20 Recipes with Half and Half to Use It Up (2024)

Try these recipes with half and half to use it all up!

I will be the first to admit that half-and-half is one of those ingredients I buy for one recipe, then forget. We all have our flaws.

I love finding new ways to use up ingredients I already have on hand, so these recipes are a must!

20 Recipes with Half and Half to Use It Up (1)

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Whether you have a pint of half-and-half begging to be used or are looking for new recipes, I have you covered.

All of these recipes go well beyond simple coffee and cream.

This list is loaded with 20 rich recipes to help you use up what’s left in your fridge. Keep it simple or add complexity!

From creamy panna cotta to tres leches cake, half and half is as diverse as you want it to be!

1. Garlic Cream Sauce

Creamy garlic sauce is the perfect way to use up leftover half and half. It has just six ingredients and takes a few minutes to prepare.

I love recipes that are easy to toss together on busy nights. This sauce is delicious on pasta and any protein you can imagine!

2. Classic Panna Cotta

Most think of panna cotta as a complicated, sophisticated dessert. With this recipe, you’ll be a panna cotta master, and with minimal effort!

The berry gel is a delicious contrast to the creamy custard. For a richer dessert, use caramel or chocolate sauce instead.

3. Chocolate Ice Cream

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream!

What better use half and half than rich, chocolate ice cream? If you haven’t made your own chocolate ice cream, do yourself a favor and try it.

This recipe calls for three cups of half and half, which may be more than you have leftover. If so, adjust the proportions for fewer servings.

4. Chicken Lazone

Chicken breast is even better when coated with buttery cream sauce. Of course, a hearty bed of pasta does the trick, too!

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Why not enjoy the best of both worlds with creamy chicken lazone? In 30 minutes, you can use up your leftover half-and-half and have a beautiful dinner.

5. French Toast

Using half-and-half in place of regular milk in French toast takes it to the next level.

The heavier cream saturates the bread and creates a breakfast-friendly dessert.

This recipe is made with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.

I love serving French toast with loads of fresh fruit in place of syrup. Berries add beautiful color, flavor, and texture to this recipe.

6. Cream of Mushroom Soup

Sure, canned soup is fine in a pinch. But with just a few ingredients, you can make your own cream of mushroom soup!

You’ll find that making homemade cream of mushroom soup is simple and satisfying. This is a soup recipe you will enjoy spoon after spoon.

Earthy, creamy, and hearty. Does it get any better?

7. Coconut Cream Pie

Coconut cream pie is the perfect use for half and half you have on hand. In fact, you might just have everything you need to make this creamy dessert!

Fragrant coconut and creamy custard. Yes, please!

This is the ultimate summer pie for your next warm-weather get-together.

8. Scrambled Eggs

You have to try these scrambled eggs. Seriously, this is the easiest recipe on this list!

Adding half and half to your scrambled eggs creates a fluffier, richer consistency.

Be warned, you won’t want to go back to making eggs any other way!

9. Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches might seem intimidating, but really it is quite easy to make.

In essence, it’s a vanilla sponge cake saturated with a blend of milk.

The blend calls for half and half and is poured slowly over the cake after baking. This cake is rich, creamy, and a Latin American classic!

10. Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken

Parmesan chicken isn’t always made with tomato sauce! Sometimes, it’s a well-balanced cream sauce, loaded with parmesan cheese.

The lemon adds citrus sophistication to a comforting pasta dish. Serve it over traditional pasta or your favorite zoodles. Either way is a win!

11. Broccoli Cheese Soup

If your heart is in need of a big hug, look no further.

Creamy broccoli cheese soup is the perfect warm-up on a cold night. Not to mention, it’s a hearty way to use up that half-and-half!

This is one of my favorite recipes for many reasons. The best part is, it takes just a few ingredients and less than an hour to whip up.

12. Mashed Potatoes

I love mashed potatoes with half and half. Okay, I just love mashed potatoes.

But adding in a heavier cream in place of milk makes the mashed potatoes so much richer!

In this recipe, you’ll melt your butter and half and half before mashing.

13. Vanilla Pudding

Instant pudding has nothing on homemade vanilla pudding. It’s rich, elegant, creamy, and perfect for all occasions.

It only takes six ingredients and a few steps to make the best pudding you’ll ever have. Be sure to let your pudding cool for a couple of hours before serving.

This pudding is great on its own, but can easily be added to for entertaining company.

Fresh berries add beautiful dimension!

14. White Russian

White Russians are like alcoholic iced coffees. Using half and half in place of heavy cream adds the perfect richness.

Coffee and cream are all the better with a splash of vodka!

I highly recommend the scoop of ice cream in place of ice cubes for a cold coffee co*cktail. This is one cold co*cktail that’s superb in all seasons!

15. Clam Chowder

This chowder is hearty, creamy, and the perfect use for the last cup of half-and-half.

This recipe is a frugal and flavorful variation of clam chowder. Canned clams add the rich seafood flavor without breaking the bank.

Bacon adds the perfect savory flavor and crunchy texture right before serving.

16. Basil Pesto Cream with Tortellini

Creamy pesto has the flavor you need in your life. Use your favorite pesto and mix with butter and half-and-half.

The result will be your new favorite herb sauce.

Cheese tortellini is the perfect carb to coat with this creamy pesto sauce. But really, any pasta you have on hand will do!

17. Homemade Carrot Cake

If I were Superman, carrot cake would be my kryptonite.

