Our 100 Best Recipes with Cheese

Cheesy Sausage, Broccoli, and Quinoa Casserole Recipe

We traded white rice for whole-grain quinoa and kicked out any processed ingredients for a new take on this comfort classic. Freeze an extra pan of this whole-grain main for kid-friendly comfort. To add more flavor to quinoa, try toasting it. Here's how: After you've rinsed and drained the quinoa, heat a saucepan over medium-high heat and add the quinoa. Toast, stirring, until the grains begin to smell fragrant. Then, add the water and cook as normal. 

Ham and Cheese Pizza Recipe

When a classic sandwich gets reincarnated as a cheesy pizza, rave reviews are bound to follow. Sweet, crisp Fuji apple provides a great balance to the rich, gooey cheese and savory ham, and everyone knows there's no better place to slip in some extra leafy greens than on a pizza. To get julienne-cut apple pieces, cut into thin slices; then stack and cut lengthwise into matchsticks.

Blue Cheese Mac-And-Cheese Recipe

This incredibly rich baked mac and (blue) cheese might be the one dish that even the most staunch blue cheese hater will embrace with open arms. If a side dish better suited to accompany your next steak dinner exists, we sure don’t know what it could be.

Pepperoni-Pizza Baked Potatoes Recipe

We'll take our baked potatoes loaded up with cheese and pepperoni!

The Cheeseburger Salad Recipe

Classic burger elements become a fast, fun salad--a deconstructed take on a diner favorite. Instead of four burger patties, we cook just two, then chop and sprinkle them over the top. A handful of crushed potato chips adds crunch. Kick up the dressing with a pinch of ground red pepper.

Parmesan-Basil-Cheddar Stars Recipe

Parmesan-Basil-Cheddar Stars shine with fresh basil flavor with every pop of these savory bites.

Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe

Creamy cheese, crisp bacon, and spicy jalapeño. What more could you want in a dip?

Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies Recipe

These savory little pies taste great whether served warm or at room temperature. And you can double or triple the recipe for large gatherings. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and fresh thyme before serving for a pretty presentation.

Rosemary-Asiago Whole-Wheat Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe

Bake these light and tender whole-grain rolls ahead and freeze up to 1 month, or make the dough ahead and bake on the day: Punch down the risen dough to form a ball, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill 8 hours or overnight. Return to a bowl and let rise at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours before shaping.

Baked Brie with Honey Recipe

A drizzle of honey adds a bit of sweetness to savory Brie. Pair this Baked Brie with Honey appetizer with grapes, dried figs, or apple slices. Try these baked brie combinations for other easy appetizers. 

Blushing Cheese Dip Recipe

As you dip the roasted beets into this delicate fondue, it will gradually turn pink. The cheese stays melted and creamy for a long time--this recipe, adapted from executive chef Jason Berthold of San Francisco's Monsieur Benjamin, is a fondue breakthrough, as far as we're concerned! When the fondue cools, it has the texture of cream cheese; post-Valentine's Day, spread it on toast as a delicious snack.

Bacon-Cheese Dip Recipe

Crumbled bacon is the crowing glory of this creamy cheese dip that features cream cheese, blue cheese and sour cream. You're guaranteed not to have any leftovers when you bring this dip to a party.

Prosciutto-Asiago Pimiento Cheese Recipe

This recipe gives some Italian flavor to Basic Pimiento Cheese. With crispy prosciutto and Asiago cheese, you’re definitely stepping up your dip game. Friends and family will think it is oh so fancy, but you will know it was super simple. From backyard cookouts to a porch party, this recipe can work for any occasion. It also makes the perfect snack for those long summer days. Hand shred your cheese for a better texture and flavor. We also prefer diced pimientos over sliced.

Pimiento Cheese Crackers Recipe

Sub your usual pimiento cheese and cracker combo for these crackers MADE FROM pimiento cheese.  See what we did there?

