50 Of Our Favorite Cheesy Recipes
50 Of Our Favorite Cheesy Recipes
Not to be too cheesy, but we think it's never been easier to make your next weeknight dinner a whole lot cheesier. We're not talking a light dusting of Parmesan or a couple of feta crumbles, either. No, all our favorite cheeses have been cast as the stars of each and every one of these super-easy recipes (don't worry, they go way beyond just mac and cheese and grilled cheeses too). So whether you're in the mood for mozzarella, ricotta, burrata, a melty cheddar (or all four!), these recipes were made for you. So go on, embrace the cheesy side of life.
Cheese is a beloved part of so many, well, cultures, if you'll forgive our pun. Italians are probably the most well known for their contributions to our cheese intake. I mean, when can you ever say no to burrata salads, carbonara pizza, and cacio e pepe?! And just across the Mediterranean, you'll meet some of our favorite cheeses ever: Cypriot halloumi and Greek feta. Because would we be without fried halloumi salads and baked feta pasta? We don't like to think about it.
When it comes to comfort food, salty and savory cheeses amp up all the coziness of our favorite warming winter dishes. Take tomato soup for instance. So good on its own, but add a solid chunk of Parm, and you've got an extraordinary creamy Parm tomato soup. We even took all the goodness of ricotta-packed lasagna to make our lasagna soup. And if you're like us and can't get enough of baked feta, you'll have our baked feta soup on repeat all season long.
Baked Feta Pasta
Obviously roasting a block of feta with bursting tomatoes is going to be amazing. But is it good enough to break TikTok like this one did? Our answer, begrudgingly, is yes. It's genius—super-easy but fancy enough for date night. ??
Get the Baked Feta Pasta recipe.
Crispy Cheddar Pork Chops With Brussels Sprouts & Apples
It’s time for some next-level shake and bake with these crispy, cheddary pork chops served with an easy Brussels sprouts and apple side. Both the panko and the cheddar crisp up on the outside of the chops to form a tasty crust that keeps the pork super-juicy and tender.
Get the Crispy Cheddar Pork Chops With Brussels Sprouts & Apples recipe.
Skillet Chili & Meatballs
We don't know about you, but we love chili with ALL the fixings. Dollop with sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo, guac, avocado chunks, or whatever your favorite chili garnishes are to amp it up. Serve leftovers spooned over warm brown rice or fold into toasted corn tortillas.
Get the Skillet Chili & Meatballs recipe.
Three-Cheese Mac
This foolproof, classic baked macaroni and cheese recipe is the only one you'll ever need, and it uses three of our favorite cheeses: cheddar, Gruyère, and Parm. If you're looking to add more vegetables to your life, check out our cauliflower mac and cheese—it makes veggies tolerable.
Get the Three-Cheese Mac recipe.
Pizza Dough Khachapuri
Khachapuri is a traditional Georgian bread—the dish gets topped with an egg yolk after coming out of the oven and mixed into the melty center. The bread is torn from the side and dipped into the cheesy center as you eat, making it the perfect self-contained appetizer. Though very untraditional, we made ours easier by using pre-made pizza dough (we're in LOVE).
Get the Pizza Dough Khachapuri recipe.
Best Grilled Cheese
Choose your favorite hearty bread, butter it up, and shred your favorite cheddar for the best grilled cheese ever: crispy-crunchy on the outside, melty, cheddar middle, and the world's most impressive cheese pull.
Get the Best Grilled Cheese recipe.
Spicy Tomato Cheddar Soup
There’s no better combo than grilled cheese and tomato soup—and this new spin on the classic pairing may just be the tastiest way to enjoy them. A deconstructed "grilled cheese" in the form of crispy homemade croutons and shredded cheddar floats atop sweet-spicy tomato-cheddar soup. The end result is creamy, blended goodness that’ll have you going back for seconds... and thirds...
Get the Spicy Tomato Cheddar Soup recipe.
Saag Paneer
Chopping all the baby spinach (a whole pound!) is the hardest part of this Indian recipe featuring paneer cheese. To save time, microwave it first so it steams, then chop.
Get the Saag Paneer recipe.
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Part retro, part cult classic, it’s hard to go wrong with a cheese ball. This festive pumpkin rendition may not contain any actual pumpkin, but it’s full of fresh herbs, minced jalape?o, and of course, plenty of cheese. Make a cheeseboard featuring one for the easiest, low-key weeknight meal that'll still feel a little festive this fall.
Get the Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe.
