Recipe Roundup

31 Cheddar Cheese Recipes We Love

Like cheddar-walnut scones, a cheesy mushroom frittata, and caramel-cheddar popcorn (yes).
A stack of tuna melt sandwiches with oozing cheddar cheese and pickled onions on a plate for our best tuna melt recipe.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton

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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, or mashed potatoes. 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.

  • A person selecting a gougere from a platter.
    Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    1/31

    Cheddar and Herb Gougères

    A generous sprinkle of black pepper, combined with chopped herbs, scallions (or chives), and whole-grain mustard, really makes this cheddar cheese recipe pop.

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  • Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    2/31

    Apple 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.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
    3/31

    Cheesy 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.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou
    4/31

    Kue Keju

    These buttery shortbread-like cookies are reminiscent of a cheese twist, Indonesian style. Serve them with a cup of tea or coffee for a pretty fantastic mid-afternoon snack.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
    5/31

    Five-Cheese Pimento Cheese

    This stellar version of the Southern staple includes sharp and mild cheddar, Parmesan, pepper Jack, and cream cheese. Use it as a dip or as the filling for a seriously good grilled cheese sandwich.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert
    6/31

    Cheesy 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.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele
    7/31

    Queso

    There’s no better way to kick off taco night than with a big bowl of queso dip and plenty of chips. Or just drizzle this real cheese version right over the tacos themselves.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
    8/31

    Our Favorite Mac and Cheese

    What makes this our favorite macaroni and cheese? Tons of aged cheddar, Parmesan, and a crunchy, crispy topping of garlic breadcrumbs.

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  • Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh
    9/31

    Twice-Baked Potatoes With Cheddar and Garlic

    Do future you a favor and make a double batch of these cheesy twice-baked potatoes. They’re a great side dish for dinner, of course, but they also make a satisfying breakfast or lunch when reheated the next day.

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  • Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell
    10/31

    Chakalaka 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.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
    11/31

    Apple-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.

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  • Photo by David Loftus
    12/31

    Bombay 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.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    13/31

    Tomato-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.

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  • Photo by Heami Lee, Food Styling by Victoria Granof, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka
    14/31

    Classic Cheese Ball

    A little hot sauce gives this retro sharp cheddar cheese appetizer just the right amount of kick, though you could also add a few pinches of cayenne.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
    15/31

    Rumbledethumps

    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.

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  • Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Tiffany Schleigh
    16/31

    Chicago-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.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    17/31

    Nutella Grilled Cheese

    This sweet and salty sandwich is poised to wow anyone who dares take a bite. Tangy cheddar complements the fruity and nutty notes of the chocolate-hazelnut spread; combined, they transform into the creamiest, most decadent grilled cheese imaginable.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Katherine Sacks
    18/31

    Tomato-Cheddar Pie

    Use your very best summer tomatoes in this savory Southern pie, best enjoyed cut into thick slices and served at room temperature.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou
    19/31

    Cheesy 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.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton
    20/31

    Tuna Melt

    To evenly melt the cheese on a tuna melt, treat it like an open-face sandwich: Place the bread in the skillet, top it with cheddar slices, and cover the pan with a lid or a baking sheet. The trapped steam will soften the cheese, allowing it to collapse into every nook and cranny.

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  • Alex Lau
    23/31

    Cheddar–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.

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  • Photograph by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell
    24/31

    Mapo Chili Mac

    This spicy, funky, cheesy mac and cheese variant is what happens when you combine fiery mapo tofu with meaty Midwestern chili mac.

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  • Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Taneka Morris, prop styling by Tim Ferro
    25/31

    One-Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese

    Meet broccoli-cheese soup in macaroni-and-cheese form. It comes together in one pot, features cheddar and Monterey Jack (though Gruyère or mozzarella would also be great here), and serves a boatload.

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  • Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Ines Anguiano
    26/31

    Cornbread 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.

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  • Photo by Kelsey Foster
    27/31

    Bacon Mac ’n’ Cheese Jalapeño Bites

    Elbow macaroni tossed in a quick cheddar cheese sauce lends heft to these jalapeño poppers and makes it all too easy to eat more than a handful.

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  • Photograph by Chris Simpson, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker
    28/31

    Pumpkin 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.

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Sheela Prakash is a food and wine writer and recipe developer, as well as a registered dietitian. A longtime editor at Kitchn, she has also been on staff at Epicurious and Food52. Her writing and recipes can be found in numerous online and print publications, including Serious Eats, Tasting Table, ... Read more
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