Cheese. It’s easily the best food in the galaxy ( I mean, the moon is made of it after all.) So it only makes sense that there’s a day - Jan. 20, to be exact — that not only honors this creamy fare, but celebrates the people who truly love cheese. Yup. I’m talking about National Cheese Lover’s Day. And it you’re a card-carrying member of the I <3 Cheese Club, then you should whip up one (or all) of these damn delicious cheesy recipes.
When you think about it, there are a million reasons to love cheese. It can be incorporated into a dish, or stand alone for day when you don’t feel like cooking. It can combine with macaroni to create a comforting winter dish. It can be paired with wine a crackers for a fancy night with friends. It comes in hundreds of varieties, and can be made vegan or dairy-free to fit your dietary needs. And, if we’re being honest, people who love cheese are kind of the best.
Whether you're a fan of melting Velveeta to dip chips into or you prefer buying the most expensive and smelliest wedge of cheese to indulge in with a glass of wine, these 21 cheesy recipes will fulfill your cheese porn dreams and give you a great way to celebrate National Cheese Lover’s Day every day of the year.
1Four Cheese Caprese Mac And Cheese
You just can't go wrong with mac and cheese and Half Baked Harvest seems to agree by bringing this four cheese Caprese mac and cheese recipe to life. It may look fancy, but it still has all the qualities of a simple, traditional mac and cheese dish — it's just upgraded with all four of those cheeses.
2Fried Cheesy Jalapeno Poppers
Fried jalapeños filled with lots of gooey cheese? Yum. A Cozy Kitchen's fried cheesy jalapeño poppers from need to make your appetizer list immediately.
3Cheesy Lasagna Calzones
Just look at all of that cheese stretching out of those calzones. These cheesy lasagna calzones from Cooking for Keeps are the ultimate comfort food, and I want a dozen in front of me right now.
4Easy Cheesy Chili Dip
I full believe that dips count as meals, especially this easy cheesy chili dip from Averie Cooks. Super easy and simple, but goodness, look at all that cheese. So yum.
5Irish Beer Cheese Fondue
Is there anything that constitutes as cheese porn more than cheese fondue? From The Merrythought, this Irish beer cheese fondue is ridiculously amazing and makes me want to lick my computer screen. Plus, you can make a whole meal out of fondue — a whole meal out of dipping things in cheese!
6Pesto Egg, Ham, And Cheesy Bread Bowl
A delicious, hot breakfast that's also loaded with tons of cheese? Yes please. The Little Epicurean has created these pesto eggs, ham, and cheesy bread bowls, but you're the one who needs to make them every brunch for the rest of your life.
7Hot Cheesy Shrimp Dip
Another hearty dip, this hot cheesy shrimp dip from Willow Bird Baking is totally irresistible. I mean, the recipe calls for "heaping" measurements of cheese. What more could you want?
8Chicken Bacon Ranch Gnocchi Bake
Pasta and casseroles are always a great dinner choice, but when they're literally loaded with cheese, they're even better. This chicken bacon ranch gnocchi bake from What's Cooking, Love? is so decadent and easy, you'll want to make it all the time.
9Parmesan And Spinach Orzo
Just look at all that melted cheese! This parmesan and spinach orzo recipe from Table for Two is a perfect weeknight meal and will definitely satisfy all the hungry bellies at the table.
10Cheesy Rice Balls
A classic Italian dish known as arancini, these cheesy rice balls from Natasha's Kitchen are perfect for a hearty appetizer.
11Cheesy Broccoli, Kale, And Carrot Soup
Can I just dunk my head in this cheesy broccoli, kale, and carrot soup from Good Life Eats? Seriously, look at that bowl of goodness.
12Cheesy Mexican Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are all the rage now because of how versatile they can be, but you should definitely give A Pretty Life's cheesy Mexican stuffed peppers a try. All of that golden, melted goodness on top of the peppers looks amazing, right?
13Slow Cooker Cheesy Beer And Potato Soup
Cheese, beer, potatoes? Yup. Baked By Rachel has this incredible slow cooker cheesy beer and potato soup to make all of your comfort food dreams come true.
14Brie And Blueberry Waffle Grilled Cheese
Here's a dish to up your brunch game. Damn Delicious has created a brie and blueberry waffle grilled cheese that includes gooey, melted brie mixed in with blueberry compote and sandwiched between two perfect waffles. Literally, my mouth is watering.
15Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole
This cheesy spaghetti squash casserole from Back to Her Roots is a creamy, baked dish that looks absolutely delicious. And hey, you can tell yourself it's healthy with the spaghetti squash instead of noodles.
16Crab Rangoon Grilled Cheese
Need a cheesy showstopper? Then you want to make this crab rangoon grilled cheese from i am a food blog. Your favorite Asian appetizer made into a gooey grilled cheese sandwich is all you've ever wanted.
17Raspberry And Chocolate With Almonds Grilled Cheese
Yep, we're going there. This raspberry and chocolate with almonds grilled cheese from foodiecrush is a total mic drop of grilled cheese recipes. I don't even know what else to say except I want this sandwich and I want it now.
18Cream Cheese Sausage Baked Ziti
Baked pasta dishes are always a winner and cream cheese always seems to complement them perfectly. From Domestic Fits, this cream cheese sausage baked ziti looks delicious enough for dinner and all the leftovers.
19Skillet Mac And Cheese
Because you can always use another mac and cheese recipe, right? Jelly Toast has this yummy skillet mac and cheese dish that has all the traditions of your favorite blue box, but tastes even better.
20Cheesy Potato Au Gratin
Another from Half Baked Harvest, this cheesy potato au gratin may count as a side dish, but I'd just eat it straight out of the pan for dinner. With Ritz crackers as a topping and all that yummy cheesy, it's a carb lover's dream.
21Cheesy White Bean Dip
This cheesy white bean dip from Big Girls Small Kitchen is basically a big ol' bowl of cheese for you to call a dip. And I am more than OK with that.
Images: Courtesy of What's Cooking, Love?; Half Baked Harvest; A Cozy Kitchen; Cooking for Keeps; Averie Cooks; The Merrythought; The Little Epicurean; Willow Bird Baking; What's Cooking, Love?; Table for Two; Natasha's Kitchen; Good Life Eats; A Pretty Life; Baked by Rachel; Damn Delicious; Back to Her Roots; i am a food blog; foodiecrush; Domestic Fits; Jelly Toast; Half Baked Harvest; Big Girls Small Kitchen
