We are firm believers that cheese is the best food ever. Yes, even better than bacon. Grilled cheese sandwiches and instant mac and cheese got you through childhood and college, and they’ll get you through the rest of life, because you just can’t go wrong with that ooey goeey goodness. Check out the 53 recipes below for some cheese-spiration.
1. Gluten-Free Cheese Bread: These little buns of goodness are a common snack all over the country of Brazil. And not only are they oozing with cheese, but the base of tapioca flour makes them gooey, chewy and gluten-free for anyone with an allergy or intolerance. (Photo via Alina Polishuk)
2. Egg and Cheese Bread Bowl: This is the perfect hangover brunch. It’s chock-full of all the goodies you need to kick start your day. Plus it’s all edible, so there’s no dish washing necessary. And if that wasn’t good enough, you can customize it using broccoli, mushrooms, bacon, spinach or any other classic omelette filling. (Photo via Elyse Belarge)
3. Ram ‘n’ Cheese: First there was ramen, the stereotypical college food staple. Then there was mac and cheese, the childhood guilty pleasure and go-to dinner for babysitters everywhere. Combine the two, and voila! You have the ultimate comfort food. (Photo via Caroline Liu)
4. French Onion Soup Grilled Cheese: This grilled cheese slash French onion soup beats both of the originals. And the combo of the sweet and rich caramelized onions with the nutty gruyere is pure perfection. (Photo via Amanda Shulman)
5. Mac ‘n’ Cheese in a Mug: This recipe combines the convenience of Easy Mac with the magic of fresh cheese. It’s a solid, healthier substitute that takes just three ingredients, a coffee mug and a microwave. Trust that you’ll never need Easy Mac again. (Photo by Alex Weiner)
6. Cheese-Encrusted Grilled Cheese: Don’t settle for a sandwich with cheese merely inside the bread. Instead, get a little crazy and cover the outside of your bread in some good ol’ cheddar to maximize that glorious cheesy crunch. (Photo via Kylie Kinder)
7. Cheese Straws: These cheese straws are buttery, crisp and just a little spicy with a rich cheddar flavor. And they’re great for a party snack or just some casual munching. You’d better make a lot ’cause they run out fast. (Photo via Christina Cala)
8. Bacon and Cheese Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes: Amp up your breakfast game while getting rid of leftovers with this delish dish. It’s especially great for those couple of days after Thanksgiving when you just don’t know what to do with all the mashed potatoes. (Photo via Carrie Eager)
9. Caprese Grilled Cheese: We all know grilled cheese can get a little boring day in and day out. But this Caprese sandwich amps up your regular old grilled cheese and will make you have a whole new love for these sandwiches. (Photo via Gabby Phi)
10. Gluten-Free Burrata Jalapeño Poppers: Burrata (a creamier, practically bathe-able Mozzarella) is used in this gluten-free, jalapeño pesto-stuffed, asiago-crusted, deep-fried cheese ball. Betcha can’t have just one. (Photo via FoodBeast)
11. Bacon Guacamole Grilled Cheese: Guac and bacon are two of the best things ever invented. And when you combine them between two pieces of buttery bread, you will never turn back. (Photo via Gabby Phi)
12. Bacon Mashed Potato Cheese Bombs: This bomb full of cheesy, greasy, bacon-y, potato-y goodness is one that your taste buds will be forever grateful for. They’re the ultimate game-day appetizer. (Photo via Amy Erikson)
13. Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese: Apples and cheese seem like a weird duo, but they actually go really well together. Add some bread and you’ve got yourself a somewhat savory, somewhat sweet and super good lunch. (Photo via Emily Bloch)
14. Cheese Fondue: Gooey cheese on almost anything makes it at least 10 times better. And what better way to get there than with fondue? You can dunk anything in this cheese to make it better (bread, tomatoes, mushrooms and even ramen). (Photo via Parisa Soraya)
15. Puff Pastry-Wrapped Baked Brie: This classic appetizer somehow manages to sound fancy and delicious while remaining fairly simple to make. With just five ingredients, you can jazz up a boring platter of cheese and crackers and create a dish that overshadows even the tastiest of desserts. Pop it in the oven and grab some crackers for this party-ready starter. (Photo via Alison Weissbrot)
16. Rotini Bake: Pasta with a few veggies covered in baked-on cheese is basically a dream come true. It’s super easy to whip up and is just the dish you need to impress your guests. (Photo via Sophie Maschinot)
17. Three-Egg Omelet: This easy and healthy kickstart breakfast finishes up the ingredients from the Rotini bake and saves you money and time. Booyah. (Photo via Sophie Maschinot)