Creamy Four-Cheese Pasta With Spinach Recipe

Pasta night perfection. Four cheeses team up with gluten-free pasta to deliver a wholesome indulgence. 

Pimento Cheese Puffs Recipe

Classic French gougères with a Southern remix. These airy pimiento cheese puffs make an impressive addition to virtually any party spread. While the choux pastry dough may seem intimidating to make, trust us—success is just a matter of not walking away from the pan. As long as you can stay put and keep stirring (so that your dough doesn’t burn), you can make gougères. 

Grilled Cheeseburger Nachos Recipe

It was determined in our test kitchen that it is legitimately impossible to be anything other than happy while eating these cheeseburger nachos—do with that information what you will. The cookout-inspired food mashup is as perfect served as a fun, grilled snack for guests (especially during tailgating season) as it is an easy, throw-together meal to use up leftovers from a weekend get-together. So while the cheeseburger recipe provided here does produce an extremely moist and flavorful patty, you can certainly use leftover cooked burgers if you already have them on hand. 

Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe

This simple sheet pan technique allows you to make five grilled cheese sandwiches with at the same time (meaning everyone around the table gets an equally gooey and warm sandwich at the same time), and with not much more effort than it takes to prep one. We went with 4 type of cheese—goat, white cheddar, provolone, and Swiss—for these buttery, rich sheet pan grilled cheese sandwiches, but feel free to change the cheeses up depending on what you like or what you have in your fridge. You could also dress these up with a few added toppings, like spinach, basil leaves, and tomato slices—or allow folks to customize their own sandwich. Your grilled cheese, your choice. 

Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles Recipe

This make-ahead recipe is ideal for a brunch or holiday breakfast. Prepare the grits the night prior to serving, and then bake the casseroles before everyone arrives.  The single-serving portions feel more formal than a regular casserole dish. If you don’t have 8-ounce ramekins, our recipe can be made in a 2-quart baking dish (increase the baking time to about 50 to 55 minutes). 

Grilled Camembert with Macerated Cherries and Rosemary Recipe

Camembert with Macerated Cherries and Rosemary is a gooey, melty, grilled treat. Tip: If you can't find Camembert cheese, Brie works as a nice substitute. Serve with table water crackers.

Steak, Goat Cheese, and Onion Jam Tartine Recipe

We start these tartines (French for toasts, though more familiar to us as open-faced sandwiches) with a simple caramelized onion and balsamic jam. The onions cook down until deep golden and sweet, a great counter to the peppery arugula and tangy goat cheese. You can make the jam and cook the steak ahead and refrigerate, then build the toasts later.

Bacon-Goat Cheese Jalapeno Poppers Recipe

Salty bacon, rich goat cheese, savory-sweet jelly, and roasted jalapeño--it takes teamwork to make the dream work. If you already have the grill going, these dreamy little bites are equally easy to cook outdoors.

Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup  Recipe

This copycat version of Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup makes the fan-favorite dish easy to enjoy anytime. Plus, this simple-to-follow recipe rivals the original in terms of flavor, and at a fraction of the cost. The roux (a thickening base made of flour and butter) is used to create the soup’s signature smooth, rich consistency. The addition of turmeric brightens the natural yellow tint of this cheesy soup and adds a subtle depth of flavor. Meanwhile, the white pepper and ground nutmeg lend the soup a gentle warmth that balances out the richness of the dairy ingredients. The chicken broth and cheddar cheese provide a good amount of saltiness in this recipe, but be sure to give it a taste before serving, and stir in an additional pinch of salt if desired.       

Barbecue Mac and Cheese Recipe

Undercook the pasta by 1 minute. It will continue to cook in the creamy sauce while the crumb topping toasts under the broiler.

Prosciutto, Pear, and Blue Cheese Sandwiches Recipe

You’ll feel like you’ve entered a gourmet deli when you take a bite of these sandwiches. Bonus: They’re quick and easy to make.

