31 Cheddar Cheese Recipes We Love
Sharp, savory cheddar cheese is nearly endless in its applications. You can grate and sprinkle it over a baked potato with sour cream or mix it into a quiche, gratin, mashed potatoes, or a loaf of cheddar jalapeño bread. You could even make a cheddar-heavy fondue, but that’s only the start. Our best cheddar cheese recipes show off its staying power. Including salty-sweet scones, spicy mac-and-cheese, and a host of other melty tangy recipes that showcase the many characteristics of cheddar cheese, here are a few great ideas to use the whole block.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich2/31Apple Pie With Cheesy Cheddar Crust
Sharp cheddar cheese lends a salty undertone to buttery pie crust that compliments sweet, cinnamon-spiced apple pie filling in a way vanilla ice cream never could.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Anna Hampton3/31Cheesy Potato Soup With Bacon
This rib-sticking soup has extra staying power thanks to a whole half-pound of sharp cheddar cheese stirred into it. To make it fully loaded, set out bowls of toppings like chives, roasted broccoli, and sour cream.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert6/31Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
This crisp-on-the-outside, soft-and-cheesy-on-the-inside potato casserole can easily be made gluten-free by swapping in gluten-free flour. Make it extra-crispy by mixing in all of the shredded cheddar cheese instead of reserving some for the topping.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh9/31Twice-Baked Potatoes With Cheddar and Garlic
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell10/31Chakalaka and Cheddar Braaibroodjies
This South African grilled cheese is a staple of any braai or barbecue. These are melty thanks to lots of white cheddar and made extra special with a spoonful of spiced vegetable relish called chakalaka.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne11/31Apple-Cheddar Dutch Baby
Tart apples are a good friend to cheddar cheese (particularly smoked or extra sharp cheddar). This extra-thick, extra-hearty Dutch baby would be just as welcome on the brunch table as on the dinner table.
Photo by David Loftus12/31Bombay Rolls
Inspired by the Bombay sandwich, a street food treat piled high with hot green chutney, cheddar, and onion, these puff pastry rolls are way easier to construct and eat.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell13/31Tomato-and-Cheese Cobbler
This savory summertime cobbler topped with the cheesiest cheddar and herb biscuits makes great use of in-season tomatoes. Serve it as a side dish to grilled fish or chicken, or center it on your table as a vegetarian main.
Photo by Heami Lee, Food Styling by Victoria Granof, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka14/31Classic Cheese Ball
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne15/31Rumbledethumps
This Scottish breakfast casserole is a cousin to English bubble and squeak. Its hearty combination of mashed potatoes and cabbage, baked with a cheddar cheese topping, is guaranteed to fuel your day.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Tiffany Schleigh16/31Chicago-Style Caramel-Cheddar Popcorn
Caramel and cheddar may seem destined to clash, but the bittersweet and salty flavors work in perfect harmony in this classic Chicago combination. Cheddar cheese powder is key, as it evenly coats the popcorn in tangy flavor without making a mess.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou19/31Cheesy Samosa Puffs
Cheddar isn’t usually in Indian samosas, but we guarantee you won’t be mad at this baked version, which uses store-bought puff pastry to make things extra easy.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone21/313-Ingredient Microwave Cheese Sauce
Serve this 10-minute velvety-smooth cheddar cheese sauce with chips, fries, or chili dogs, or transform it into a quick take on queso for nachos or quesadillas.
Alex Lau23/31Cheddar–Walnut Scones
A little whole wheat flour leans into the nuttiness of these savory-sweet cheddar scones. For the ultimate pairing, serve them with apple butter.
Photograph by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell24/31Mapo Chili Mac
This spicy, funky, cheesy mac and cheese variant is what happens when you combine fiery mapo tofu with meaty Midwestern chili mac.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Taneka Morris, prop styling by Tim Ferro25/31One-Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Ines Anguiano26/31Cornbread Cheddar Biscuits
When you can’t decide between cornbread and buttermilk biscuits, this recipe, fragrant with fresh sage and heavy on extra-sharp cheddar, lets you have both.
Photograph by Chris Simpson, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker28/31Pumpkin and Cheddar Strata
This make-ahead breakfast casserole, with its craggy, golden-brown top, is as cozy as it sounds. Plus, any leftovers can be warmed in a skillet and served with a fried egg.
Photo by Chelsie Craig29/31Spicy Cheddar Cheese Spread
This creamy, cheesy dip spiced with cayenne and smoked paprika is ideal for both homemade soft pretzels and store-bought crunchy pretzels, as well as crackers and veggies.
Photo by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Haubert, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky30/31Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
Just when you thought there was nothing else we could do to improve a grilled cheese sandwich, we decided to add garlic bread to the equation.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova31/31Broccoli Cheddar Soup With Cheesy Croutons
