Savory Pumpkin Basil Cheesecake FTW! This easy make-ahead appetizer is perfect for parties and potlucks! Not only does it look impressive, but it’s addictively delicious!
This fluffy and savory spread only takes 10-15 minutes of actual prep work… now that’s how I like to bake!  The majority of the time it’s in the oven or cooling in the fridge.
Hellooooo easy make-ahead appetizer for parties & potlucks!
Savory Pumpkin Basil Cheesecake Spread
Savory Pumpkin Basil Cheesecake Spread
Though the prep-work is super speedy, leave enough time for this beauty to bake for 50 minutes, sit for an hour, and chill for 3 hours. It’s a tried and true cheesecake method that yields perfect results!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
- 6 chopped basil leaves
- 2 TBSP chopped green onions
- 3 TBSP pureed pumpkin
- 8 Ritz crackers crushed
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- a pinch of salt
- butter to grease the pan
- a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Gadgets Utilized:
- 4 or 4 + 1/2 inch spring-form pan
- a baking dish of any type around 8×8 in size
- a food processor
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Measure out your cheeses and allow to reach room temperature along with one large egg
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Prep your mini springform pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper and lightly greasing the sides with butter.
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Next wrap the outside of the pan in one layer of heavy duty foil or two layers of regular foil. To do this, cut two large squares of foil, place the pan on top, centered, and fold to make a barrier along the bottom and sides, leaving the top open for your cheesecake.
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Place the pan in a baking dish and set aside.
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Combine cream cheese, ricotta, and feta in your food processor. Pulse to gently mix.
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Next add your egg, sugar, pumpkin and a pinch of salt and pulse again.
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Whatever you do, don’t skip the egg, I did a few rounds of recipe testing with this and the egg-less version just didn’t have the right texture/taste.
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Lastly, add the chopped green onion and torn/chopped basil to the mixture and pulse gently to mix.
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I decided to mimic a cheesecake even further and add the traditional cracker crust to the bottom, using savory Ritz crackers instead of sweet graham crackers. Crush crackers and combine with a 1/2 Tablespoon or so of melted butter. Spread evenly onto the parchment paper at the bottom of your spring-form pan and top with your cheesecake mixture.
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Place your spring-form pan inside your baking dish and fill with enough hot water to reach about 1/3 of the way up the cheesecake pan.Â
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Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes.
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When finished, the cheesecake will be golden around the edges and wiggle a little when gently shaken.
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Turn off the oven but leave the cheesecake to cool down slowly in the oven for an hour to prevent cracking.
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After an hour has passed, cover with saran wrap and place the cheesecake in the fridge for a minimum 3 hours to set the shape.
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It can be chilled in the fridge up to 2 days before serving, making this a perfect make-ahead appetizer!
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After carefully removing from the pan, plate and serve room temperature. Leave out for 30-60 min before serving with crusty toasted bread or your favorite crackers. Drizzle with olive oil and top with basil leaves before serving for a glossy and tasty garnish!
Recipe Notes
If you’re new to or nervous about using a water bath for this cheesecake, an easy alternative is to place a baking dish filled halfway with water in the rack directly below the rack the cheesecake sits on. The only downside to this steaming method is that sometimes your cheesecake may crack a little.
adapted from Giada at Home
Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy!
You will totally want to invest in one of these bad boys to make this Savory Pumpkin Basil Cheesecake:
Scoop up this adorable 4 inch spring-form pan at Michael’s craft store for $3 with one of their printable coupons. You can also pick up a trio for around $8 on amazon.com. The recipe will work with both a 4-inch and a 4 + 1/2 inch pan. Between this recipe and my savory spinach and artichoke cheesecake recipe, I’ve gotten so much use out of mine over the years it’s borderline ridiculous.
This savory pumpkin cheesecake spread is SO SO SO GOOD!
I knew when I snuck a taste from the food processor that it was going to rock… but the second I could smell it in the oven, I had to refrain from popping a squat infront of it to anxiously await my snack. It smells fabulous and tastes even better!
