20 Cheesy Recipes that Prove Everything's Better with Cheddar

You know what they say: Everything's better with Cheddar (oh wait, or feta.). It's true! These recipes for queso, waffles, sandwiches, toasts, and popovers (to name a few) star one of our very favorite cheeses.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova1/20Broccoli Cheddar Soup With Cheesy Croutons
Our better-than-ever broccoli cheddar is lighter, brighter, and less gloppy than the kind you’d find in your corporate cafeteria—with a creaminess that comes from blended potatoes and broccoli stalks rather than heavy cream.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman2/20BA’s Best Macaroni and Cheese
We like to use a combination of cheeses, for maximum meltability, but don't skimp on the sharp white cheddar
Tuukka Koski3/20Caramel-Dipped Popovers with Chocolate Mousse
These savory popovers are made with cheddar cheese (really!), which keeps the dessert from veering into overly sweet territory.
Peden + Munk4/20Bresaola and Cheddar Toast
Sharp cheddar acts as a perfect foil for the salty beef and briny pickles.
Photo by Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott5/20Best-Ever Grilled Cheese
After rigorous scientific testing, we’ve determined that sandwiches sliced in half on a diagonal actually taste better.
Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott6/20Broccolini-Cheddar Gratin with Rye Breadcrumbs
You will fight your own relatives for the bits of cheesy goodness stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Gentl & Hyers8/20Caramelized Garlic, Spinach, and Cheddar Tart
The unsung hero of this dish? The nutty-sweet garlic. The backbone? Two glorious cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese.
9/20Creamy Queso with Chorizo
With Velveeta, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheeses, this isn't just good—it's lethal.
Ditte Isager10/20Beer and Cheddar Soup with Kielbasa Sausage
This rich and cheesy soup is satisfying on its own, but goes main course with the addition of seared kielbasa sausage.
Romulo Yanes11/20Ham-and-Cheese Waffles
Savory (ham and cheese) and sweet (maple syrup), this dish is equally great at breakfast and dinner.
Danny Kim12/20Deviled Cheese Toasts
When it comes to toast toppers, this one pulls out all the stops: mayonnaise, cheddar, dill pickles, and pimientos.
Matt Duckor13/20Crispy Potato Skins
Crispy, cheesy, bacon-y—they're an irresistible snack. So irresistible, in fact, that you may want to make a double batch.


16/20Grits Dressing
This rich, soufflé-like dressing derives its texture from stone-ground grits and two whole cups of grated cheddar cheese.
17/20Tomato and Cheddar Pie
With its biscuity buttermilk crust, this rustic pie is our new summertime staple. It's worth waiting until tomatoes are in season to make this simple stunner.
18/20Cheddar and Horseradish Spread
This spread is cheesy, tangy, and a little spicy. Serve with plenty of crackers.
19/20Butternut Squash and Cheddar Bread Pudding
A cheesy custard keeps this veggie-packed side dish from feeling too virtuous.
Peden + Munk20/20Migas Fried Rice
Jaew is a tart, smoky dipping sauce from Thailand, usually served with grilled meats and sausages. Hot Joy chef Quealy Watson takes it to a Tex-Mex place in this eggy, cheesy rice dish that might remind you of nachos (it works).