20 Cheese Recipes So Good, You’ll Want To Try Them All
Cheese regularly transforms ordinary meals into something special. From gooey grilled sandwiches to sophisticated soufflés, this versatile ingredient adds richness and depth to countless dishes.
I’ve gathered my favorite cheese-based recipes that range from quick weeknight dinners to impressive party showstoppers – each one guaranteed to satisfy your cheese cravings!
1. Classic Mac and Cheese with a Twist
Nothing beats homemade mac and cheese with its velvety sauce coating every pasta curve. My secret? A blend of sharp cheddar, gruyère, and a touch of blue cheese for unexpected depth.
I once made this for my picky nephew who declared it “the best thing ever” before asking for thirds! The crispy panko breadcrumb topping adds perfect textural contrast to the creamy pasta beneath.
2. Mouthwatering Three-Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Baby portobello mushrooms become flavor vessels when stuffed with ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella. Garlic and herbs elevate this appetizer beyond ordinary fare.
The mushrooms shrink slightly while baking, concentrating their earthy flavor while the cheese filling becomes molten and aromatic.
Serve these at your next gathering and watch them disappear faster than you can say “cheese!”
3. Heavenly Cheese Soufflé
Light as air yet rich with flavor, cheese soufflé isn’t as intimidating as you might think. The key is properly beaten egg whites and good quality Gruyère cheese.
My first attempt collapsed faster than a house of cards in a windstorm! Now I’ve perfected the technique of gentle folding and precise baking times.
The dramatic puff as it rises in the oven still thrills me every time I peek through the oven window.
4. Irresistible Halloumi Fries
Crispy on the outside, squeaky and soft inside – halloumi fries are the ultimate cheese indulgence. This Mediterranean cheese holds its shape when fried, creating perfect dippable sticks.
A light dusting of seasoned flour helps create that golden crust. Serve with a cool yogurt and mint dip for the perfect contrast to the warm, salty cheese.
These addictive morsels never last long at my dinner parties!
5. The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Forget basic grilled cheese – this version uses three cheeses (sharp cheddar, gruyère, and fontina) on artisanal sourdough bread. The outside gets perfectly crisp thanks to a thin layer of mayonnaise instead of butter.
I learned this trick from my grandmother who swore by adding a slice of tomato and some fresh basil between the cheese layers.
The tomato’s acidity cuts through the richness while the bread develops that irresistible golden-brown crunch.
6. Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion Tart
Sweet, slowly caramelized onions balance the bold punch of blue cheese in this sophisticated tart. The buttery pastry base provides the perfect canvas for these intense flavors.
A splash of balsamic vinegar adds depth to the onions as they transform from sharp to meltingly sweet. This tart has converted even the most stubborn blue cheese skeptics at my dinner table!
7. Spicy Jalapeño Popper Dip
All the flavor of jalapeño poppers without the tedious stuffing! This crowd-pleasing dip combines cream cheese, cheddar, diced jalapeños and a crunchy breadcrumb topping.
The first time I brought this to a potluck, people hovered around it like bees to honey. The creamy cheese mixture mellows the peppers’ heat just enough.
Serve with tortilla chips or crudités for the perfect game day snack that disappears in minutes.
8. Baked Brie with Honey and Nuts
Simple yet spectacular, a wheel of brie transforms when baked until molten inside. Topped with honey, toasted walnuts, and a sprinkle of thyme, it becomes an elegant appetizer.
The contrast between the gooey center and the intact rind creates a natural serving bowl. I served this at my sister’s engagement party, and guests actually applauded when I cut into it, revealing the luscious melted interior cascading onto the serving board.
9. Savory Cheese and Herb Scones
Forget sweet scones – these savory versions packed with cheddar, chives, and black pepper make an incredible accompaniment to soups or salads. The cheese creates pockets of gooey goodness throughout.
Cold butter is the secret to achieving those flaky layers. My kitchen smells like heaven when these are baking! The cheese that touches the baking sheet caramelizes slightly, creating irresistible crispy bits that everyone fights over.
10. Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
A whole loaf transformed into an interactive appetizer! Crosshatched cuts filled with garlic butter and multiple cheeses create pull-apart heaven after baking.
Every piece comes out gooey with cheese and fragrant with garlic. The first time I made this, my roommates smelled it baking and materialized in the kitchen before I could even call them!