Especially on crusty bread… *cue angels singing*
If you are one of the lucky ladies who live here and are reading this, I’m totally making you this spread.  Its RIDICULOUSLY good!  Though it takes some time to bake, you don’t have to babysit this at all! Just set a timer and go about your day.
You’ll put in maybe 10-15 minutes of actual effort for a savory cheesecake that looks and tastes like it should be served in a fancy restaurant. In fact, one of my favorite restaurants back in Florida serves a savory artichoke cheesecake that this recipe beats the pants off of.
If you’re throwing a party or attending a potluck of sorts this holiday season, totally make/bring this instead of a store bought cheese spread.  It’s light and fluffy with fantastic flavor!
If you get a chance to try this savory Pumpkin Basil Cheesecake Spread, let me know!
You can leave me a comment here (LOVE checking those daily!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS #PEASANDCRAYONS on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creations! I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
Julie Evink
This was such a great appetizer for our party! I’ll be making it all fall long!
Jenn
So happy to hear it Julie, thank you!
Jessica
Hip hop, hooray for Pumpkin season! Was so tired of seeing sweet pumpkin recipes, so when I saw a savory one, I got all excited. Three cheers!
Jenn
Savory pumpkin is the way to my heart, always!
[email protected]
ooh, looks and sounds delicious!!! Never had a savory cheesecake before, sounds perfect for potlucks. Beautiful pictures, too! 🙂
Sandra
Oh wow wow..what a amazing flavor of this cheesecake! I don’t like it, I love it! Awesome photos too! Thank you for sharing and have a lovely day!
Julie at Burnt Carrots
This looks insane! Who would have thought basil and pumpkin. I’m adding this to my Thanksgiving list!
Shannah @ Just Us Four
Hi there – I wanted to stop by and let you know that I featured this awesome recipe in my pumpkin post yesterday! I hope you will stop by and check it out.
Mum's the word
man that looks good! Im going to try this for one of our summer wine and cheese nights! now to find a spring pan small enough!
ohkeeka
I’ve had savory cheesecake once before, but this one sounds even better. Because: pumpkin!
I’m getting a grown-up camera soon so you totally need to teach me how to take pictures like yours. Your photos are so pretty!
Sophie @ LoveLiveAndLearn
Mmm this looks amazing!
I have seen so many pumpkin recipes lately, I really want some!
The pictures are gorgeous 🙂
[email protected] eco friendly homemaking
I so love basil and this recipe sounds awesome!!
Julia
I made this last night, I’m serving it at a dinner tonight. Turned out PERFECT!!!! Can’t wait to ‘wow’ all of the party guests with it!
Lauren
Love the idea of this but despite your encouragement this seems totally out of my cooking league. springform? Would never have known if you didn’t insert photo. I’m having people over for halloween but I really don’t know if I’m up for this challenge, how lame is that? I cook constantly I’m just baking shy.
Jules
That looks so delish and what a CUTE idea with the ritz crust! Can you really taste the pumpkin?? I bet sage would taste good mixed in there too…it goes so well with pumpkin!
nutritionbynature.net
YUM, this looks amazing, thank you for the recipe!
Kristin @STUFT Mama
You are magnificent (and so is that cheesecake spread). Yum! I WISH I lived there so you could make me some. I still need to get to your peppers…….. what happens to my days? 🙂
Leila @ Spinach and Skittles
So, even though I’m not lucky enough to live near you, you can totally send that on dry ice and I’ll gobble it right up. Yum!
KellyB
I’m so making this for my next get together!!
Courtney B
Oh my… YUM!! You have the most amazing recipes! Aah!!
Lauren
Ahmazing…! LOvely pics 🙂
Emily @ Life on Food
Oh man this looks good…I was questioning the whole savory cheesecake till I saw the ingredient list. Loving the Ritz cracker crust. I cannot wait to try this one out…I am thinking figs would be great too!
helen
I am totally marking this little beauty for Thanksgiving!
