Cheese recipes

Cocoa drop cookies made with cream cheese for an extra-soft, tender crumb. A simple chocolate cookie with just 8 ingredients that comes together in minutes.

Käsetorte is the German cheesecake with a buttery shortcrust pressed into a springform and topped with cream cheese filling thickened by vanilla pudding mix. Lighter and softer than New York-style, with old-world Bavarian charm.

Tomato rarebit with mature cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne on toast with sliced tomato, grilled until golden and bubbling. A 10-minute British classic.

Mexican fresh corn soup blends corn off the cob with milk and butter into a silky base, then folds in green chilies and Monterey Jack. Topped with crisp deep-fried tortilla squares for crunch.

Ham and potato bake folds diced cooked potatoes and cubed ham into a sharp cheddar cream sauce with bright pimento. Five-ingredient one-dish casserole that turns leftovers into dinner.

Strawberry frost blended from frozen strawberries, low-fat yogurt, ricotta, and orange juice concentrate. A no-sugar-added frozen dessert that doubles as a diabetic-friendly treat.

Tiny lemon ricotta turnovers with a butter cookie dough, creamy lemon-ricotta filling, and colorful nonpareil sprinkles. Italian-style filled cookies.

Microwave ratatouille pie: zucchini crust, sautéed onion and pepper in tomato sauce, crowned with breaded frozen eggplant slices. A 50-minute vegetarian main.

Hamburger boat stuffed French bread loaded with seasoned ground beef, mushrooms, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella. A fun, crowd-friendly dinner ready in 25 minutes.

Cheesy polenta topped with eggs and a bit of Italian or Turkey sausage, perfect for a Sunday brunch. Any cheese could be used but my favorite is Fontina or an old flavor filled cheddar. Similar to sausage, eggs and potato but much healthier with perfect matching of flavors. Very easy to halve the recipe along with pictures.

Genoese-style scrambled eggs loaded with sautéed vegetables, Parmesan, and salty prosciutto. A colorful Italian brunch centerpiece.

Spotted chocolate cheesecake with lychee sauce features cream cheese and mascarpone filling, piped white "spots," and a fragrant lychee-lemon puree. A showstopper dessert.

Cheesy baked spinach squares loaded with Monterey Jack and eggs, ready in 40 minutes flat. Cut into squares for an easy appetizer, brunch side, or grab-and-go snack that works warm or cold.

A scrumptious and tantalizing casserole that will satisfy your family's hunger.

Final assembly step for handmade pappardelle with rich duck ragù. Hand-cut egg pasta ribbons tossed with warm duck sauce and parmesan, served on heated plates with more cheese at the table.

Husband's delight casserole layers ground beef in tomato sauce with egg noodles and a cream cheese-sour cream filling, then bakes under sharp cheddar and Parmesan. Retro Midwestern weeknight bake.