The Best Recipes For Cheese Lovers

Winter has a lot of joyful times, but in between all of the holidays, it also has dull, gray days with very little sunlight and lots of long, cold nights. It can be easy to feel a little bummed out when it's pitch black at 4:45 p.m. Luckily, there are a lot of ways you can pick yourself up, perhaps with a little comfort food. And what is more comforting than tons of cheese? Whether you like your cheese baked with pasta, tucked into sandwiches, melted into soups or mixed into pastries, here are 25 comforting cheesy recipes to get you through the coldest, shortest days of the year.

Somewhere between a grilled cheese and crackers, these cheese toasts are perfect for those who love their cheese on the crispy, browned side. And while you could certainly use the topping on regular bread, this recipe includes instructions for making your own bready base.

For the Cheese Toasts recipe, click here.

Pasta is the ultimate pick-me-up, and adding plenty of ricotta, Parmesan and mozzarella throughout a baked ziti makes pasta even more comforting.

For the Baked Ziti recipe, click here.

Buffalo chicken dip, with its combination of cream cheese, cheddar and blue cheese, is a fan-favorite year-round. But did you know it's one of the best things you can make in your slow cooker? It's true.

For the Buffalo Bleu Cheese Dip recipe, click here.

Want to learn how to take your grilled cheese to the next level? One, use mayonnaise to coat the outside of your bread (trust us). Two, use multiple cheeses. This recipe uses super melty fontina along with Monterey Jack and white cheddar.

For the Fontina Grilled Cheese recipe, click here.

A retro appetizer that needs to come back ASAP, cheese balls are the perfect shareable snack for the winter season.

For the Crispy Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball recipe, click here.

Another throwback that's perfect for a long, cold winter night at home? The classic cheese fondue. This one kicks things up a notch by infusing crab into the mix.

For the Crab Fondue recipe, click here.

Though there are countless delicious, ooey, gooey macaroni and cheese recipes, most of them are omitting one ingredient that's a total game-changer: cream cheese. Oh, and more than a pound of other cheeses are in this recipe too.

For the Cheese and Macaroni Pie recipe, click here.

Want to get your kids cooking in the kitchen? Have them help you make these easy mozzarella sticks by dipping cheese sticks in an egg wash and panko breadcrumbs.

For the Baked Mozzarella Sticks recipe, click here.

Soups are an ideal dinner for cold fall and winter nights, and this creamy cheese soup uses baby portabella mushrooms, which add a nice earthy note to this decadent dish.

For the Mushroom Cheddar Soup recipe, click here.

If a ton of cheese isn't decadent enough for you, then transform your simple comforting dinner into a luxurious restaurant experience by adding lobster.

For the Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe, click here.

Sure, you can always order pizza from a phenomenal local pizzeria, but making it at home is oddly satisfying. Think beyond pepperoni and sausage with this white pizza with mushrooms and garlic-sauteed kale or chard.

For the White Pizza With Mushrooms and Garlicky Greens recipe, click here.

Want a quick and easy cheesy fix? This queso calls simply for Velveeta cheese and a can of Rotel tomatoes. 

For the Chile Con Queso recipe, click here.

Start your day the cheesy way with these savory cheddar herb scones. For the ultimate brunch inspired by cheese, serve with a cheese omelet and a cheesy breakfast casserole.

For the Savory Cheddar Herb Scones recipe, click here.

The winter has plenty of special occasions, but you don't have to wait for a holiday to make a delicious baked brie. Just whip this up whenever the mood strikes.

For the Baked Brie with Pecans and Cranberry Orange Chutney recipe, click here.

There are dozens of ways to cook potatoes, but this cozy comfort food is always improved with an additional ingredient: cheese. Luckily, this twice-baked potato recipe uses plenty of the good stuff.

For the Twice-Baked Potatoes recipe, click here.

Whether you're looking to make something cheesy for game day or just want to have an extra fun dinner because it's dreadfully gray outside, these pretzel bites will do the trick.

For the Pretzel Bites with Spicy Cheddar Dip recipe, click here.

Ham and cheese is a classic combination. Go beyond your basic lunchtime sandwich with this baked stromboli recipe.

For the Ham and Cheese Stromboli recipe, click here.

Lasagna is one of the best dishes to make during the holiday season. But you don't need to wait for Christmas to whip up this layered lasagna, which uses cottage cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella and provolone.

For the Grandma's Lasagna recipe, click here.

Though these cheese pastries are a traditional recipe for Hanukkah, the delicious sweet baked goods use farmer cheese in the dough and the filling, for good measure and good tidings.

For the Judith's Cheese Pastries recipe, click here.

Goat cheese is tangy and creamy, which makes it a natural thing to pair with eggs and fresh herbs for this pizza, which is great for dinner or a midday brunch.

For the Sunny Side Up Egg Pizza with Goat Cheese and Herbs recipe, click here.

If you've gotten really into making sourdough this year but are looking for creative ways to serve it, use a big ol' loaf as a vessel for ooey, gooey baked brie.

For the Baked Brie Bowl recipe, click here.

OK, cheesecake isn't a cheesy recipe in the traditional sense, but this dessert is so phenomenal and creamy, we just couldn't resist. Plus, it's virtually impossible to be sad while eating cheesecake.

For the Vanilla Cheesecake recipe, click here.

A classic Southern dish everyone needs to try, grits are greatly enhanced with a kick from jalapenos and plenty of cheese.

For the Jalapeno Cheese Grits recipe, click here.

Sharp cheddar cheese pairs remarkably well with some sweetness from apples and saltiness from bacon in this jazzed-up version of your everyday grilled cheese sandwich.

For the Maple Apple Grilled Cheese recipe, click here.

A cheese board is one of the best ways to eat cheese. But if you don't want to bother with curating meats and cheeses and placing them on a platter just-so, put your salami, goat cheese and cheddar into a loaf of bread.

For the Dublin Cheeseboard-Stuffed Appetizer Bread recipe, click here.

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