Colby-Pepper Jack Cheese Dip Recipe

This colby-pepper jack cheese dip is made heartier by the addition of chopped cooked chicken.  Chopped chipotle peppers, jalapeños, and chili powder add even more heat. Prepare up to a day ahead; cover and chill in an airtight container, and bake just before serving.

Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

Variations on this creamy potato casserole can be found on potluck tables across the South.  Rather than using sodium-loaded canned soup, we made our own creamy sauce to update this dish.

Spinach-Feta Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Look for xanthan gum with the gluten-free baking mixes and flours; it's available in most supermarkets these days. You can get semi-close results with cornstarch, but the spuds won't be quite as creamy.

One-Pan Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe

Homemade sharp cheddar cheese sauce and smoked-paprika bread crumbs give this macaroni and cheese a massive flavor boost over the boxed version. 

Warm Cranberry-Walnut Brie Recipe

Dip into the luscious melted cheese with trans fat–free 100 percent whole-grain or wheat crackers.

Ultimate Cheese Pizza Recipe

Topping Homemade Pizza Dough with Slow-Cooker Tomato Sauce, mozzarella, Gouda, Parmesan, and fresh basil makes this the Ultimate Cheese Pizza. 

Ham and Dijon Grilled Cheese Recipe

These ooey-gooey pressed sandwiches feature Dijon mustard, deli ham, and Gruyère cheese.  

Herbed Goat Cheese Garlic Toasts Recipe

Cutting the baguette slices on the diagonal instead of crosswise will give you more surface area for the goat cheese mixture.

Marinated Feta Recipe

Olive oil and a sprinkling of fresh herbs create an ultra-flavorful marinade for feta cheese. Serve on crackers or spread on crusty bread for an elegant appetizer.

Fig-Glazed Chicken Panini with Brie Recipe

For sandwiches with great crunch, look for a rustic whole-grain bread boule. If you have trouble cutting 1-ounce slices across the width of the boule, cut it in half first.

One-Pan Broccoli-Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe

Butternut squash puree enhances the color here without distracting from the cheesy flavor, and it sneaks in another serving of vegetables. If you can't find frozen butternut puree, swap in an equal amount of mashed sweet potato or canned unsweetened pumpkin.

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Recipe

With only 3 simple ingredients, this truly is the ultimate grilled cheese. Perfect for a tight budget or someone who's short on time, this uncomplicated comfort food sandwich is the perfect anytime meal. Use mayonnaise instead of butter for added flavor and to keep the bread from burning.

Ham and Cheese Dutch Baby Recipe

This gloriously puffed-up Parmesan, Fontina, and country ham-studded Dutch baby will arrive at the table to a chorus of oohs and aahs, then gets hit with an aromatic kiss of lemon juice and fresh horseradish. 

Modern Cheese Balls Recipe

These are not your mother's cheese balls. First, they're made with goat cheese and shaped into bite-size balls, making them super easy to serve and eat. Also, they're rolled in a variety of tasty toppings: wasabi-coated peas, crushed gingersnaps, granola, and a Parmesan-fennel seed mixture.

Asparagus-Blue Cheese Canapés Recipe

Not a blue cheese fan? Use any soft, crumbly cheese you like.

Brie, Rhubarb, and Green Peppercorn Crostini Recipe

This is an unusual combination, but the bright, spicy bite of peppercorns and rhubarb cuts the cheese's creaminess. Trim off any rhubarb leaves, which are toxic, but leave the cheese rind on.

Three-Cheese White Pizza with Fresh Arugula Recipe

Try this trick to get ultra-thin fresh mozzarella slices: Pat mozzarella ball dry, and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes. You'll be able to cut paper-thin slices, which allow for more creamy, cheesy coverage.

Spinach and Cheese Hand Pies Recipe

When it comes to shortcut recipes, store-bought pie dough trumps everything. (BTW, it’s not just for pies!) With the help of prepared dough, these spinach and cheese hand pies come together in just 30 minutes. 

