When you run a restaurant, you want to use the same ingredients for as many dishes as possible, to make it easy to stock up on a few items and then keep it on the menu. Cream cheese is the perfect example of how you can take one ingredient and turn it into dozens of dishes that your patrons will enjoy.
Let’s look at some of the many dishes you can make with cream cheese, both sweet and savoury.
1. Cheesecake
Most likely, when you think of using cream cheese, cheesecake is what comes to mind. This rich pie-like dessert is a good way to make use of cream cheese, since it comes in a wide range of flavours. Don’t stop with plain cheesecake topped with the latest fruits or berries that are in season. Instead, get creative with your ideas and try adding unique flavours like your favourite chocolates into the mixture before baking to create a restaurant specific dish that people will be excited to come to your establishment for.
2. Cream Cheese Icing
Any type of cake is better with cream cheese icing, so if you already serve cakes or cupcakes, consider whipping up some cream cheese icing to make it that much better. This delicate, yet incredibly delicious icing is made with milk, cream cheese, and icing sugar, as well as some butter. Offer it as an option for some of your popular cakes or whip up a red velvet cake to try it on.
3. Stuffed Pasta Shells
Any restaurant that offers pasta should consider incorporating cream cheese into their dishes. It can be mixed with eggs and any other types of ingredients, such as spinach, bacon, or whatever you wish, then spooned into giant pasta shells and baked with tomato sauce. The end result is a wonderfully creamy dish with plenty of flavour and texture.
If you want to mix it up a little, you can use herbs and cream cheese inside of ravioli, too. Incorporate unique flavours and you’ll have a house special in no time.
4. Swirl Quick Bread
If your restaurant sells baked goods then you may wish to consider adding a swirl of cream cheese to the centre of your quick breads. However, it goes just as well in lemon bread, or just about any type of sweet breads that you might make. If you want it to set nicely, mix in an egg before stirring it into the batter for the quick bread.
5. Turnovers
Flaky pastry folded over a cream cheese and bacon or spinach filling and then baked can give you the perfect little appetiser for your guests. They’ll love biting through the flaky filo pastry to get to the creamy, tasty centre. You can try mixing and matching flavours to get the perfect combination for your patrons. You may even wish to offer a few different choices so they can choose their perfect appetizer.
6. Soups
A dollop of cream cheese in a creamy soup will melt right in and add a richness to the flavour that can’t be done with milk. However, this cheese isn’t just for creamy soups. Feel free to drop a spoonful after you’ve plated any type of soup. It makes a lovely garnish when sprinkled with chopped chives or dried herbs.
7. Mashed Potatoes
Want to give your customers something to talk about? Add a spoonful of cream cheese to your mashed potatoes and you’ll be amazed at how great they taste. This is a simple way to get people interested in your side dishes just as much as your mains. When they rave over something as simple as mashed potatoes, you know that they’ll bring even more customers in.
8. Flavoured Spreads
Who doesn’t love a bagel with cream cheese? It’s delicious on its own but you may also want to try offering other flavours too. Some things that mix well into cream cheese for a spread include:
- Honey
- Cinnamon
- Chocolate chips
- Basil or pesto sauce
- Sun Dried tomatoes
- Chives
- Raisins
Again, get creative and come up with a flavour that everyone will want to order.
9. Stuffed Peppers
Jalapeños are popular chillies to stuff and you can really use anything. Try slicing them in half and mixing cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon into the open halves before baking. You can try a range of flavour combinations, but this is one that just about everyone will enjoy greatly. Jalapeños make wonderful appetizers and many people will choose these to share at the beginning of a meal.
10. Burritos
Depending on the type of cuisine your restaurant serves, you may wish to add burritos to the list. They are quite tasty when spread with a bit of cream cheese accompanied by refried beans and any other fillings you may wish to use. Finally, heat them through before serving and impressing your customers.
Burritos don’t need to be “Mexican” in style either. You can make them more elegant with the use of high-end ingredients or simply by getting creative in how you serve them.
11. Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs are another dish that is instantly elevated by the addition of some cream cheese. Add in any vegetables you like, but the moment the scrambled eggs have a little cream cheese in them, they’ll be one of the most requested breakfast items on your menu in no time.
The cream cheese gives the eggs a richness that just can’t be duplicated with milk. It’s well worth trying and seeing how your customers enjoy their eggs this way.
12. Sauces
Try making your own sauces with a little cream cheese in them. These are a good way to add richness to everything from pancakes to chicken dishes in your restaurant. The sauces may be as simple as melting the cream cheese and adding flavours, since it is quite easy to make an easy sauce this way. You may also add it to an existing sauce to increase the richness and flavour.
13. Stuffed Crepes
Crepes are tasty as is, but if you take the time to spread some cream cheese in them and top with berries, you have an extra treat. Of course, the cream cheese goes well with any type of fruit, but it’s also amazing with a little chocolate spread. Try offering these for dessert and see how well people take to them.
Of course, you may also offer savoury options by mixing spinach and cream cheese, etc. for a whole new experience with crepes.
14. Fruit Salad
Is there anything more refreshing than a delightful fruit salad? Try a salad with whipped cream cheese added. This may be sweetened or not, but it takes an ordinary fruit dish from plain to elegant and makes it something everyone will want to order from you. Add a drizzle of honey to create the perfect dish for a warm day.
15. Creamed Vegetables
Instead of adding cream to your creamed spinach or corn, try adding some cream cheese. It gives far more flavour and allows you to create the best creamed dishes you’ve ever tasted. Your customers will love these as side dishes for whatever meal they order. Add in a few herbs to kick up the taste factor and then sit back and watch everyone love it.
These dishes are all designed to use cream cheese, which is often overlooked as an ingredient. However, by adding a little of this deliciously soft cheese, you can be sure that more customers will seek out your amazing food.
Wondering where to find the absolute best cream cheese for your restaurant? You need a reliable wholesale provider like Freshways. We offer a variety of dairy products, including cream cheese, for your restaurant. Contact us today for more information.