Green Chile Chicken Skillet Enchiladas
Craving homemade enchiladas and being in a hurry aren't really compatible since the classic Mexican dish requires many steps and a fair amount of time. Enter this green chile chicken skillet enchiladas recipe, a quick take on the dish that comes together in one skillet.
Get the Green Chile Chicken Skillet Enchiladas recipe.
Pizza Casserole
From the realms of cheesy pizza and bubbling baked pasta comes a new family favorite: pizza casserole. Loaded with sausage, veggies, and plenty of cheese, this easy weeknight dinner has all of the cheesy, tomato-filled goodness of our favorite take-out pizza, neatly packaged in a 13"-by-9" pan.
Get the Pizza Casserole recipe.
Spanakopita Stuffed Shells
It's always a thrill when you can take two mainstays of different cuisines and mash them up into something wholly unique and delicious. After you try this, you'll realize that spanakopita and stuffed shells were always meant to be.
Get the Spanakopita Stuffed Shells recipe.
Esquites Corn Chowder
Esquites is the iconic Mexican street food made from corn kernels, mayo, lime, and chili powder. This soup combines the street food with corn chowder—the quintessential New England comfort food with loads of sweet corn, bacon, and potato. The warm, creamy soup and the cool, sweet, acidic esquites combine in one bowl to create an insanely good contrast of texture, temperature, and flavor.
Get the Esquites Corn Chowder recipe.
Pastelón
Akin to a Puerto Rican lasagna, pastelón layers up crispy fried sweet plantains with melty mozzarella cheese and picadillo, a mix of ground beef, tomatoes, sofrito, herbs, briny olives, and a pop of sweetness from raisins. It takes a bit to prepare all the elements, but it’s worth it for this sweet and savory dish you can easily serve to a crowd.
Get the Pastelón recipe.
Halloumi Salad
We think it's due time that halloumi, the brined Cypriot cheese, got its time in the spotlight. Besides the delightfully squeaky texture (where the cheese curd lovers at?) and the tangy, salty flavor, the high melting point is really what makes this cheese stand out—when heat is applied, it develops a delicious golden crust that is so delightful in this salad.
Get the Halloumi Salad recipe.
Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Extra-crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, these tacos are so much fun to make and eat. Putting cheese directly in your skillet might sound wrong, but it works! Once off-heat, the cheese starts to harden and crisps up, giving the texture of a crunchy taco shell, but super-delicious.
Get the Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos recipe.
Cheesy Shrimp And Grits
There's a lot of richness going on here. Bacon! Butter! Cheese! To cut all the fat, you need some acid. Enter freshly squeezed lemon juice. It'll brighten your bowl up BIG TIME. Hot tip: Add lemon before salting to taste at the end.
Get the Cheesy Shrimp And Grits recipe.
Pastitsio
Derived from the Italian word pasticcio, which means “mix” or “hodgepodge,” pastitsio is a classic Greek casserole best described as a cross between lasagna and moussaka. Rich and hearty, creamy and comforting, it’s well worth the extra effort it takes to put together.
Get the Pastitsio recipe.
Dill & Cheddar Pierogi
When you're looking for something warm, comforting, and carb-y, do Polish pierogi come to mind? We think they should, and this cheesy dill version certainly satisfies on all fronts. Loaded with sharp white cheddar, sweet caramelized onions, and creamy mashed potatoes, the only thing more gratifying than making them from scratch is stuffing them in your mouth. ??
Get the Dill & Cheddar Pierogi recipe.
Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e pepe literally translates to “cheese and pepper." These two ingredients are usually thought of as small components to a dish, but in this pasta recipe, they take center stage. The fruity bite of freshly ground pepper adds complexity, and is earthy, sweet, and spicy all at once.
Get the Cacio e Pepe recipe.
Grilled Halloumi
The things you could top grilled halloumi with are endless, but a light drizzle of honey and fresh thyme leaves that get warmed ever so slightly by the toasty cheese are an excellent choice. If you want to stay close to the cheese's geographic origins, serve with Mediterranean chickpea salad, Greek lemon potatoes, and roast lamb.
Get the Grilled Halloumi recipe.
Turkey Feta Meatballs
These turkey feta meatballs are easy to make and can be served any way you like. We like these atop our lemon-yogurt spread, but feel free to get creative—meatball subs, spaghetti & meatballs, whatever you like.
Get the Turkey Feta Meatballs recipe.
Broccoli Cheddar Pasta
The broccoli is in no way hidden, but it's still a great way to sneak in an extra serving of greens to this grown-up mac and cheese. Even the pickiest of eaters will eat their vegetables if they are coated in cheese.
