Cheesy Desserts

Anyone who loves cheese like I do knows that the cheesy goodness doesn’t have to begin and end at mealtime. There are plenty of delicious ways to incorporate cheese into desserts, and I’ve discovered tons of these of recipes through my years of cheese-o-philia. From the indulgent to the luxurious, there really are endlessly versatile ways to make your dessert a little cheesy. These are some of my favorites.

Apple Cobbler is one of my all time favorite desserts. So, when I found this recipe for Apple, Blackberry, and Sharp White Cheddar Cobbler I basically thought I had stumbled into heaven. I thought, “there’s no way someone could have really combined two of my favorite things into one dessert!”. Well, someone did. The amazing thing about this recipe is that it’s made to serve 10 people, so it’s great to make for a small gathering, or for yourself to throw in the fridge and have for the whole week. The preparation is a little involved but is nothing a recreational baker couldn’t handle (I myself being one), and with a cook time of 10 minutes this is about as hassle free as tasty (and cheesy) dessert gets.

I couldn’t possibly write an article about cheesy desserts and leave out what is perhaps the most iconic of them all: Tiramisu. A disclaimer though, this Tiramisu Custard recipe isn’t exactly the classic Italian recipe, but it sure is delightful. It uses ricotta rather than the usual mascarpone cheese and I think it makes for a really uniquely tasting Tiramisu. And, it’s the perfect luxurious dessert to serve at your dinner parties because it only takes 8 minutes to prepare and no minutes to cook, so you can make it fresh after the meal. Impress your friends with this simple, elegant, and legendary dessert.

I know what you’re thinking: “What’s a post about cheesy desserts without a recipe for cheese cake?” Well, you need ponder no longer. This recipe for Chocolate Chip Cheesecake is one of my favorites, and how could it not be with that type of combination? I will say that I only attempt this recipe when I know I have time and energy to give it the focus it requires. The crust can be tricky, but if you can master this recipe it will almost certainly become one of your favorites. And since a chocolate chip cheesecake has such broad appeal, it’s another great selection for dinner parties.

There's Lots of Ways to Cook with Cheese!

You can never really have enough ways to incorporate cheese into just about every meal of the day.   The good folks at Sargento are well aware of this simple yet essential culinary rule that is innate to us cheese lovers.  Sometimes shredding a little parmesan over your food just doesn’t do it, and so they've compiled enough cheesy recipes to keep your pallet satisfied during mealtime or snack time.  Here’s some of our favorites.

“Cheesy Chicken Casserole”

Who doesn’t like a casserole?  Too few to count.  And when it comes to this chicken broccoli casserole, the number’s got to be fewer.  Take 10 minutes to thrown some chicken, broccoli, sour cream, breadcrumbs and some seasoning in a casserole dish, and top it all off with three (yes, three!) different types of cheddar cheese and in just under an hour you’ll be ready to dive in to a tasty dinner.  The best part: it will serve 8 or hold up well in the fridge for the week’s leftovers.

“Hot Cheesy Crab Dip”

When I was growing up, the nights my mom would make her crab dip were like little gifts from above.  Since she won’t give up her recipe, I’ve found this one from Sargento to be just as authentic.  And something their recipe has that my mom’s didn’t: a little something called shredded pizza cheese.  Topped off over fresh crab meat and enough chilis and hot sauce to keep me on my toes, I love this hot crab dip with tortilla chips as an appetizer, side dish, or late night snack.

“Healthy Pasta Salad Suprema”

There’s no reason that cheese and healthy eating have to be mutually exclusive.  This pasta salad is a super light and healthy snack so it won’t give you that dense cheesy feeling that, while a favorite of mine, can limit one’s options for activity.  The recipe includes tons of highly nutritious and tasty ingredients like bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, olives, garbanzo beans, and artichoke hearts.  And of course it wouldn’t be complete without a topper of shredded mozzarella cheese, just mellow enough to not drown out the rest of the salad.  This dish is definitely one to pack up and take with for lunch at the office…or the beach.

Spaghetti Pie Recipe

If you like to eat spaghetti, but get tired of eating it the same way over and over again, try something new and make spaghetti pie. There are so many different spaghetti pie recipes out there for you. I’m going to list a recipe that has a few different kinds of cheese.  When choosing your cheese to add into the spaghetti, feel free to buy light cheese to save on some calories. This is a relatively easy recipe to use even if you are a novice when it comes to cooking. The only downfall to this recipe is that the prep work can be time consuming. 

The name of this dish is called three cheese spaghetti pie. When you make a dish like this the easiest thing to do is gather everything you will be using and the ingredients you need so that they are easily accessible.

