cheesecake.” Entries were
judged on both taste and appearance by a panel of cream cheese experts and
local officials. “Some Like It Hot Cream Cheese Soup” won best new recipe and
“Hot Fudge White Chocolate Cheesecake” won in the ultimate cheesecake category.
Many contestants said they start with a recipe from a magazine and tweak it to
make it their own. The event is sponsored by The Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce
and Kraft. For $5 you can enter up to 3 recipes, with each recipe beyond 3
being an additional $5. This year, 1st place winners receive $250, 2nd
place $150, and third place $75. What’s your most magnificent cream cheese
recipe?

PHILLY Shrimp Cocktail Dip

PHILLY_Shrimp_Cocktail_Dip.jpg

This is a very tasty, easy party dip. Try adding horseradish to kick up the flavor of the cocktail sauce.  The spiciness is perfect with mellowness of the cream cheese. It’s sure to be a hit at a birthday party or your next gathering of friends. 


1
pkg.
(8 oz.)
PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
3/4
lb.
cooked
shrimp, chopped (2 cups)
3/4
cup

KRAFT Cocktail Sauce
1/4
cup

KRAFT Shredded Parmesan Cheese
2


green onions, sliced

SPREAD cream cheese onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate. Toss shrimp with cocktail sauce; spoon over cream cheese.
SPRINKLE with Parmesan cheese and onions.
SERVE with WHEAT THINS Snack Crackers.

“BLT” Pasta

BLT_Pasta.jpg

This is an amazingly delicious pasta recipe! For a low fat option, prepare as directed using Philly Neufchatel Cream Cheese.

3
cups
(8 oz.)
penne pasta, uncooked
4
oz.
(1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.)
PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cut up
1
cup

milk
1/4
cup

KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese
4
slices

OSCAR MAYER Bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled
2
cups
baby
spinach leaves
1
cup
grape or
cherry tomatoes
1
tsp.

Italian seasoning

COOK pasta in large saucepan as directed on package.
MEANWHILE, cook
cream cheese, milk and Parmesan cheese in large skillet on medium-high
heat 3 min. or until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well
blended, stirring frequently. Add remaining ingredients; cook and stir
5 min. or until heated through.
DRAIN pasta; return to pan. Add sauce; toss to coat.

Cheesy Spinach and Bacon Dip

Cheesy_Spinach_and_Bacon_Dip.jpg

This recipe is definitely a keeper! When serving this dip at
a party, pour the prepared dip into a small slow cooker set on Low.
This will keep the dip warm and at the ideal consistency for several
hours. For best results, stir the dip occasionally to prevent hot spots.
Friends are going to ask you for this super easy to make dip and you’ll definitely want to make it over again!

1
pkg.
(10 oz.)
frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained
1
lb.
(16 oz.)
VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
4
oz.
(1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.)
PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cut up
1
can
(10 oz.)
RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained
8
slices

OSCAR MAYER Bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled

COMBINE ingredients in microwaveable bowl.
MICROWAVE on HIGH 5 min. or until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 min.

20-Minute Skillet Salmon

Skillet_Salmon.jpg

When salmon is done, it will appear opaque and flake easily with fork. Try substituting 2 tsp. of dill weed for the 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill. If you prefer a more robust sauce, use regular Philly cream cheese in place of the light.

1
Tbsp.

oil
4


salmon fillets (1 lb.)
1
cup

fat-free milk
1/2
cup
(1/2 of 8-oz. tub)
PHILADELPHIA Light Cream Cheese Spread
1/2
cup
chopped
cucumbers
2
Tbsp.
chopped
fresh dill

HEAT oil
in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add salmon; cook 5 min. on each
side or until salmon flakes easily with fork. Remove from skillet;
cover to keep warm.
ADD milk
and cream cheese spread to skillet; cook and stir until cream cheese
spread is melted and mixture is well blended. Stir in cucumbers and
dill.
RETURN salmon to skillet. Cook 2 min. or until heated through. Serve salmon topped with the cream cheese sauce.

Pumpkin Loaf - Lower Fat Version!

Layered_Pumpkin_Loaf.jpgI’ve recently developed a new LOVE for baking with cream cheese. I’ve been using the New 1/3 Less Fat Philly and replacing the butter or oil in the recipes with plain yogurt to make them lighter. If the recipe calls for 1/2 cup oil, use 3/4 cup plain non-fat yogurt. Try this Pumpkin Loaf replacing the canola oil with 1/2 cup plain yogurt or 1/3 cup apple sauce! 

Easter Bunny Fruit Ring

1 cup boiling water

1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Brand Lime Flavor Gelatin
1
 cup cold water

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

2 cans (8 oz. each) crushed pineapple, drained

1-1/2 cups JET-PUFFED BUNNY MALLOWS Marshmallows

1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts


STIR
boiling water into dry gelatin in medium bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water and juice. Gradually add gelatin to cream cheese in large bowl, mixing until well blended. Refrigerate until thickened (spoon drawn through leaves definite impression).

ADD pineapple, marshmallows and walnuts; mix well. Spoon into 6-cup ring mold sprayed with cooking spray.

REFRIGERATE several hours or until firm. Unmold onto serving plate. Store leftover gelatin in refrigerator.

Baked Crab Rangoon

Baked_Crab_Rangoon.jpg

Since these tasty appetizers are baked, they require less
hands on time so that you can spend more time with your guests. This
baked version saves 80 calories and 6.5 g of fat per serving compared
to traditional fried Crab Rangoon.
To make
Mini Crab Rangoons use
24 won ton wrappers. Gently place 1 won ton wrapper in each of 24
miniature muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray. Fill evenly with
crabmeat mixture and bake as directed.

1
can
(6 oz.) white
crabmeat, drained, flaked
4
oz.
(1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.)
PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese, softened
1/4
cup
thinly sliced
green onions
1/4
cup

KRAFT Mayo Light Mayonnaise
12


won ton wrappers

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Mix crabmeat, Neufchatel cheese, onions and mayo.
SPRAY 12
medium muffin cups with cooking spray. Gently place 1 won ton wrapper
in each cup, allowing edges of wrappers to extend above sides of cups.
Fill evenly with crabmeat mixture.
BAKE 18
to 20 min. or until edges are golden brown and filling is heated
through. Serve warm. Garnish with chopped green onions, if desired.