Pesto Cream Cheese Spread
This easy Pesto Cream Cheese Spread is an amazing make ahead appetizer for a crowd. Layers of basil pesto, sun dried tomatoes, and cream cheese are perfect for spreading on a piece of crusty Italian bread!
Pesto Cream Cheese Spread
Remember when I showed you how to make basil pesto the other day? It wasn’t just because I love pesto it was because I wanted to share this amazing Pesto Cream Cheese Spread with you. This easy cheese spread only requires 4 simple ingredients to form it’s layers of cream cheese & goat cheese (if you aren’t a fan of goat cheese it can be all cream cheese), basil pesto, and sun dried tomatoes. I have served it at so many parties and everyone always loves it!
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You know I love a good make ahead appetizer recipe for parties and this Pesto Cream Cheese Spread is one of the best. I like making my own basil pesto since it’s pretty simple but to save even more time you can also buy it in a jar along with your sun dried tomato spread.
How to Make Pesto Cream Cheese Spread:
- Mix together softened cream cheese and goat cheese (if you don’t like goat cheese no worries, just use more cream cheese in place of it).
- Then find a dish you want to use as a mold. I used a small Pyrex dish but a bowl or a small pan will work too. Line your dish with plastic wrap. Tip: Lightly grease the inside of your dish before placing the plastic wrap. This will help it slide out later.
- Start with a layer of cheese in the bottom. I make my layer about a half an inch thick.
- Next spoon in a layer of pesto. You want the layer thick enough to completely cover the cheese and show up through the side of your dish.
- Then another layer of cheese.
- Spread the sun dried tomato spread over the cheese in a layer as thick as your basil pesto layer.
- Add a final layer of cheese. When you are done pull the edges of the plastic wrap over the top of the cheese and place it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
When you are ready to serve the Pesto Cream Cheese Spread that piece of plastic wrap you lined the dish with is going to help you pull it out of the mold. Just flip the mold upside down on the platter you are serving the spread on and lift the dish off. A few little tugs on the edges of the plastic wrap will help free the cheese from the mold.
Things are going to look a little messy at first but have no fear. Use the back of a butter knife to go around the outside of the cheese, skimming off any oil, pesto, or sun dried tomato, that may have gotten on the cheese. I like to place extra pine nuts on the top of mine to hide the imperfections (plus it is such a pretty presentation). It’s never going to look perfect (at least mine doesn’t) but it still looks delicious, right?
What you will need to make Pesto Cream Cheese Spread:
- Pyrex Bowl – This 2 cup Pyrex bowl is the one I always use.
- Olive Wood Cutting Board – Not required but it sure is pretty!
- Cheese Knife and Spreaders – This makes it so easy for guests to cut a thin slice and spread it on their bread or crackers.
Serve your Pesto Cream Cheese Spread on a nice cheese board with a cheese knife and spread so they can cut a slice and spread it over crackers, or better yet french baguette slices (fresh or toasted), and you’re got an appetizer that your guests are going to go nuts over.
Want more easy, cheesy appetizer recipes?
- Cheesy Corn Dip
- Whipped Ricotta and Tomato Dip
- Caramelized Onion and Bacon Skillet
- Baked Caprese Dip
- Dried Fruit and Pistachio Baked Brie
PESTO CREAM CHEESE SPREAD
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Pesto Cream Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- 4 oz Goat cheese
- 8 oz Cream cheese
- 6 oz Basil pesto
- 6 oz Sun dried tomato spread
- Pine Nuts for Garnish, optional
Instructions
- Mix cream cheese and goat cheese together.
- Use a small bowl or pan as a mold for your cheese spread. Spary a small amount of cooking spray on the inside of the container and then line it with plastic wrap.
- Layer the ingredients into the dish beginning with the cheese (the layer should be about 1/2" thick).
- Next add a layer of basil pesto.
- Place a second layer of cheese on top of the pesto being careful not to press down too hard.
- Top with a layer of sun dried tomato spread.
- Finish with a final layer of cheese.
- Wrap the mold in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve unwrap the mold and turn it upside down on the plate it will be served on. Pull down on the plastic wrap lining the mold to help pull the cheese free of the mold.
- Using a butter knife or spatula scrape the sides and top of the cheese spread to clean off any excess oil or pesto.
- Top with pine nuts (optional)
- Serve with crackers or bread.
Nutrition
This looks delicious! I saved the recipe for our Christmas day feast!
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do !
So simple but yet so beautiful. Perfect for this time of year!!
Thanks Kristen, I love how pretty it looks and it’s even red and green for Christmas! lol
Really easy and looks awesome, thanks!
Found you at friendship Friday.
You had me at pesto….so delicious!!
Thanks Kristi, love your Facebook covers. Changed mine to one of yours today 🙂
This looks AMAZING! It has my name written all over it! Visiting from Weekend Retreat Linky.
Thanks for stopping by I hope you like it as much as I do!
This looks delicious! What a great recipe. – J
Thank you!
My friend used to make this in a flower pot shape, I keep asking her to make it again but now I’ve got your recipe! Thanks for linking up! Yummy!!
Glad I could help out….so you can surprise her by making it for her 😉
I should!! I’m featuring you tomorrow at Friday Favorites!
My cooking skills are limited, but this recipe looks like one I could make!
LOL, don’t tell anyone how easy it was they will think you have serious skills 😉
This looks so delicious, what a great idea!!! And so perfect for the holidays! Love love love it!!! Thanks for the inspiration!!!! 🙂
That looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing something that isn’t sweet 😉
This looks beautiful and sounds delicious! It’ll make a great addition to our Christmas spread!
This looks so yummy! Adding to our list of holiday party food to make!
Urm, yes….looks sensational! The perfect dip to share….or keep to yourself…lol.
Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.
Love this idea…and all of these ingredients. Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog Hop!
how festive! and it looks scrumptious.
I have so got to try this sounds like it would be really good. 🙂 I have a recipe linky today and a social media boost too, but mine is for Pinterest today. Won’t you come and join us and bring one of your recipes??? have a great weekend.
It’s almost too pretty to eat! pinned and tweeted. Lou Lou Girls
I’m popping over from aka design’s Weekend Re-Treat. The cheese spread looks and sounds delicious! I no longer help decorate my mom’s Christmas tree since I moved out and got married, but your story reminds me of fond memories of doing it with her. She bought me a yearly ornament as well.
I’m so glad it brought back happy memories for you. Now that the grandkids are getting older they are starting to take over decorating Grandma’s tree and I love watching them go through my old ornaments and hang each one 🙂
I love your site. Thank you, I will try this recipe, it looks fantastic!
Any tips on spreading the second and third layers of cream cheese? I made this for Christmas and it was almost impossible to spread the stiffer cream cheese over the softer pesto and tomatoes. Ended up very sloppy and uneven but delicious
Only thing I can suggest is to let the cream cheese get to room temp so it is easier to spread. Glad it was delicious!
I do have a tip. I usually smooth the cream cheese out into a round shape then place it on the sun dried tomatoes or pesto. Then I add a little more cream cheese in chunks and use a knife to smooth everything out. It is always a little messy no matter what you do but it is delish!
I have made this for years! It is one of my most asked for appetizers of all time. I use a Christmas tree mold in Dec.
I’m going to have to try a Christmas tree mold! That’s a cute idea 🙂