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Bacon Recipe

If you thought you loved your Instant Pot, just wait until you make a rich and gooey bowl of macaroni and cheese within minutes. The Instant Pot’s pressure function allows you to skip the entire process of boiling water, cooking, and draining the pasta, saving valuable time over a traditional stovetop mac and cheese recipe. And we keep the cheese sauce quick and convenient, as well as decadently creamy, by utilizing canned evaporated milk—an affordable staple that you may already have in your pantry. Plus, evaporated milk packs less fat than using heavy cream, which means you can feel a little better about all the cheese you’re pouring in to make a beautiful melty finish. We opted for a blend of cheddar and Gouda cheeses, but feel free to go all-cheddar or try adding another favorite cheese to the mix.

Mini Cheese Balls Recipe

Almond milk cream cheese is delicately nutty, with a buttery-rich texture and zero grams of sat fat. Find it at Whole Foods stores nationwide. You can substitute 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, which adds 1.6g sat fat to each serving.

Lemon-Ricotta Herbed Flatbread Recipe

A light layer of creamy ricotta sprinkled with fresh herbs dresses up store-bought crust in this bread starter. Lemon juice and rind add just the right flavor lift.

Spider Bagel Pizza Bites Recipe

These adorablly spooky pizza bagel bites make a tasty app for guests before your Halloween feast starts.

Goat Cheese Poppers with Honey Recipe

In addition to being a delicious appetizer that feels special, these Goat Cheese Poppers with Honey make for extra awesome croutons on salads and as "meat" balls for vegetarian pasta dishes. Be sure to bring your oil to the right heat before adding the poppers--if the oil is not hot enough, you will end up with a soggy, greasy mess instead of crisp poppers. Available at most stores that carry kitchen equipment for around $10, a kitchen thermometer is an incredibly worthy investment.

Cheesy Stuffed Pizza Crust Ring Recipe

Of course, we all know the only thing better than a standard hand-tossed pizza crust is a stuffed crust. We flavored this cheesy ring of bread-y glory with a seasoning blend inspired by the masters—Domino’s—and served it up with a delicious blend of the two most perfect crust dipping sauces: ranch and marinara. Warm from the oven, this cheesy appetizer is perfect for a Super Bowl party, or any other game day gathering. 

Savory Ham, Cheese, and Chive Scones Recipe

These savory scones are flakey, cheesy, rich, and uber-delicious. Similar to biscuits in texture, method, and ingredients, you’ll want to make sure your ingredients are good and cold to ensure the tenderest, flakiest scones possible. The scones can be made into whatever shape you like; they’ll bake just the same. Hearty, portable, and guaranteed crowd-pleasers, these ham, cheese, and chive scones would be perfect to pack up for a brunch or morning tailgate. 

Mexican Mac and Cheese Recipe

This south-of-the-border-inspired mac and cheese features chorizo sausage, plenty of gooey cheeses, hot sauce, and crushed tortilla chips.  

Grilled Margherita Sandwiches Recipe

This quick five-ingredient entrée transforms a favorite pizza combo into a melty grilled sandwich. To thinly slice fresh mozzarella with ease, freeze the cheese for about 30 minutes before cutting.

Phyllo Cups with Ricotta, Chèvre, and Thyme Recipe

Start making the phyllo stacks about 30 minutes after you put the cheese mixture in the refrigerator. Or make the cheese mixture a day ahead, and assemble before guests arrive.

Beer Cheese Soup Recipe

Our unexpected recipe makeover harnesses the power of comfort food in a nutrient-dense, slurp-worthy bowl of beer cheese bliss. Butternut squash complements the rich, savory notes of beer and two types of mustard, while ribbons of melty cheddar add a silky finish. All of these components fuse together to create a hearty yet delightfully dulcet soup guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out. A pale ale–style beer, such as Bass, is ideal in this dish. Avoid using dark beer, which could make the soup too bitter. Nutritional yeast is commonly sold powdered or in flakes. Find it in most health food stores and well-stocked markets. 

