Ingredients
Here’s a breakdown of what goes into this rich, savory spread and why each ingredient earns its place.
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened — Forms the rich, creamy base of the spread.
- ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped — The star ingredient, providing a sweet-tart, concentrated tomato flavor throughout the spread.
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped — Adds fragrant, classic Italian herb flavor that pairs beautifully with the tomatoes.
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese — Adds a salty, nutty, umami-rich depth to the spread.
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced — Infuses the spread with bold, aromatic garlic flavor.
- 1 tbsp olive oil — Adds richness and a distinctly Italian flavor to the spread.
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice — Adds bright acidity that balances the richness of the cream cheese and oil.
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning — A classic herb blend that reinforces the Italian-inspired flavor profile.
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper — Adds a subtle, warm bite.
- ¼ tsp salt, or to taste — Enhances all the other flavors in the spread.
- 1–2 tbsp milk or heavy cream, optional, for a softer consistency — Helps loosen the spread to your desired texture if needed.
Instructions
This recipe comes together in just a few simple steps. Here’s exactly how to make it.
Allow the cream cheese to sit at room temperature for approximately 20–30 minutes. This makes it much easier to whip into a smooth, creamy spread.
Drain the sun-dried tomatoes well and finely chop them. Finely chop the fresh basil and mince the garlic.
Add the softened cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, Parmesan, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt to a mixing bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until creamy and well combined. For a softer, more spreadable consistency, add milk or heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. For even better flavor, let it chill for 1–2 hours so the garlic, basil, and sun-dried tomato flavors can blend together.
Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with a drizzle of olive oil, chopped basil, finely diced sun-dried tomatoes, and a little Parmesan. Serve chilled or allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before spreading.