Recipes for different types of cheese

Cheddar

Many agree that this hard yellow cheese is best melted between slices of toast. Melissa De Arabian's classic grilled cheese sandwich will delight you with its cheesy abundance and evoke childhood memories.

Recipe: Hot Cheddar Sandwich

Gruyere

Ina Garten adds Gruyere cheese to her mac and cheese in addition to classic cheddar. When choosing cheddar, choose the sharp variety—the rich flavor of Gruyere complements the delicate, spicy dish.

Recipe: Baked macaroni and cheese

Goat cheese

Aina's appetizer is based on puff pastry—it always turns out delicious. Crumble goat cheese over the onion filling and top with a slice of tomato. Bake the tartlets until lightly golden brown.

Recipe: Portioned tarts with tomatoes and goat cheese

Pepper Jack + Cheddar + Parmesan

Enjoy the tangy, mild, and nutty flavor of Pepper Jack, Cheddar, and Parmesan cheese in Ree Drummond's garlic bread. Combine the grated cheeses with a little mayonnaise and spread evenly over the bread.

Recipe: Garlic Cheese Bread

Cream cheese + mascarpone

What's the secret to Giada's delicious cheesecake? Italian mascarpone. This soft, pliable cheese is similar to cream cheese, but has a subtle sweet and tart flavor. Combine it with cream cheese and you'll get the most delicate cheesecake.

Recipe: Mascarpone cheesecake on almond crust

Blue cheese

Pears, Stilton cheese, and port in Ina's recipe are a classic English flavor combo. Serve the baked and stuffed pears on a bed of arugula for a bittersweet contrast with the sweet fruit.

Recipe: Baked pears with blue cheese

Feta

Salty feta adds a wonderful depth of flavor to pasta. In this recipe, Rachael Ray combines crumbled feta with melted butter to create a savory, salty sauce for tomato-infused orzo pasta.

Recipe: Orzo pasta with feta and tomatoes

Mozzarella

Giada makes a wonderful Italian grilled cheese sandwich. Mozzarella and fresh basil are layered between two slices of whole-grain bread, then dipped in a beaten egg and fried in olive oil. Served with pesto, the sandwiches make a delicious appetizer.

Recipe: Hot sandwich “Mozzarella in a carriage”

Ricotta + mascarpone

Classic calzones become dessert: Giada fills them with chocolate-hazelnut spread, silky mascarpone, and ricotta, then serves them with strawberry sauce. These versatile cheeses have a mild flavor, making them ideal for desserts.

Recipe: Calzone with ricotta and chocolate-hazelnut spread

Parmesan

This nutty, creamy cheese is the key ingredient in Giada's light and crispy waffles, so use the best Parmesan you can find. Shredded basil and lemon zest add a fresh flavor to the cookies.

Recipe: Frico: Parmesan Waffles with Basil and Lemon