The crusty exterior gives way to soft, cheese-filled interior that’s utterly addictive.
11. Creamy Goat Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Chicken
Butterfly chicken breasts and fill them with a mixture of tangy goat cheese, sautéed spinach, and roasted red peppers. The result is juicy chicken with a flavorful surprise inside.
The goat cheese becomes creamy as it melts, creating a natural sauce. I came up with this recipe when trying to impress a date – it worked so well I ended up marrying him!
Serve with a simple side salad for a dinner that feels fancy but comes together quickly.
12. Pear and Gorgonzola Flatbread
Sweet pears, pungent gorgonzola, and a drizzle of honey create perfect harmony atop crispy flatbread. The contrast of flavors and textures makes this an impressive appetizer or light meal.
A sprinkle of thyme and some toasted walnuts add earthy notes. The flatbread base gets amazingly crisp, providing the ideal foundation for the soft pears and creamy cheese.
My friends now request this whenever we have wine nights!
13. Ricotta Lemon Pancakes
Weekend breakfasts reach new heights with these cloud-like pancakes. Ricotta cheese creates an incredibly tender texture while lemon zest adds bright flavor notes.
Stack them high and top with fresh berries and maple syrup. My daughter calls these “cloud cakes” because they’re so light and fluffy!
The ricotta doesn’t make them taste cheesy – instead, it creates a delicate, moist texture that regular pancakes can’t match.
14. Cheesy Hasselback Potato Gratin
Thinly sliced potatoes arranged vertically absorb cream and cheese between each slice, creating the ultimate potato side dish. The tops become crispy while the insides stay creamy.
Gruyère and parmesan cheeses melt into every crevice. I made these for Thanksgiving instead of traditional mashed potatoes, and they’ve been requested every year since!
The presentation is stunning with minimal extra effort – perfect for impressing guests.
15. Burrata with Roasted Tomatoes and Basil
Simplicity at its finest! Creamy burrata cheese paired with sweet roasted tomatoes and fresh basil showcases quality ingredients without fuss. A drizzle of good olive oil completes this elegant appetizer.
The contrast between the burrata’s firm exterior and creamy center is magical. I first encountered this combination at a small Italian restaurant in Florence and have been recreating it at home ever since.
Even tomato skeptics are converted by the sweet intensity of roasting!
16. Feta and Watermelon Salad with a Twist
The classic combination of salty feta and sweet watermelon gets upgraded with mint, cucumber, and a honey-lime dressing. Each bite delivers a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
The trick is using good quality feta – preferably Greek – and chilling everything well before serving. This became my signature summer dish after bringing it to a neighborhood cookout where three people asked for the recipe before the night was over!
17. Gooey Mozzarella Sticks with Homemade Marinara
Crunchy outside, stretchy inside – homemade mozzarella sticks beat restaurant versions every time. The key is double-coating in seasoned breadcrumbs and freezing before frying.
That perfect cheese pull when you take the first bite is deeply satisfying! My kids and I make these together on movie nights.
The homemade marinara sauce adds brightness that cuts through the richness of the fried cheese perfectly.
18. Savory Cheese and Chive Waffles
Forget sweet waffles – these savory versions studded with cheddar and fresh chives make a spectacular base for fried chicken or poached eggs. The cheese creates crispy edges while keeping the interior tender.
The waffle iron caramelizes the cheese that touches the surface, creating irresistible flavor. I stumbled upon this recipe when I had dinner guests but was out of bread – now they specifically request my “waffle benedicts” when they visit!
19. Mediterranean Whipped Feta Dip
Tangy feta transformed into a cloud-like dip with olive oil, lemon, and herbs. The food processor creates an impossibly smooth texture that’s perfect for spreading on warm pita.
Topped with olives, cucumber, and tomatoes, it becomes a colorful appetizer. I brought this to a beach picnic last summer, and everyone was scraping the container clean!
The brightness of the lemon perfectly balances the salty feta cheese.
20. Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Bread Bombs
Bite-sized pieces of dough wrapped around cubes of mozzarella, brushed with garlic butter and baked until golden. When you pull them apart, the cheese stretches dramatically.
These disappear faster than I can make them! The first time I served these at a party, guests hovered around the oven waiting for the next batch.
The garlicky, buttery exterior gives way to molten cheese centers that are utterly irresistible.