Ingredients

  3/4lb. spaghetti noodles

 9 tablespoons of olive oil

5 garlic cloves quartered

1 sliced onion

4 eggs

1 cup cream

2 teaspoons of salt

1 teaspoon pepper

4 oz. of fontina cheese grated

8 oz. of feta cheese crumbled

8 oz. of parmesan cheese shredded

Follow these directions to have yourself a delicious spaghetti pie dinner which you and your family will enjoy. Before you start to make the wonderful dish preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Cook your spaghetti noodles until they are soft and then drain, put back in the pot, and set aside to use later.  Next you need to heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet and add the garlic and onion. Add salt and pepper; and, when the garlic and onion is cooked remove them from the heat and set them aside to use later. Using a medium sized bowl beat the eggs and the cream, and mix until well blended. Add the salt, pepper, and the different cheeses.   Only add in 4oz. of the parmesan, add in the garlic and onion, and the spaghetti noodles.  In an oven safe skillet, heat up oil and add the spaghetti mixture.   Cook for about 5 minutes and then place in the oven for an additional 30 minutes. When the pie is done remove it from the oven and let it stand for about 10 minutes. You then need to slide a spatula all around the sides and the bottom to help loosen it up. Then take a large dish and place on top of the skillet and flip the skillet and plate over and the spaghetti should slide right out. Take another plate and put it on top of the spaghetti again and flip it again. Then you need to let it stand for another ten minutes. The reason that you had to flip it twice was to help distribute the cheeses evenly throughout the whole pie.  Add the rest of the parmesan to the top of the pie, slice it up and enjoy.

Different Uses for Colby-Jack Cheese

Every cheese has its own unique flavor and texture. Some cheese is smooth, while others may have holes, are bumpy and you will find some cheese that is creamy or has spicy flavor. Colby jack cheese is made up of Colby and Monterey Jack cheese. This cheese is very high in Calcium and is usually high in saturated fat, but you will be able to purchase Colby jack shredded low fat cheese, if you are watching your fat intake.

There are many different ways that you can buy Colby jack cheese. The most popular way is in either a half moon, or full moon chunk. It is sold when the cheese is still moderately young. This way you get a mild flavor, and you’re able to taste both the Colby and Monterey jack cheese. 

When it comes to eating this delectable cheese, you will find that the most popular ways to serve it are:   in a cheese tray, chunked in a salad, in slices on sandwiches, and melted to be put on casserole or in soups. You will also see a lot of use of Colby jack in Mexican dishes because it has a very versatile flavor.

If you have never bought Colby jack cheese you should know what it looks like so you know what you are looking for. Colby jack cheese is shiny with a yellow and white marble look. When you pick up the cheese you will notice that it is a semi hard cheese meaning that it’s solid but when your press your finger to it, it will have some give. Colby jack cheese has a pleasing look and is nice to use in a cheese tray. Almost everyone that enjoys eating cheese will like the taste and texture of Colby jack cheese

When you are looking to buy this cheese look for Sargento brand, the main reason for this is because you will be able to find many Sargento coupons online and in the paper. And with today’s economy everyone is looking for a way to save a few pennies. Sargento is also a very popular brand and you should have no problem finding it in any store near you.

If you are using this cheese in a dish that you are making, you will find that it melts nicely, and when it starts to cool the cheese has a stringy pull to it. The cheese itself has a creamy texture whether it has been melted or not. Colby jack cheese can last for a long period of time as long as your keep it in the refrigerator. Colby jack is also a cheese that can be frozen and you don’t have to worry about the cheese losing its taste.

Different Cheese Recipes

If you love to eat cheese and like meals that are extra cheesy, then keep reading to find out some of the different cheese recipes that you can make that are loaded with cheese. You can even find recipes that you can use string cheese, which if you are calorie conscious, string cheese calories are usually very low. There are recipes out there they are for appetizers, main dishes, and even desserts. Here are some of the top rated cheese recipes. 

Macaroni and cheese is a favorite among children. You can make homemade macaroni and cheese that uses up to three different cheeses. You can have fun with dish because you can use any kind of cheese that you like. There is no specific cheese to use. This is a simple dish that takes little prep time and you can always make it in advance and freeze it. 

A cheese biscuit with garlic makes a nice appetizer to hold over your hungry crowd until the main dish is served. This is another easy dish to make.   This one does have a little longer prep time, but it’s worth the extra work because your family is sure to love them. Most recipes that you will find only yield about 12 biscuits so you might have to double or triple the recipe depending on how many people you are feeding.

A lovely cheesy dessert that you can try is peanut butter cheese fudge. This is a very simple dish that has very little prep work involved. You will find that this dessert has the sweet taste everyone wants when eating a dessert, but you also get the added benefit of having a subtle cheesy taste.  Anyone that loves cheese will be sure to enjoy this dessert. And since it is fudge, it will keep for a long period of time in the refrigerator before it spoils.

