Cheese Recipes

Homestyle lasagna rolls turn a meaty mushroom-and-beef filling, spiked with red wine and nutmeg, into tidy individual rolls baked in spaghetti sauce under melty mozzarella and parmesan. No messy slicing.

Kadin budu kofte, the classic Turkish meatball of ground lamb and boiled rice studded with feta, parsley, and dill, egg-dipped, flour-coated, and fried golden. Crunchy crust outside, soft and tender within.

Randy Pollak's persimmon salad is a molded gelatin salad with orange Jello, hot grapefruit juice, and strained persimmon pulp. A vintage fruit salad served on lettuce with cottage cheese.

Make-ahead ham and cheddar breakfast casserole assembled overnight and baked in the morning. A mustardy egg custard soaks the bread layers, topped with buttered cornflakes for a satisfying crunch.

Traditional slow-cooked polenta finished with butter and Parmesan cheese. Stirred low and slow for up to 45 minutes until thick, creamy, and impossibly smooth.

White chicken chili loaded with two cans of pinto beans (one whole, one pureed) plus chickpeas, dry vermouth, and a touch of honey for body. Topped with melted mozzarella.

Ricotta-Sour Cream Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce recipe

Grilled chicken fajitas with a bright raisin salsa of tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, jalapeno, and lime. Warm corn tortillas and sweet-spicy salsa make this a build-your-own dinner party hit.

New Orleans crab canapes: buttered toast rounds topped with creamy crab and gruyere-parmesan cheese balls, baked until bubbly. A classic French Quarter party appetizer.

Indian cheese (paneer and channa): homemade fresh cheese from just whole milk and buttermilk. The foundation for paneer tikka, palak paneer, and countless Indian desserts.

Chunky Italian sausage baked in a hearty tomato and vegetable casserole with red wine, oregano, and melted cheese on top. A Sicilian-style one-dish dinner ready in an hour.

Fried green tomatoes over angel hair pasta with garlic-infused olive oil, Parmesan, and crispy breadcrumbs. A Southern-Italian fusion main that turns unripe garden tomatoes into a proper dinner.

Homemade Boursin-style cheese spread with fresh basil, chives, parsley, garlic, and chopped black olives folded into cream cheese. A 15-minute herbed cheese spread for crackers, baguette, or crudites.

French onion soup with deeply caramelized onions, dry white wine, rich chicken broth, and a bubbling Gruyère crust over toasted baguette slices. Bistro comfort at home.

Rich chocolate cupcakes hiding a cream cheese and chocolate chip center that stays molten and gooey. The cocoa batter gets its lift from vinegar and baking soda, yielding a tender, fudgy crumb. Makes 3 dozen crowd-pleasers.

Popcakes are buttermilk quick breads baked in muffin tins that pop up tall and golden. Includes a Mexican masa harina variation and a stovetop pancake version from the same batter.