Cheese Spread Recipe
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Sep 14, 2025 
Transform your leftover cheeses into a delectable homemade dip using this Cheese Spread Recipe that boasts a rich medley of flavors! Using your favorite cheese with a touch of white wine, butter, and herbs, you can create a delicious cheese spread in no time!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
My family moved to Asheville, North Carolina a long time ago, and this quirky little mountain town is home to an intriguing mix of cultures, economic positions, and interests. I found that people here are extremely passionate about conservation, and this Cheese Spread is a great way to use up leftover cheese!
Why You’ll Love This Cheese Spread Recipe
- Versatile – You can use this spread as a filling, dip or spread with everything from crackers to sandwiches.
- Nothing goes to waste – This recipe is a great way to use up any of your leftover cheese.
- Delicious and creamy – This creamy, herbaceous homemade cheese spread is a wonderful mix of flavors and smooth textures.
This garlic and herb cheese spread uses simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand!
Ingredients and Tips
- Cheese – Use any of your favorite leftover cheese and make sure that it’s at room temperature.
- White wine – Use a dry white wine.
- Butter – You’ll need softened and unsalted butter.
- Herbs – Use fresh parsley, basil, thyme, or rosemary.
- Garlic – Make sure to use fresh minced garlic.
Recipe Variations and Dietary Swaps
- Bacon – Stir in some crumbled bacon bits for a smoky twist.
- Spicy – Mix in a dash of red pepper flakes for some extra heat.
- Nuts – Add a spoonful of chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts) for some crunch.
- Honey – Drizzle a little bit of honey into the cheese spread to add a hint of sweetness.
How To Make Cheese Spread
Tips for Success – Don’t skip the fresh herbs! The fresh herbs in this recipe give this cheese spread life. The herbs really lift the flavors and add a depth of flavor you otherwise wouldn’t get!
Find the full Cheese Spread recipe with detailed instructions and storage tips in the printable form at the bottom of the post!
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Serve as-is or refrigerate for at least one hour for a firmer consistency. This can be stored in the fridge for up to one week.
Serving Suggestions
This easy Homemade Cheese Spread recipe is great for afternoon snacks and parties. Serve this best cheese appetizer alongside your favorite crackers or veggie plate.
For a keto cracker option, try my almond flour crackers recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can make this dip a few hours ahead of time. Make sure to remove from the refrigerator about 20 minutes ahead of serving.
Just add a little extra wine to the food processor to thin it out.
Homemade Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound leftover cheese, any variety, at room temperature
- 1/8 cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, basil, thyme, or rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
Instructions
- Remove any rinds from hard cheeses. Cut cheeses into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Place cheese, wine, butter, herbs, and garlic in a food processor and blend until smooth, 2 minutes.
- Serve as-is or refrigerate for at least one hour for a firmer consistency. This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition
I tried making homemade mozzarella but it didn’t quite turn out right. I thought it was going to be wasted, but I used it to make this cheese spread and it is amazing! I used about 1.5 cups of the homemade fresh cheese, 1/2 cup of leftover store-bought mozzarella, and fresh basil for the herbs. The garlic and white wine make it heavenly. Thank you for this recipe!
Has anyone who commented made this cheese spread?
Why is it only good for one week?
Can it be frozen?
Sounds tasty…. can we make this without using wine??
Hi Neha,
Yes, you can skip the wine, but you will need some liquid. Try adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon water. :)
Yum!
This sounds good and I’ll do it. I love cheese spread! But I have a question: what is leftover cheese? Never ran across it before :)
Hi Rick,
LOL! I hear ya! We don’t have a whole lot of leftover cheese around here either. But when we do….
Love this! I wanted to make cheese dip this holiday season. Pinning this for the first party!
So, got any alternative uses for the spread besides crackers? I am trying to minimize my carbohydrate consumption. And I LOVE me some crackers – lol. II was thinking as a filling in chicken (pound the chicken flat, spread the cheese, roll back up, and cook), but beyond that, I am coming up blank.
you could use BUCKWHEATcrackers . Buckwheat is very low in carbo .
Try it like an old-fashioned relish tray. Cheese spread is great on celery sticks, carrots, green pepper strips. an I say no carbs!
It must taste amazing!
Looks delicious but I’m Not really a wine drinker so what would you suggest a dry wine to use for this recipe?
Hi Colleen, You could use chicken broth… Or chicken broth with a splash of champagne vinegar would be even better!
Thank You
Wow Sommer,
I love your cooking blog!
I have been looking for a way to use left over bean soup. We love pinto beans cooked this way. Do you think this would work for them?
Thanks for sharing your expertiese with us!
Jana
Sommer, if you keep putting recipes like this on the blog, you may get mom and me to move to Asheville yet. Pops
Awesome Sommer,
Love the BLOG and all your amazing tricks of the trade…Watch out Julia & Julie…here comes Sommer!!!
Looking forward to all that's ahead for us to learn – you are the best!
-S