This creamy cream cheese gravy takes your country beef gravy recipe to a whole new level in this skinny sauce. When I say I have invented the BEST gravy sauce, I MEAN IT! This lightened up cream cheese gravy is so creamy and delicious, it is perfect on anything, and SO easy to make. But, what should you pair with this? You can try some meatballs and noodles, like a Swedish Meatballs. Alternatively, try some air fried chicken for a Country fried chicken with creamy gravy dish. The true winner could be mashed potatoes though! The choices are endless.
I experimented a ton to get the perfect creamy cream cheese gravy. It needed to be thick, but not too thick. Seasoned, but not overly seasoned to take away from the main dish. Lastly, quick and easy, that was a big deal. A quick gravy is important as it is usually an accessory to a meal. Who has time to make a long, complicated gravy recipe when you have a whole entire meal as well? Not me. This recipe takes about 5 minutes or so and can be made in between two steps of another recipe.
Take a look at this cream cheese gravy over my meatballs recipe.
If you are looking for more of your typical gravy, that is not this creamy country gravy, try my light gravy recipe.
Quick Tips From Allie Carte
- This can be a creamy beef, chicken or vegetarian gravy
- Use this over all your favorite dishes
- Use this as a skinny sauce for dipping
What You Need to Make This Cream Cheese Gravy
No special cooking gadgets are necessary, just grab a pan and turn on your stove! The ingredients list is minimal and you should basically have everything in stock.
- Light margarine
- Broth
- Flour
- Cream cheese
- Seasonings
Light Margarine
If you know me, you know I love my light margarine. This is more of a healthy or skinny cream cheese gravy sauce recipe, therefore, light margarine it is. However, you do not have to use light margarine. You are more than welcome to use a regular margarine or butter. Whatever you like or have on hand will be okay.
Broth
Typically, I have chicken broth on hand. It just has a very nice neutral, yet slightly meaty, taste to it. I usually make this dish with chicken broth; however, you can use another type of broth. Beef broth would make a delicious creamy beef gravy. Alternatively, use a vegetable broth if you are vegetarian. Additionally, you can do a water and broth concentrate mixture. Any one of these options will work well. Just be mindful that I use low sodium broth and if you are using regular broth, you will have to adjust the salt content.
Cream Cheese
Like I said, this is a lightened up cream cheese gravy. Therefore, ⅓ less fat cream cheese it is! You can use regular cream cheese, if that is what you have and like. It will turn out the same. If I remember, which I usually do not, I like to leave my cream cheese on the counter for a little, to soften, as it is easier to melt into the gravy.
How to Make Cream Cheese Gravy
I experimented a ton to get the perfect creamy cream cheese gravy. It needed to be thick, but not too thick. Seasoned, but not overly seasoned to take away from the main dish. Lastly, quick and easy, that was a big deal. A quick gravy is important as it is usually an accessory to a meal. Who has time to make a long, complicated gravy recipe when you have a whole entire meal as well? Not me. This recipe takes about 5 minutes or so and can be made in between two steps of another recipe.
If I remember, which I usually do not, I like to leave my cream cheese on the counter for a little, to soften, as it is easier to melt into the gravy. However, you really do not have to do this, it will just take slightly longer to melt.
Start by heating a medium sized pan over medium heat. I like using a pan that has slightly higher sides as to not overflow it and make a mess.
Once heated, add the light margarine and swirl around the pan until melted. Pour in the broth and stir everything together. Slowly sprinkle in the flour while whisking vigorously to get any clumps out. Sprinkle on the seasonings and mix to combine.
Bring the mixture to a slight simmer, then add in the cream cheese. Whisk together as the cream cheese melts then bring the mixture to a slight simmer. Simmer for about 2 minutes, until your desired thickness is reached. Be cautious as it will thicken more when removed from heat and cooled down.
What to Pair with This Gravy
I make this gravy all the time, it is absolutely, insanely delicious and I crave it almost everyday.
Recently, I have served it over meatballs and noodles, like a Swedish Meatballs. It is like a skinny pasta sauce!
Another idea that I love to do is an air fried chicken cutlet, but the breading is half biscuit mix and half flour. It turns out like a Country fried chicken recipe.
Use the same method, but with cube steak for a country fried steak and creamy gravy recipe. This is great with the creamy gravy and beef broth.
Otherwise, serve this over some mashed potatoes, make copycat KFC bowls or anything you wish! Dip it into fries as well, it is like a skinny cream sauce. It is truly great on so many dishes.
Leftovers
Leftovers should be okay in the fridge, in an air tight container for a couple of days. When reheating, I typically just put everything in the microwave. With the leftover cream cheese, you have to make my hamburger Mac and cheese, there is zero negotiation here.
Make sure you save this recipe for your next Christmas or Thanksgiving celebration! It will surely impress your family.
Video Tutorial
If you are more of a visual learner, watch me make this gravy then come back here for a more detailed summary of ingredients and the full recipe.
Cream Cheese Gravy
When I say I have invented the BEST gravy sauce, I MEAN IT! This lightened up cream cheese gravy is so creamy and delicious, it is perfect on anything, and SO easy to make.
Cream Cheese Gravy
Equipment
- Stovetop
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon light margarine
- 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 2 ounces ⅓ less fat cream cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1/16 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Start by heating a medium sized pan over medium heat. Once heated, add the light margarine and swirl around the pan until melted.
- Pour in the broth and stir everything together. Slowly sprinkle in the flour while whisking vigorously to get any clumps out. Sprinkle on the seasonings and mix to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a slight simmer, then add in the cream cheese. Whisk together as the cream cheese melts then bring the mixture to a slight simmer. Simmer for about 2 minutes, until your desired thickness is reached.
Nutrition
Are you on WW (Weight Watchers) and need to know how many points this cream cheese gravy is? Click this link and it will automatically calculate the points for you. The serving size is about 5 tablespoons, which is a lot of sauce!
[…] Chicken fried steak in the air fryer is your classic country special, lightened up just a little in the air fryer. It is just as crispy and delicious. Plus, make sure you pair it with my special cream cheese gravy. […]