18. Apple, Goat Cheese and Honey Quesadilla: A little tart, a little creamy, a little sweet — not usually the adjectives used to describe a quesadilla. Until now. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, this treat suits any time of the day. (Photo via Danny Schuleman)
19. Pizza Mac and Cheese: If you’re not sure whether you’re craving pizza or macaroni and cheese, compromise by making this heaven in a bowl. Now you can finally have the best of both worlds. (Photo via Tiare Brown)
20. Bacon and Leek Quiche: Quiche isn’t just for elegant brunch parties anymore. You overachievers out there can even make your own pie crust to really up your game. (Photo via Veronique Huynh)
21. Grilled Macaroni and Cheese: Take your grilled cheese up a notch by stuffing it with extra cheese… and pasta. Your friends will think you’re a miracle worker. (Photo via Lauren Thiersch)
22. Fried Cheese Sandwich With Garlicky Herb and Lemon Mayo: This delicious sandwich is commonly sold by street carts in Prague, and it’s a cultural staple. You now can have savory, crunchy, decadent food, all from the comfort of your own home. What could be better than that? (Photo via Heather Harris)
23. Loaded Potato Soup: This hearty, creamy and savory soup is perfect for all you cheese lovers. It is sure to satisfy any hunger pains with its genius mix of potatoes, cream and bacon. Side note: You’d never guess that this warm-your-bones dish comes from a can of store-bought soup and can be prepared in under 20 minutes. (Photo via Christine Chen)
24. Sweet Grilled Cheese: This roasted strawberry, dark chocolate and brie grilled cheese sandwich is a sweet upgrade from its more savory counterpart. Call this lunch or dessert (or call us crazy). We won’t judge, ’cause we all know cheese + chocolate is match made in foodie heaven. (Photo via Lucy Rubin)
25. Tomato, Onion and Arugula Sandwich: Looking to up your grilled cheese game? Add a couple slices of tomato and onion and a handful of arugula for a little extra flavor. All that yummy color and those grilled grooves on the bread will have you saying “Mmmmmm.” (Photo via Kirby Barth)
26. Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies: Whether you’re craving something with chocolate or something with cream cheese frosting, these brownies will be right up your alley. Who knew you could eat cheese for dessert? (Photo via Samantha Cheng)
27. Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich With Tomato Soup: Nothing’s better than sinking your teeth into warm, melted cheese and toasted, crunchy bread and washing it down with some hot tomato-y goodness. You really can’t go wrong with a little pesto for that extra bit of flavor. And whether you like to dip or dunk, it’s hard not to gobble up this sophisticated version of your favorite childhood sandy. (Photo via Elyse Belarge)
28. Cannolis: Have no fear. Cannolis can be made in dorm room kitchens with just six simple ingredients. And for those of you who’ve never had a cannoli before, it’s basically a flaky, fried hollow shell with a sweet, creamy filling that’s oh-so decadent. (Photo via Haley Durham)
29. Parmesan Ramen: We’ve all eaten way too much ramen for our own good, so it might be time to shake things up a bit. This ramen recipe incorporates a little cheese for when you just can’t stand that chicken flavor anymore. (Photo via Meredith Marcus)
30. Bacon Cheese Scones: Scones are versatile little pastries. They can be made sweet or savory and can act as fancy dinner party desserts or a midweek snack. They are also quite filling, so when you’re in a morning hurry, just scone ‘n’ go. (Photo via Mira Nguyen)
31. The Best Mac and Cheese: Look at that gooey, stretchy cheese and those golden brown, cheese-encrusted noodles. This recipe makes just that — a creamy, almost-too-cheesy mac, with a crispy golden top that will satisfy everyone’s taste buds. (Photo via Amanda Shulman)
32. Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Risotto: Risotto is one of the most popular ways of cooking rice in Italy, but you don’t have to go all the way there to whip up this dish. And did we mention that this is a one-pot meal? (Photo via Vedika Luthra)
33. Huevos Rancheros: This vegetarian version of huevos rancheros is so good it makes both the chef and the diners happy. It’s really easy to make, even though it looks kinda fancy. You can even find all the ingredients at Trader Joe’s, and it pairs perfectly with a glass of sangria. (Photo via Gabby Phi)
34. Cheddar Broccoli Ramen: It’s time to make ramen taste like it costs more than 10 cents. This two-ingredient recipe is too easy for words, and the broccoli adds the necessary substance and nutrients. (Photo via Caitlin Wolper)
35. South American Cheese Wontons: This twist on wontons will be one of the best things you’ve ever tasted. When you scarf down a plate full of ’em, you’ll be saying “I wont-a-ton of these.” (Photo via Aurelie Corinthios)