Stephanie
You always make such pretty food. Mine usually looks like cat vomit. Really, I should learn from you. Ha!
Orange Autumn
yummy!! this looks to die for.
Julia
Savory cheesecake are one of my absolute favorite things, in the world!!!!! This looks amazing, and I love that I can use my little springform pan for it!
LauraJayne
This looks SUPER delicious – and I love “easy-to-make” things, because if they aren’t easy right now, I simply don’t make them! YUM!
Deidre
HOLY MOLY this looks DELICIOUS. So yummy!
I made a white chocolate cheesecake that was pretty AMAZING.
Tessa @ Amazing Asset
What an interesting recipe… I have never thought of doing cheesecake in a savory way! Clearly I need to branch out more 🙂
Anonymous
Bring it Saturday?
-Jordan
Lisa
You’re a genius! This is amazing…I’m def making it for a party this weekend!
I’ve always loved standard plain old cheesecake…mmmm!
Shari
I knew I had seen this on Giada. I need to invest in one of those teeny springform pans. So cute, and this dip looks awesome. I think I may have to make it for Thanksgiving. 🙂
Tanja @ Postmodern Hostess
Looks SO yummy! Okay, sorry if you’ve already addressed this, but how did you get that cutie “Pin” button? Is there some easy code I can pop in? I love that!
[email protected]
Oh wow that looks sensational! Love cheese spreads! My friends is doing a fall themed bridal shower, I’m so linking this to her!! 🙂
Anna @ On Anna's Plate
What an interesting dish!! Perfect for the upcoming holiday season!
MegSmith @ Cooking.In.College
Well this is gorgeous and just sounds fantastic!
Allison
Wow this looks extremely impressive. I can’t imagine what it must taste like. Thanks for sharing!
Kris @ everywhereorange.com
oh my!!! this looks so fancy!!! i can’t wait to try this. 🙂
[email protected] Cookies Don't Count
This looks INCREDIBLY delicious! I’ve go to try this. I’ll need to get one of those nifty pans though. Guess I’ll have to take the food processor out of the box too, the mini one I got at the rummage sale would be too small. Mmmm…cheeses…
Kristina @ spabettie
great job, girl. I love savory cheesecakes… and I think my favorite cheesecake is a simple New York style… Mmm…
I LOVE my springform pans – regular size and mini! 😀
Michelle
This seriously lookssss amazzinnngggg! I love cheesecake both savory and sweet so this is awesome! Go you with all these awesome recipes! xoxo
[email protected]
I am not a huge cheesecake fan but this sounds good. I made an incredibly good choc cheesecake once. Too rich to eat an entire piece though.
The Kidless Kronicles
Katy
I want some!!! It looks fabulous. I think I’m totally going to go back to Michael’s and get the mini springform. I love your point about portions. <3 <3
Kara @ Nest Candy
Yum! Yum! Yum! This just sounds amazing! Too bad everyone around me either hates cream cheese or can’t eat it. Is it bad if I just make the whole thing for myself… 🙂
Jenny @ Simply Be...me
Interesting! I think this would be a fantastic alternative to the classic cheeseball youn often see at parties.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
This is great! I love taking dishes like this to parties – they look (and taste) impressive but only take 10 mins to create. Bookmarking fo’ shizzle!
Cara @ Chic Meets Healthy
Oh this sounds wonderful!!! Love pumpkin recipes!
caitplusate.com
Ah and Shannon’s comment just made me notice the sweater! You are awesome.
caitplusate.com
Holy crap this looks awesome! Love how it looks like a cheese wheel when it’s all done. Super cute!
Shannon @ Healthiful Balance
That looks GOOD! 🙂 yum!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
Did you take this picture on a sweater?! love it! The cheesecake looks amazing, so creative! Springform pans and water baths scare me but for pumpkin + basil I might give it a try 😉
Stephanie
That is a masterpiece if I ever saw one!
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