Cheese recipes

Layered Mexican dip: refried beans and bean dip topped with fresh guacamole, a seasoned sour cream and cheese layer, and black olives. A no-fuss party appetizer that disappears in minutes.

Slow cooker pizza beans with pinto beans simmered in tomato, oregano, and rosemary, then topped with melty mozzarella and grated romano. A vegetarian crockpot dinner that tastes like pizza in a bowl.

Molded cranberry relish with raspberry Jello, fresh cranberries, grapes, celery, and crushed pineapple. Served with a fluffy cream cheese and marshmallow whipped dressing. A retro Thanksgiving and Christmas centerpiece.

Fruit pizza with a sugar cookie crust, vanilla cream cheese sauce, fresh fruit topping, and a shiny orange juice glaze. A colorful party dessert that slices like pizza.

Barley risotto layered with sun-dried tomatoes and homemade basil pesto, enriched with ricotta and goat cheese, then baked until the pesto toasts golden. A vegetarian main that eats like a feast.

Rice and bean casserole with brown rice, pink beans, cottage cheese, and wheat germ, topped with sesame seeds. A high-protein vegetarian one-dish meal.

Cheesy popover ring built on classic French choux pastry, studded with sharp cheddar and baked into a golden, crackly wreath. Pull-apart bread for brunch, soup, or holiday tables.

Tomato mozzarella and basil salad over fresh spinach with a lemon-olive oil dressing. A light caprese-style salad ready in 15 minutes, no cooking needed.

Bean fajitas: black beans, zucchini, bell pepper, and onion tossed with chili and cumin, rolled in warm tortillas with salsa, yogurt, and Monterey Jack. A vegetarian weeknight win.

Enchilada torte stacks flour tortillas, spiced ground beef and cheddar into a layered casserole, cooked entirely in the microwave in about 25 minutes. All the enchilada flavor with no rolling and no oven.

Cream of green chile soup with potatoes, Monterey Jack cheese, and crispy corn tortilla strips. A rich, cumin-spiced bowl straight from New Mexico's kitchen.

Oaxaca tostada bites: tortilla chips topped with a mole-spiced black bean mash of cocoa, cumin, and cinnamon, cool avocado cream, pepper jack, and lettuce. A no-cook, party-ready Mexican appetizer.

Turtles cheesecake with chopped caramel-pecan chocolates folded into a brown sugar cream cheese filling on a buttery pecan crust. Rich, indulgent, and topped with whole Turtles.

Fat-free cherry cheesecake bars with cinnamon cookie crust, creamy lemon-kissed filling, and glossy cherry topping that tastes like splurging but keeps calories in check.

Mexican drunken eggs: beaten eggs swirled into a smoky bacon and chicken broth with tomatoes, serrano chiles, and grated cheese. Served with warm corn tortillas, this is hearty, spicy brunch food at its best.

Broiled chicken seasoned with cumin and oregano, topped with seasoned black beans, jalapeño, green onions, and melted Monterey Jack cheese. Tex-Mex made easy.