Cheesy Chicken Fajitas  Recipe

Chicken taco meets 7-layer dip in this fiesta of a skillet supper. You can swap in black beans or kidney beans for the pintos. For extra zest, serve with cilantro and lime wedges. Savor all the flavors of Taco Tuesday without any of the guilt. You can easily make vegetarian fajitas by removing the chicken and adding sliced zucchini, diced carrots and potatoes. Convert taco night into a buffet taco bar and let everyone build their own fajita. 

Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese   Recipe

This incredible sweet-meets-savory sandwich is buttery and beautiful way to celebrate apple season.  

Cheese Truffles Recipe

Pimiento cheese transforms into tiny little cheese truffles in this effortless recipe. These bite-sized cheese balls are perfect for your next party or get-together and are an easy no-cook solution to that appetizer spread. Roll each cheese ball into chopped toasted pecans, parsley or crumbled bacon for irresistible flavor in every bite.

Cheddar-Horseradish-Walnut Cheese Ball Recipe

You can also shape the cheese mixture into a Yule log.

Cheesy Rye Pizza Recipe

This white pizza pie is a mouthwatering celebration of how great rye and cheese taste together. Be sure to allow the pizza dough to rise slowly so that it does not become too bready. 

Extra-Easy Lasagna Recipe

When we say easy, we mean easy. You don't even have to cook the noodles for this speedy yet impressive lasagna that always gets rave reviews. Lasagna is a family favorite, but this version is extra-special because it only requires 5 quick ingredients: ground beef, pasta sauce, lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, and shredded mozzarella (we don’t count the water!). It’s rated 5 stars for a reason. Pro tip: Make a double batch: Enjoy one now and freeze one for a quick meal on a busy weeknight.

Mac and Cheeseburger Recipe

Mac and cheese gets heartier, and possibly even more family-friendly, when you stir ground beef and fire-roasted tomatoes into the cheese sauce. Make sure to drain the tomatoes so the sauce doesn’t get too thin. We call for whole-grain rotini, but any short pasta shape will work here; just do try to go whole-grain for more nutrition. This budget-friendly dinner costs less than $9. If you don't have dry mustard (used for added depth), stir in a teaspoon of Dijon.

Grilled Cheese Skillet "Panini" Recipe

A gooey, golden-crisp grilled cheese sandwich is the perfect partner to our Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup. We lean on reduced-fat cheddar but add a little canola mayo to stretch the cheese and encourage extra meltiness for a mixture that has 50% less sat fat than regular cheddar and saves 190 mg sodium over processed American cheese.

Classic Pasta Carbonara Recipe

This simple, classic pasta carbonara recipe is the perfect dish when you need a special night in. And with this foolproof method for nailing the signature creamy sauce, you can go into the kitchen with confidence. Traditionally, you would toss your hot pasta with the eggs and cheese right in the skillet you’ve used to cook the pork (over low heat) to create a smooth, emulsified sauce. However, this method takes practice to get right—and crossing the fine line between gently cooking the eggs and scrambling them is all too easy, even for a pro. 

Caramel Apple Dip Recipe

This easy caramel apple dip recipe is perfect for fall entertaining. Incredibly easy and incredibly tasty, your guests will keep coming back for more. Next time you're in the mood for a sugary spin on savory chips and salsa, try slicing up some apples to serve with caramel apple dip—you won't be disappointed. 

Louisiana Hot Crab Dip Recipe

Fresh crab meat is the star of this classic New Orleans appetizer.

Smoked Pimiento Cheese Hush Puppies with Pickled-Okra Tartar Sauce Recipe

This incredible twist on traditional corn meal hushpuppies calls for pimientos, mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses, chopped prosciuttos, and green scallions to be folded into the hushpuppy batter.  Pair with our homemade Pickled-Okra Tartar Sauce. 