36. Potato Chip Grilled Cheese: You spent your childhood eating sandwiches with chips on the side for lunch, but now that you’ve grown up, it’s time to take this classic meal to a whole new, crunchy level. (Photo via Kirby Barth)
37. Burrito Bowl: No need to waste money at Chipotle when you can very well make your own burrito in the comfort of your own home. You can even skip the tortilla and make a burrito bowl and add in a little extra of all of your favorite toppings. (Photo via Kirby Barth)
38. Ruby Wrap: This wrap is great for those days when you don’t have time to prepare an entire meal and need something on the go. And of course, it’s always better with cheese inside. (Photo via Kirby Barth)
39. Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese: This recipe transforms everyone’s favorite party dip into a sandwich. The buttery, toasted exterior and gooey interior alongside the fresh veggie taste is something we all know, love and want right now. (Photos via Tess Wei)
40. Shrimp Nachos: This match made in snack heaven gives you a little extra protein in your classic cheesy nachos. We’re now convinced that shrimp is the secret ingredient to the best nachos ever. (Photo via Katherine Richter)
41. The Pizza-nini: This single serving of pizza deliciousness is great for when you’re too lazy to actually make dinner. Feel free to throw in a bunch of veggies to make a greasy pizza-like dish into something a little more healthy. (Photo via Tarika Narain)
42. Sweet Potato and Brie Empanadas: If you’re a fan of various types of small, filled-dough dishes, then you’ll definitely be a fan of this sweet ‘n’ salty one. Pro Tip: Be sure to bake a big batch so you can enjoy them throughout the week — that is, if you don’t eat ’em all in one sitting. (Photo via Julia McKellar)
43. Red Pepper and Pesto Grilled Cheese: Say goodbye to Kraft singles and get a little more fancy with some mozzarella, red peppers and pesto. You can step it up even more with a li’l Sriracha mayo too. (Photo via Libby Perold)
44. Goat Cheese and Arugula Pesto Pizza: Pizza has a bad rep cause of all the carbs and grease, but this healthy version is just as easy to make and — dare we say — more delicious ’cause it’s homemade. Trust us, you won’t want to miss out on this one. (Photo via Marci Green)
45. Chili Mac: If you’re tired of the fake taste of boxed mac and cheese and you’re not a fan of canned chili, it’s time to make your own with a Tex-Mex twist. This will become your new all-time favorite comfort food. (Photo via Dan Torres)
46. Cheesy Jalapeño Bread in a Rice Cooker: Rice cookers aren’t just for rice anymore. Nope. Believe it or not, this little doohickey can make bread. Try out this jalapeño recipe that’s both devilishly spicy and cheesy. (Photo via Abby Wang)
47. Pizza Rolls: You can make your own pizza rolls for a cheaper, tastier and more impressive treat that’s nostalgic and nutritious. And if you’re feeling lazy, you can also make these in big batches and freeze ’em, and then microwave a few whenever you are craving some cheesy goodness. (Photo via Benjamin Martin)
48. Cream Cheese French Toast With “Caramelized” Bananas: This is like a souped-up version of Bananas Foster that combines a thick and rich cream cheese with “caramelized” bananas. It will truly be a decadent start to your day. (Photo via Irene Kim)
49. Bacon-Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese and Rosemary: The combination of crisp, smokey bacon and sweet dates might not sound like your typical crowd-pleaser, but trust us on this one. Feel free to swap out the ingredients to make it suitable for vegetarians or bacon lovers. You can even get creative by stuffing the dates with almonds, ricotta or Parmesan cheese. (Photo via Maya Krasnow)
50. Cheesy Broccoli Spaghetti Squash Boats: There’s just something about cheesy broccoli pasta that is extremely comforting. And by swapping traditional enriched pasta for good ol’ spaghetti squash (we promise you won’t taste the difference) and skimming down just a touch on the cheese, this meal becomes much healthier but still has the same comforting taste. (Photo via Shruti Thundiyil)
51. Five-Ingredient Baked Pizza Dip: Rather than ordering a handful of pizza pies for your next party, you can impress your guests with this pizza in dip form. This recipe can also be adapted to use whichever toppings you prefer. (Photo via Kelly Logan)
52. Garlic and Herb Cheese Bombs: Cheese and carbs are the ultimate duo. So surprise guests with your magnificent, newly acquired cooking skills and make them wonder how you made this deliciousness (Hint: It’s mostly the cheese hidden in the bread and pre-made biscuits). (Photo via Natalie Choy)
53. Homemade Cheese: What better way to eat cheese than by itself? For all the vegans out there, you can make this cheese with whatever type of milk you choose (though cow’s milk is strongly recommended). (Photo via Stephanie DeVaux)
Have any other cheese recipes? Let us know in the comments below!
