4.80 from 10 votes

Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese (Budget Philadelphia)

Jump to Recipe
This is my budget version of the famous garlic and herb philadelphia cream cheese. Less money and calories with just as much flavour.
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
£0.62
Makes: 4
Breakfast, Snack
American

Table of Contents

  1. Why this recipe works
  2. Ingredients
  3. How to make this budget garlic and herb spread
  4. What else can I make with this recipe?
  5. FAQ
4.80 from 10 votes

Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese (Budget Philadelphia)

Jump to Recipe
This is my budget version of the famous garlic and herb philadelphia cream cheese. Less money and calories with just as much flavour.
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
£0.62
Makes: 4
Breakfast, Snack
American

Why this recipe works

This recipe is great for many reasons. 

  1. It involves roasted garlic.
  2. It saves you money. 
  3. It’s lower in calories whilst being just as tasty.

This garlic and herb cream cheese recipe is kicking off my new series, ‘Beat the Brand’.

We all looove philadelphia cream cheese, so I thought I’d have a go at beating the cost of the famous garlic and herb philly using own brand cream cheese and fresh ingredients.

I managed to beat the price with my recipe totalling £2.31 with 400g + of garlic and herb cream cheese, whilst the store bought Philadelphia was £3.00 for 340g.

Garlic and herb cream cheese in a glass bowl on a blue cloth with chilli flakes in background and plate with cucumber on cream cheese toast.

Ingredients

Low fat cream cheese

We’re going to add the flavour with our own ingredients here so you just want a plain, low-fat cream cheese. Any own-brand supermarket packet will do! 

Fresh chives

Finely chopped fresh chives add so much flavour immediately to the cream cheese. They taste fresher and look brighter, when added yourself and this takes this garlic and herb cream cheese to the next level.

Garlic 

By roasting the garlic it makes the flavour richer and sweeter. It also makes the garlic less strong which allows us to use from ½  -1 full bulb in this recipe, depending on how much you love garlic. 

Dried Parsley

An accessible ingredient that most people have in their cupboard. We get the fresh chopped herb texture and flavour from the chives, so we just want the flavour of parsley here, which is why dried parsley works really well.

Ingredients to make Budget Philadelphia cheese laid out on a greyish background and labelled.

How to make this budget garlic and herb spread

PREHEAT OVEN TO 170°C

Slice the garlic bulb across it’s width in half. Place both halves onto some foil and drizzle a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil over the raw garlic (not the skin). Season with salt and fold the foil so it’s completely wrapped. Pop in the oven for 45 minutes.

Garlic bulb cut in half and part covered in foil in dish.

Check on the garlic after around 40 minutes ensure not burning and when ready, using a knife or your hands (careful it’s hot), squeeze the bulb to push the roasted garlic out of the skin. Add salt to the garlic and squish against a chopping board until you achieve a roasted garlic paste.

Garlic pressed into a paste with a large knife on a chopping board.

Then add the roasted garlic, finely chopped chives, cream cheese and dried parsley to a mixing bowl.

Cream cheese, garlic, chives and parsley in glass bowl.

Mix together until combined and then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cheese spread, garlic, chives and parsley mixed together with a fork in a large glass bowl.

Pour the mix into a small container and refrigerate to firm up. Enjoy!

Budget Philadelphia garlic and herb cheese ready in glass container.

NOTE: This recipe calls for you to roast a whole bulb of garlic. Depending on how much you love garlic you can add ½ to 1 bulb of roasted garlic into the cream cheese. If you only add half, save the other half to spread on toast or add into sauces. Enjoy!

What else can I make with this recipe?

This recipe has many uses: 

  • Spread on toast 
  • Add into a sandwich 
  • Form a creamy pasta sauce with the cream cheese and  pasta water
  • Add into soups to add creaminess and flavour 
A pale green plate with 1 slice of toast layered with cream cheese and cucumber slices, a bowl of cream cheese and chilli flakes.

FAQ

How long can I store this in the fridge for?

I’d consume this in 3-4 weeks. 

Can I add anything else into the garlic and herb cream cheese?

Yes definitely! You can get creative with the ingredients you add into this, I’ve just kept mine super simple to keep the price under the Philadelphia version. You could add lemon juice, fresh parsley, basil, chilli flakes, etc!

A knife used to spread garlic and herb cream cheese onto piece of toast in a blue bowl.

Other cheesy recipes to try….

Slow Roasted Cherry Tomato Ricotta Toast

The Best Toast Ever: Halloumi and Avocado Sourdough Toast

Loaded Vegetable Quesadillas

Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese (Budget Philadelphia)

Print Pin It
4.80 from 10 votes
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
£0.62
Breakfast, Snack
American
Servings: 4
This is my budget version of the famous garlic and herb philadelphia cream cheese. Less money and calories with just as much flavour.

Ingredients

  • ½ large bulb of garlic (£0.39)
  • 400 g (2 packs) Light 50% Less Fat Original Soft Cheese (£0.79x2)=(£1.58)
  • 10-25 g fresh chives, finely chopped ( £0.50)

Cupboard Essentials

  • ½ tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt & Pepper

Method

Preheat oven to 170°C

  • Start by slicing the bulb of garlic across it’s width in half. Place both halves into foil and drizzle a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil over the raw garlic (not the skin). Season with salt and fold the foil so it’s completely wrapped. Pop in the oven for 45 minutes.
  • When the garlic is ready, using a knife or your hands (careful it’s hot), squeeze the bulb to push the roasted garlic out of the skin.
  • Add salt to the garlic and squish against a chopping board until you achieve a roasted garlic paste.
  • To a mixing bowl, add the roasted garlic, finely chopped chives, cream cheese and dried parsley. Mix until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Pour the mix into a small container and refrigerate to firm up. Enjoy!

Note : This recipe calls for you to roast a whole bulb of garlic. Depending on how much you love garlic you can add ½-1 bulb of roasted garlic into the cream cheese. If you only add half, save the other half to spread on toast or add into sauces.

    Nutrition

    Servings: 4 servings
    Fat: 37g
    Calories: 181kcal
    Carbohydrates: 20g
    Protein: 33g
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeatTheBudget or tag #beatthebudget!

    Leave a comment and a rating!

    Thank you so much for trying my recipe! I hope you loved it. I’d be so grateful if you could leave a comment/rating - it makes my day hearing your feedback!

    Recipe Rating




    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    • Weekly meal plans with a £20 budget
    • 50+ exclusive recipes
    • Personal dashboard
    • Exclusive step by step videos
    • Shopping list tools

    JOIN NOW LEARN MORE

    Never miss a recipe!

    Sign up to my weekly newsletter to get all of Beat the Budget's recent recipes, so you never miss out!

    Development Alchemy + Aim