Cheese/30 recipes

Cheesy macaroni and ham made from boxed mac and cheese mix with diced smoked ham and green bell pepper stirred in. A quick, kid-friendly upgrade to the blue box, ready in 30 minutes.

Low fat creamy ham and pasta cooks bow-tie pasta with peas and turkey ham, then folds in a quick reduced-fat cream cheese sauce. Five ingredients, 30-minute weeknight dinner.

Summer risotto loaded with chicken, prosciutto, mushrooms, peas, sweet peppers, and tomatoes, finished with Romano cheese. A one-pot Italian rice dinner ready in 30 minutes with fresh seasonal flavors.

Shrimp linguine with a quick cream sauce of Swiss, blue, and parmesan cheeses, fresh tomato, garlic, and oregano. Restaurant-style seafood pasta on the table in 30 minutes.

Quick crustless Spam quiche with Monterey Jack cheese and Bisquick batter baked in 30 minutes. Retro comfort food that's faster than ordering takeout.

Mandarin orange topped sugar cookies with a sweet cream cheese and honey spread. Five ingredients, refrigerated cookie dough shortcut, ready in 30 minutes.

Creamy no-fuss blueberry cheese pie with a buttery graham cracker crust, smooth cream cheese and sour cream filling, and glossy blueberry topping. Just 30 minutes from counter to fridge for an easy make-ahead dessert.

Ham and cheese crescent pinwheels rolled with thin-sliced ham, mustard, and American cheese, then sliced and baked into bite-sized party appetizers. Game day snack ready in 30 minutes from a tube of crescent dough.

English muffin pizzas topped with pepperoni, Monterey Jack cheese, and pizza sauce. A quick kid-friendly snack or lunch ready in under 30 minutes.

Easy taco soup with ground beef, kidney beans, corn, and tomatoes, simmered with taco seasoning for a 30-minute Tex-Mex dinner. Top with avocado, cheese, sour cream, and crushed corn chips.

Brie quesadillas with jalapeño-plum salsa bring creamy, buttery cheese together with sweet-tart stone fruit and a kick of chili. A 30-minute appetizer that punches way above its weight class.

Classic New York cheesecake with graham cracker crust. Cream cheese beaten for 30 minutes until impossibly smooth, with folded egg whites for airy texture.

Homemade mac and cheese from scratch with real cheddar, butter roux, and elbow pasta. Creamy stovetop recipe ready in 30 minutes, no box needed.

Four-ingredient cottage cheese pancakes blended smooth with eggs, corn oil, and flour or cornmeal. Light, protein-packed griddle cakes ready in 30 minutes.

Warm cheese tortellini salad with broccoli, Havarti cubes, roasted red peppers, and Dijon vinaigrette. A quick, cheesy Italian pasta salad ready in 30 minutes.

Light chocolate mousse made with ricotta cheese and cocoa. A creamy, low-fat dessert that sets with gelatin and comes together in 30 minutes.