Simple recipes for cheese appetizers

Baked Brie Cheese

Tyler Florence wraps a wheel of brie in foil, bakes it until gooey, and serves it with a variety of dipping snacks, like apples, pretzels, or baguette slices.

Recipe: Baked Brie Cheese

Ravioli with Marinara sauce

If fried pasta sounds strange to you, don't be afraid to try something new. Crispy ravioli with a soft cheese filling and a rich marinara dipping sauce—sounds delicious, doesn't it?

Recipe: Ravioli with Marinara sauce

Cheese platter with winter dried fruit compote

This sweet compote of raisins, Granny Smith apples, dried cherries and dried apricots pairs perfectly with gorgonzola or sharp cheddar.

Recipe: Cheese platter with winter dried fruit compote

Oven-baked stuffed mushroom caps

Michael Chiarello transforms portobello mushrooms into a convenient appetizer with melted mozzarella and a crispy Parmesan-breadcrumb crust.

Recipe: Oven-baked stuffed mushroom caps

Goat cheese sprinkled with dill

Ree Drummond makes this appetizer in 20 minutes: she rolls goat cheese in fresh chopped dill and serves it with crackers.

Recipe: Goat cheese sprinkled with dill

Cheese crackers with walnuts

Ina Garten's homemade crackers are an unforgettable treat. Serve them with a chilled Chardonnay or your favorite fall soup.

Recipe: Cheese crackers with walnuts

Spanish Cheese Tapas with Honey

Tyler Florence's simple appetizer is ready in seconds. Your guests will discover the ingenious combination of Manchego cheese and honey.

Recipe: Spanish Cheese Tapas with Honey

Cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto

Giada De Laurentiis's simple appetizer will save you time and allow you to enjoy your guests. Simply wrap delicate goat cheese and mascarpone in slices of prosciutto.

Recipe: Cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto

Crostini with baked tomatoes and 3 types of cheese

This light appetizer features three types of cheese—Romano, ricotta, and blue cheese—melted on a crisp slice of French baguette.

Recipe: Crostini with baked tomatoes and 3 types of cheese

Fried cheese in pretzel breading

Try these crispy breaded balls: inside you'll find gooey Parmesan and cheddar.

Recipe: Fried cheese in pretzel breading

Mozzarella cheese appetizer with honey and figs

Using store-bought filo dough, this appetizer of dried figs, honey, and smoked mozzarella is super easy to make.

Recipe: Mozzarella cheese appetizer with honey and figs

Brie and Vidalia Onion Puffs

Claire Robinson adds caramelized onions to her version of the classic baked brie appetizer.

Recipe: Brie and Vidalia Onion Puffs

Apple galette with goat cheese, cherry, and almond topping

If you think a cherry and almond galette sounds like a dessert, you're right. But with the addition of a delicate, savory goat cheese, it can be served equally well before or after the main course.

Recipe: Apple galette with goat cheese, cherry, and almond topping

Bruschetta with sweet pepper and gorgonzola

Sweet peppers in beautiful autumn colors add a crunchy texture to the appetizer, contrasting nicely with the creamy Gorgonzola cheese.

Recipe: Bruschetta with sweet pepper and gorgonzola

Country Bread Casserole with Goat Cheese, Kale, and Bacon

Bobby Flay's hearty stuffing is essentially everyone's favorite salad topped with slices of country bread.

Recipe: Country Bread Casserole with Goat Cheese, Kale, and Bacon

Crostini with sun-dried tomato jam

Giada makes a sun-dried tomato jam that intensifies the tomato flavor. Spicy goat cheese complements this appetizer perfectly, softening the sharpness.

Recipe: Crostini with sun-dried tomato jam

Quiche with ham, tomatoes and cheese

Quiche is a surprising way to start a holiday dinner (it's essentially a savory pie, and who says no to pie on Thanksgiving?). The pre-made dough makes this recipe quite quick.

Recipe: Quiche with ham, tomatoes and cheese

Light salad with apples and corn

Giada says this salad is like confetti because the ingredients (including corn, apples, cranberries, and cubes of Gruyere cheese) give it so many flavors and textures.

Recipe: Light salad with apples and corn

Mushroom caps stuffed with pecorino cheese and herbs

Stuffed mushrooms are always a hit on the holiday table, especially when topped with pecorino cheese and Italian-style breadcrumbs.

Recipe: Mushroom caps stuffed with pecorino cheese and herbs

Swiss Cheese and Bacon Dip

Rachael Ray's Creamy Cheese Dip will be a hit at your party.

Recipe: Swiss Cheese and Bacon Dip

Excellent pumpkin soup with the best Parmesan croutons

Butternut squash soup is a classic fall dish, typically on the sweet side. But Tyler's version gets a rich, cheesy flavor from Parmesan croutons.

Recipe: Excellent pumpkin soup with the best Parmesan croutons