Roasted Goat Cheese-Stuffed Portobellos Recipe

Serve with a mixture of sautéed sliced snap peas, radishes, and hot cooked brown rice. To make this a vegetarian main, simply skip the prosciutto.

Cranberry-Goat Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

Entertaining is stressful enough (especially during the holidays)—keep the party starters simple. Tangy goat cheese dresses up canned crescent dough and canned cranberry sauce like you wouldn’t believe in these easy, 3-ingredient appetizers. 

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce Recipe

Are you ready for the best chicken enchiladas of your life? While you could use a rotisserie chicken for this cheesy enchilada recipe, poaching chicken breasts in a delicately flavored liquid both creates succulently tender meat (that won’t dry out as the casserole bakes) and adds another layer of flavor to the dish. 

Fried Cheese Sticks Recipe

Just about everyone loves fried cheese sticks. Our version of this favorite appetizer gets a punch of heat from ground red pepper and cheese spiced with jalapenos. To tame the heat, use plain Monterey Jack (without the peppers), mozzarella or Swiss cheese, and either omit the red pepper or use less of it.

Herbed Goat Cheese and Ricotta Mini Pies Recipe

Why settle for a piece when you can have the whole pie? Filled with fresh herbs and cheesy goodness, these savory mini pies are the perfect dish for any brunch gathering. Using store-bought pie dough keeps this recipe super simple to make, but feel free to use your favorite homemade pie dough if you prefer. 

Pizza Rolls Recipe

These tender, buttery snack rolls are akin to cinnamon buns in structure… but they’re full-on pizza perfection in flavor. Using canned crescent roll dough and prepared marinara sauce keeps both the prep time and ingredient list short, making these cheesy, kid-friendly bites easy to whip up at a moment’s notice. Of course, you can also prep them ahead to enjoy as after-school snacks or on-the-go breakfasts throughout the week. Feel free to customize you homemade pizza rolls with your own favorite toppings. 

Marinated Goat Cheese Recipe

We steep aromatics in olive oil for a fragrant and flavorful marinade. It’s a great use for high-quality oil—the low heat won’t affect its flavor, and you can strain leftover oil to use to both cook and finish dishes. Aleppo pepper is slightly milder and fruitier than red pepper flakes, but an equal amount of red pepper flakes won’t overpower the cheese. Use the marinated cheese to spread on bread or crackers, or as a salad or sandwich topper.

Everything Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers Recipe

We all know that the addictiveness of the savory everything spice blend is amplified when paired with smooth cream cheese. Each popper is bursting with flavor and a variety of optional toppings keeps each bite interesting (and makes for a gorgeous platter). It seems you've found your new go-to party appetizer. Make sure that the jalapenos are par-cooked  before adding the cream cheese filling to ensure that the cream cheese doesn't burn. 

Loaded Baked Potato Dip Recipe

Take your love of baked potatoes and move it from the side dish spread to the appetizer buffet. Serve with waffle fries baked extra-crispy for dippers.

Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip Recipe

Bacon and trendy kale update the hot spinach dip.

Jalapeño-White Cheddar Pimiento Cheese Recipe

This updated take on traditional pimiento cheese features spicy jalapeños and white Cheddar cheese.  Serve with freshly cut veggies and crackers for dipping.  

Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

This chicken parmesan is an Italian classic that's easy to make and easy on your budget.

Three-Cheese Spinach and Caramelized Onion Dip Recipe

This rich and flavorful dip recipe easily becomes a fun and fancy take on a cheese-and-spinach dip when topped with crispy pancetta and crunchy fried shallots, which are essentially like mini onion rings. The complex flavors here elevate this dip to more than just your average party fare. It has texture, three cheeses for maximum flavor, and makes enough to serve a crowd. Although be warned, if you make this for a party once, be prepared to be asked to make it again and again!