The next dish that is going to be described is a steak and cheese croissant sandwich. This is something that can be made for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s extremely simple to make and has the same prep time as making a sandwich. All you need to do is cut the croissant so that you have two halves, fill it with steak and cheese, and the lettuce and tomato is optional. You don’t have to have steak and cheese you can use any kind of meat and cheese that you desire.

Eggs with cheese and chives are great for breakfast. It doesn’t take long to make and is simple and your kids will love it before they head off to school. All you need to do is beat eggs and add in the cheese and chives. Put the mixture in a skillet and scramble the eggs. Then dish it up and serve. This is another dish that takes very little prep time and your whole family will love the taste; you can use any kind of cheese that you desire.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

Making dinner every day can become tedious, you start running out of things to make, and you get tired of eating the same things over and over again. This a really simple meal to make that your family will love. On the nights that you are busy or just don’t feel like cooking something that involves a lot of work; try this wonderful cheesy casserole recipe. This cheesy hashbrown dish can be good when you are having a pot luck dinner or when friends and family are over visiting. 

You will need to gather a few materials before you start to make this simply easy dish. The things that you will need are a casserole dish, cutting board, a sharp knife, mixing bowl, spatula, and a microwave safe bowl. When you have gathered all the materials set them aside for use later.  Next, you will need to gather your ingredients.   It’s easier to gather everything first so everything is in easy reach when you are making the dish.

The ingredients you will need are:

1 bag of hashbrowns

1 onion

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1 can of cream of celery soup

1 tablespoon of butter

½ lb. of Colby cheese (if you want to use a cheese that has more of a spice flavor, you can substitute the Colby cheese with Pepper Jack cheese)

The first thing that you need to do is preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Next spray your casserole dish with a butter spray or you can coat the bottom and sides of the casserole dish with butter. Once the casserole dish is greased set it aside to use later. Take your onion and cut it up into small chunks. Take your mixing bowl and mix together the mushroom soup and celery soup. Add in the onion and hashbrowns. Mix everything together so that the hashbrowns are evenly coated with the soup. Add in half of the cheese and mix well. Get your casserole dish and pour the hashbrown mixture into the dish. Spread the mixture out evenly over the casserole dish. Add the rest of the cheese to the top of the hashbrown mixture. Melt your butter in the microwave, when the butter is fully melted, pour over the top of the hashbrown mixture. When you have everything in the casserole dish, place it in the oven for about 45 minutes. Check on your casserole after the 45 minute period; the cheese should be melted and starting to get crispy on top. You might have to leave it in the oven another ten minutes just so the hashbrowns and cheese are nicely browned and crispy. Remove from the oven and let stand for about 15 minutes and then serve.

If you always seem to have a full schedule and can never find time to cook, then you can make up more than one serving at a time and freeze it.  By cooking this way, you can have this wonderful meal without all the work.

Facts and Tips about Cheese, Including Wine and Cheese

#1 Cheese production and consumption dates back to 8000 BC

Cheese was produced and consumed as early as 8000 BC. Around that time, sheep were domesticated. Its origins are less clear, but some scholars point to the Middle East or Turkey as the place where cheese was first produced.

#2 How to eat cheese fondue

When you are eating cheese fondue, be careful to not be stuffed once you get to the final part of the pot. The so-called “nun” is by some considered to be best part. It is actually a thin layer of hardened cheese, similar to a crust.

#3 Why cheddar cheese is so durable

Cheddar cheese is known to be able to last for a very long time, even years. The reason is that it is low in moisture. Unlike shredded low fat cheeses or other kinds of light cheese in general, cheddar cheese contains a low percentage of water, and is thus very durable. If you take cottage cheese, for instance, it will turn bad very soon because it contains so much water.

#4 How to prevent mold

In order to prevent mold on your cheese, avoid wet storage environments and always put the cheese in a box and seal it. If you also add a little bit of sugar inside the box, you can prevent mold from occurring on your cheese.

#5 Which cheese knives work best?

The answer is: If a knife is too sharp, it will not work as good as a dull knife.

#6  Which Wine and cheese?

This is almost a timeless question. Which wine should you use with which cheese? The answer is not simple, and it depends on many factors, especially your own taste.

But it is essential to remember that if you buy the cheapest wine available, well then you should probably not expect the highest quality. So if the event you need the wine for is important for you, for instance a romantic cheese fondue, you should invest in a good wine. Good wines have the advantage of being able to help release the flavor of the cheese, which is something cheap wines cannot achieve.

There is a basic rule when choosing a wine to go with cheese, however: if you have a strong cheese, drink a strong wine, and if you have cheese that is mild, pick a wine that is also mild. It is paramount that neither the wine nor the cheese is too strong and is the only flavor you can taste when eating your dinner.

But in the end, all formulas and rules do not matter if you do not like a particular wine or if you cannot stand a particular kind of cheese (such as spicy cheeses like pepper jack cheese). In the end, you have to decide on your taste which wine and which cheese work well together.