7 Ways With Cheddar

Whether it's sprinkled atop a casserole or melted into a dip, cheddar is the ultimate in versatile cheeses. Use it for breakfast on a skillet dish, in cheese straws as an appetizer, or in a delicious apple pie for dessert.

The ingredients for this rich dough–Cheddar, flour and butter–comes together in mere seconds when pulsed in a food processor. A favorite hostess gift and cocktail nibble, cheese straws are traditionally made with a cookie press. But this version needs no special equipment: just roll, slice and bake.Recipe: Cheese Straws

Save this recipe for an aged farmhouse Cheddar that deserves to be shown off. For a touch of casual elegance, serve this cheese course at a dinner party before or in place of dessert.Recipe: Aged Cheddar with Apple Wedges and Cider Reduction

Stir cheese into the creamy, ham-flecked sauce, then sprinkle more on top. Uncover the dish 30 minutes before it's finished baking to give the Cheddar a chance to turn a delectable golden brown.Recipe: Country Potatoes au Gratin

Fragrant, moist, and tender, these are the biscuits to bake when you want to treat weekend guests to a hearty brunch. The combination of potato and Cheddar never fails to please.Recipe: Potato-and-Cheese Biscuits

A Southern specialty ordinarily used to grace appetizer tables or fill lunch sandwiches, pimento cheese becomes a piquant, gooey, criminally decadent topping when spread on a warm burger.Recipe: Pimento Cheese-Gilded Burger

This otherwise classic preparation of a childhood favorite includes a spoonful of wholegrain mustard, which emphasizes Cheddar's sharp, savory flavor. Pull this out of the oven to set the mood for a home-style family get-together.Recipe: Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Far easier than a Cheddar-crusted apple pie, this galette makes the most of autumn fruit by combining it with caramel and sharp Cheddar. The layer of cheese between the fruit and the crust also prevents the crust from becoming soggy.Recipe: Fall Pear Galette