Cuisine: Cheese
Bacon Ranch Party Potato Casserole
This Bacon Ranch Party Potato Casserole is truly a crowd pleaser. It takes the classic Midwestern cheesy hashbrown funeral potatoes and gives them a punchy, modern upgrade by swapping out the traditional cream of chicken soup for tangy sour cream and zesty ranch seasoning, all topped with smoky bacon.
By - Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Yields: 12 Servings
Hog Pogs
Hog Pogs are a brilliantly simple, wildly comforting vintage appetizer that hits all the best flavor notes: savory, creamy, salty, and warm. This four-ingredient appetizer is an open-faced cocktail toast. It’s raw ground Italian sausage, softened cream cheese, finely grated Parmesan, slathered on a slice of baguette and baked until golden. It can’t get any easier!
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Yields: 12 Servings
Easy Cheese Soufflé
Don't let the name fool you—while this is called a cheese soufflé, it’s technically a strata, though it does incorporate whipped egg whites, which helps the soufflé to puff up. It begins with rustic Italian Bread and uses fontina, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses. Like a strata, you refrigerate it overnight and bake it the next day, which is my kind of recipe! If you are apprehensive about making a traditional cheese soufflé, this is a good alternative.
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 5 mins
- Yields: 10 Servings
Baked Yams with a Parmesan Crust
Baked Yams with a Parmesan Crust are here to bring a savory, salty crunch to your table that’s totally addictive. The yams are pressed into a nutty mixture of freshly grated Parmesan. As they roast, the cheese transforms into a golden, lacy crust, which offsets the creamy, natural sweetness of the yams. It’s an effortless, budget-friendly dish that looks—and tastes—absolutely out of this world.
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Creamy Spinach and Broccoli Pasta with Chicken
This is my brilliant friend Sara Tane's high-protein, vibrant Creamy Spinach and Broccoli Pasta with Chicken. It's quick, easy, and so satisfyingly good. You get the rich, velvety indulgence of a creamy sauce paired with a massive hit of greens and lean protein. The secret ingredient is cottage cheese. Using cottage cheese is a total game-changer. Not only does it skyrocket the protein content, but it also creates a surprisingly thick, creamy texture without the need for heavy cream or butter.
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Tuscan Baked Spaghetti
Tuscan Baked Spaghetti with sun-dried tomatoes and sausage is a rustic, crowd-pleasing casserole that leans heavily into the bold, earthy flavors of Central Italy.
The brilliance of this specific combination lies in its texture. You have the silky pasta, the crumbly sausage, and the slightly leathery, intense bite of the sun-dried tomatoes. Topped with a generous dusting of freshly grated Parmesan, it hits every sensory note. Buon appetito!
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Leftover Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie
My daughter, Grace, has mastered the art of the culinary "second act." She brilliantly transforms leftover roast beef and mashed potatoes into a Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie - and while the purists might call it a Cottage Pie because of the beef, in our house, it’s simply a family classic. Her addition of sharp cheddar cheese to the mashed potatoes creates a tangy, golden crust that ties the whole dish together.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Miso Mac and Cheese
Elevate your Mac and Cheese with this Creamy Miso Mac. This dish balances the sharp Cheddar with the subtle sweetness of white miso, creating a deep, umami-rich flavor. Finished with a crunch of toasted panko, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of chili oil. The result is delicious!
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Chicken Fajita Rice Bake
This Chicken Fajita Rice Bake is a make-ahead, low-effort, high-reward dinner for busy nights. Juicy chicken thighs, beans, tomatoes, chilies, peppers, onions, and brown rice with melty Monterey Jack cheese is the answer to your what to have for dinner dilemma. It’s hearty, healthy-ish, and guaranteed to have everyone asking for seconds.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Boursin-Pepper Jelly Dip
If you’re looking for a showstopping appetizer for your next gathering, look no further. This Boursin-Pepper Jelly Dip is a sophisticated, high-flavor upgrade to the classic holiday block of cream cheese. By swapping basic cream cheese for the velvety, herb-flecked richness of Boursin, you transform a simple snack into a gourmet centerpiece in under two minutes. A shower of crushed smoked almonds provides a salty, roasted depth that ties it all together.
- Prep: 5 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