This is a traditional carrot cake, loaded with texture and flavor.

This recipe uses a pinch of half and half for the cream cheese frosting. Assembly can be half the battle.

Don’t stress, as the flavor will be the same no matter how it looks!

18. Bowtie Chicken Alfredo

Homemade Alfredo sauce is easy to make and worth the effort!

Pan-seared chicken and creamy Alfredo sauce is a classic use of half-and-half. This recipe uses a wine reduction, adding deeper flavor to the sauce.

The bow tie pasta adds a beautiful dimension and texture. Don’t forget to top it with extra parmesan!

19. Breve Latte

Okay, we’ve all used half and half as coffee creamer. Level up your game and enjoy espresso and steamed half-and-half.

Breve lattes are creamier and richer than traditional lattes.

No milk steamer? No problem! Just warm up your milk and use a hand frother to get the same result!

20. Mac and Cheese

Slow cooker macaroni and cheese is one meal that everyone has to try at least once. Creamy, cheesy, and easy: three words you love to hear!

Using freshly grated cheese, evaporated milk, and half and half makes this pasta perfectly creamy.

After 2 hours of slow cooking, this pasta is ready to serve!

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20 Recipes with Half and Half to Use It Up (2024)

FAQs

What is a good use of half-and-half? ›

Half-and-half is one of the most versatile ingredients in your refrigerator. You might only use it every morning in your coffee, but it is a handy milk substitute in baking, makes pasta sauces creamier, and can add flavor and body to gravies and pan sauces.

Can you make anything out of half-and-half? ›

Half and half: you use it coffee, sometimes you need it in a recipe, you can use it to make ice cream and it makes a great custard when paired with eggs.

Can I freeze half-and-half? ›

Storing it in a sealable, freezer-safe plastic bag is the way to go — just make sure the freezer is set to 0 degrees F or lower. Half-and-half can stay frozen indefinitely as long as it's stored correctly, but it's recommended to use it within three months for the best flavor.

Can you use half-and-half to make whipped cream? ›

Yes, you can make whipped cream with half and half. However, it may not be as thick or stable as whipped cream made with heavy cream due to the lower fat content.

Is it OK to drink half-and-half? ›

For the most part, a splash of half-and-half in your coffee every day isn't going to impact your health too much. But if you are at increased risk for cardiovascular health, it's worth it to consider switching to a substitute lower in sugar and saturated fat.

Is half-and-half good for baking? ›

Can I substitute Half & Half for milk? Yes, you can cook and bake using Half & Half in place of milk in most cooking and baking recipes.

How long is half-and-half good? ›

Half-and-half is often safe to consume for up to one week past the expiration date when unopened and refrigerated. However, if it's opened, one should use it within 5-7 days. Always inspect the texture and smell before using.

Can half-and-half make butter? ›

You cannot make butter from milk or from half-and-half. This is because those dairy products do not have enough fat in them. Heavy cream butter is a fantastic texture and flavor due to its fat content.

Can you use half-and-half in pasta? ›

Yes, as a matter of fact, using half and half instead of heavy cream results in a sauce that is equally as thick and creamy. How do you thicken half and half for Alfredo? We've added a couple tablespoons of flour to this sauce recipe to make sure the sauce turns out equivalently thick and creamy using half and half.

Can you make milk out of half-and-half for a recipe? ›

Half and half can easily be used in place of whole milk with the addition of a little water. Combine ¾ cup half and half and ¼ cup water for every cup of whole milk you're substituting. 1 cup whole milk: combine ¾ cup half and half and ¼ cup water.

How to turn cream into butter? ›

Method
  1. Pour the cream into a jar with a clean marble inside. ...
  2. Scrape out the contents into a sieve sitting over a bowl – the liquid that drains out is buttermilk (which can be kept and used for baking or in pancakes), and the fatty solid in the sieve is the butter.

Can I freeze heavy cream? ›

Similar to milk, heavy cream can be frozen for 1 to 2 months. It will also separate once thawed, but heavy cream's higher fat content does fare better — it separates less than lighter dairy products.

How to make your own double cream? ›

  1. In a large pot over medium-low heat, bring the milk to a soft boil until it turns foamy.
  2. Collect the fats rising to the top with a slotted spoon and transfer into a clean airtight container.
  3. Allow to rest in the fridge for about a day, so that the cream can set.

Can I use half-and-half to make ice cream? ›

This recipe is enough for one person to make one dish, but you can always scale it up a bit so you can share with friends as well. Don't worry too much if you don't have whole milk or heavy cream. Nearly any milk will work, and you can substitute half-and-half for the cream.

Can half-and-half be used to make cheese? ›

Ingredients Needed:

Half and Half and Heavy Whipping Cream - This is what adds the "cream" to the cream cheese. Lemon juice - Fresh is what we always use, but a bottled juice is totally fine, too! Salt - Kosher is always our preferred for cheese making because it is the purest form of salt.

Can I turn half-and-half into butter? ›

Using half and half instead of heavy cream will not yield the same results because it has a lower fat content. The lower fat content in half and half will not be sufficient to separate the butterfat from the liquid, resulting in a different consistency and texture [1].

What does half-and-half do to coffee? ›

It's used to sweeten coffee while also making the texture richer and more velvety. If you add half-and-half to your coffee every day, it's worth it to find out how it's impacting your body. After all, it's the habits we do regularly that impact health the most.

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