Get the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta recipe.
Best-Ever Juicy Lucy
When it comes to the Juicy Lucy, it's all about the cheese. The burger is the ultimate cheeseburger with the cheese on the INSIDE of the patty. Originating in Minnesota, it's a standout from all other burgers and extremely easy to make your own.
Get the Best-Ever Juicy Lucy recipe.
Lolita's Mac & Cheese
Along with their creamy kale salad, Lolita’s stunning and decadent- mac & cheese is another recipe we had to get our hands on. Its hard-to-put-the-fork-down irresistibility is based on a few factors, namely four different cheeses; cream; and caramelized garlic and onion.
Get the Lolita's Mac & Cheese recipe.
Creamy Tomato Pasta With Burrata
A classic tomato sauce is made even better with a bit of cream and a delicious topping of burrata. The cherry tomatoes add a bit of sweetness to the sauce and make it feel fresher. It tastes too good to be as easy as it is, and that’s just what we want for a weeknight pasta dinner.
Get the Creamy Tomato Pasta With Burrata.
Fried Goat Cheese Salad
A quick pan-fry makes creamy goat cheese a fun, super-crunchy salad topper. It’s a creative take on croutons and makes a simple salad so much more exciting. These are also great on their own and would be delicious on a cheese board with a little drizzle of honey.
Get the Fried Goat Cheese Salad recipe.
Butternut Squash Mac 'N' Cheese
Butternut squash goes undercover in this creamy, cheesy sauce that has both cheddar and goat cheese. Soft, sweet, and conveniently orange, the squash adds body and richness to a dish we didn’t think we could love any more: mac & cheese.
Get the Butternut Squash Mac 'N' Cheese recipe.
Sheet Pan Spanakopita Quesadillas
This innovative recipe combines the savory spinach filling from classic Greek spanakopita and the format and toppings of a great quesadilla. You'll skip spanakopita's standard phyllo dough wrapper and instead use tortillas to make a large-scale quesadilla that bakes in the oven (rather than on the stovetop). It's a great fast dinner for a crowd this fall.
Get the Sheet Pan Spanakopita Quesadillas recipe.
Sheet-Pan Green Chile Chicken Nachos
What’s better than a tray of cheesy chicken nachos? Four-cheese chicken nachos! Don’t worry, though, a couple cans of chopped green chiles cut the richness of all that cheese. (Not that we’re complaining.) We’ll leave the toppings up to you, but we suggest The Works, aka red onion, radishes, avocado, jalape?o, cilantro, and hot sauce.
Get the Sheet-Pan Green Chile Chicken Nachos recipe.
Gazpacho With Burrata
Creamy burrata on top of a tomato and basil gazpacho is the most refreshing no-cook summer meal we can imagine. Some gazpacho has bread in it for added texture, but for this version, we liked the idea of serving toasted bread alongside to dip into the soup and spread the burrata on.
Get the Gazpacho With Burrata recipe.
Carbonara Pizza
If you can't get enough of Rome's famous spaghetti carbonara, then we have a sneaking suspicion you'll love this extra-cheesy pizza version. Keep it simple with a side of peppery arugula dressed with olive oil and lemon juice to cut the richness of the pie!
Get the Carbonara Pizza recipe.
Ricotta Gnudi
Making gnudi, or Italian ricotta dumplings, only sounds fancy. They're actually an easy pasta dinner anyone can pull off. If you love gnocchi as much as we do, you'll likely love these too. The only real difference? Gnocchi is made with potato and gnudi is made with ricotta, which makes them even more tender, light, and plump.
Get the Ricotta Gnudi recipe.
Creamy Parm Tomato Soup
This easy tomato soup is perfect for those chilly fall evenings when you want something a bit more filling (and what better solution than adding pasta?). If you prefer a heartier greens, kale or broccoli rabe can be added 5 minutes after the tortellini!
Get the Creamy Parm Tomato Soup recipe.
Burrata Salad
Think of burrata salad as Caprese salad'sfancy cousin. Peak-summer tomatoes are topped with this luscious cheese (think: a shell of mozzarella filled with a soft, creamy filling) and garnished with a shower of peppery basil leaves and savory chives. ??
Get the Burrata Salad recipe.
Instant Pot Street Corn Queso
Everyone loves a good queso dip. We love this Mexican street corn variety—it's got crunch, spice, and even MORE cheese as garnish. How could you go wrong?
Get the Instant Pot Street Corn Queso recipe.
Classic Cheese Soufflé
At once light-as-air and lavishly decadent, a classic cheese soufflé is hard not to love. The ingredients may be simple but the impact is anything but; piping hot out of the oven, these soufflés are sky-high, golden-brown, and filled with cheesy, custardy goodness. We go for individual-sized ramekins because they give us more surface area for a flavorful browned crust on the bottom and sides of the soufflé, but a larger baking dish will do the job too.
Get the Classic Cheese Soufflé recipe.
Garlicky Feta Eggplant Pasta
This simple summery pasta has it all: tender, garlicky morsels of eggplant, a cheesy panko topping, tangy, salty feta, and lots of fresh basil. Just add your favorite pasta and you've got dinner!
Get the Garlicky Feta Eggplant Pasta recipe.
Lasagna Soup
With its sheets of wavy pasta, dollops of Parmesan-enriched ricotta cheese, and chunks of golden brown Italian sausage, this soup is hard to beat. Yeah, it's pretty hard to compete with a steaming bowl of soup that contains all the best parts of classic baked lasagna.
Get the Lasagna Soup recipe.
Cheese Puffs (Gougères)
These cheese puffs (aka gougères) are a triple threat: easy to make, impressive looking, and insanely delicious. And the good news is, you probably already have most (or all) of the ingredients! Any hard cheese can be swapped out for the Gruyère, and there's no limit to the combinations of chopped herbs, dry spices, and other flavorings to experiment with, too.
Get the Cheese Puffs (Gougères) recipe.
Baked Feta Soup
The original baked feta pasta took the world (and Delish) by storm. Think of this version as a bright, slightly feta-y vodka sauce–we definitely can’t complain about that! Top it with some fresh herbs, more feta, and a few freshly made croutons for the best tomato soup ever.
Get the Baked Feta Soup recipe.
Cheesy Mushroom Toast
With this savory mushroom and white bean mixture on hand, a flavorful and satisfying meal can be yours in minutes. Inspired by the flavors in a classic Beef Wellington, the oyster mushrooms are cooked duxelles-style, and paired with tangy dijon mustard. White beans add some hardiness, melty Swiss brings irresistible creaminess, and quick-pickled red onions perk up all the earthy, rich flavors.
Get the Cheesy Mushroom Toast recipe.
Lemon Ricotta Pasta
This is the perfect summertime dish. It's fresh and light, and it instantly had us in love. If you can't find fat bucatini, use any long pasta like spaghetti or linguine instead!
Get the Lemon Ricotta Pasta recipe.
Cheesy Corn Poppers
The contrast of sweet juicy corn, salty Parmesan, and bright green onions is pretty unbeatable. Hot tip: Don't fry these all at once. The poppers will absorb more oil and taste greasy. For best results, cook them in batches.
Get the Cheesy Corn Poppers recipe.
Baked Risotto with Lemon, Peas & Parmesan
If you’ve never made risotto because you didn’t want to stand at the stove stirring forever, then this recipe is for you. It packs all the satisfying flavor of the slow-stirred version, but comes together in a fraction of the time.
Get the Baked Risotto with Lemon, Peas & Parmesan recipe.
Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta
This pasta—with roasted butternut squash, crispy sage, creamy gorgonzola, and toasted walnuts—SCREAMS fall. Want to add protein? We think this would be amazing with pancetta or bacon too.
Get the Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta recipe.
Homemade Ricotta
This creamy, rich ricotta is a revelation when eaten warm, fresh from the pot. While store-bought is great in a pinch, this stuff certainly has it beat.
Get the Homemade Ricotta recipe.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Perfect on an autumn night yet crave-able year round, this soup is an American classic, synonymous with warmth and comfort.
Get the Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe.
Baked Feta Eggs
Remember that baked feta pasta a laTikTok that took the world by storm? Well, now you can have it for breakfast (or breakfast-for-dinner). Introducing: feta baked eggs. There's no pasta involved, but white beans add a hearty creaminess, and a side of crusty bread or pita is highly encouraged.
Get the Baked Feta Eggs recipe.
Greek Feta Dip
Loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta, this dip was inspired by Greek salad. (Though it's missing the olives, onion, and oregano.) For a smoother, fluffy consistency, we added yogurt and cream cheese. Full disclaimer: This recipe makes a lot of dip and can easily be halved. But we've never had a problem demolishing it with some fluffy pita bread.
Get the Greek Feta Dip recipe.
It couldn't be easier to be cheesier. With these wildly cheesy mozzarella, brie, cheddar, and feta-packed recipes, you'll be in cheese heaven in no time.