What Is Cheddar cheese and How Can I Use It?

Cheddar cheese is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 1,679 recipes to get you started.

What is cheddar cheese?

Cheddar that is made in the traditional way, tends to have a sharp, pungent flavour, often slightly earthy.

Its texture is firm, with farmhouse traditional Cheddar being slightly crumbly, it should also, if mature, contain large crystals of calcium lactate - often precipitated when matured for times longer than 6 months.

Real Cheddar is never 'soapy', in texture or mouth-feel.

Cheddar is usually a deep to pale yellow (off-white) colour, but orange food colorings are sometimes used in industrial varieties of Cheddar style cheeses.

Nutrition

Where found

Cheddar cheese is usually found in the cheeses section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Cheddar cheese is a member of the Dairy and Egg Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much does cheddar cheese weigh?

Related

Dairy and Egg Products

Recipes using cheddar cheese

There are 1679 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Daddy's Creamy Broccoli Soup

Rich, restaurant-style creamy broccoli soup with tender florets, buttery broth base, half-and-half, and sharp cheddar for stirring in at the table.

Cheddar Bacon Treat

Sharp cheddar whipped with sour cream, Worcestershire, and crispy crumbled bacon makes a rich, tangy spread for this loaded cheddar bacon sandwich. Ready in 10 minutes flat.

Meatballs with Sauce

Cheese-stuffed meatballs simmered in a roux-thickened tomato sauce with white wine. Made with ground sirloin and cheddar, served over spaghetti or rice.

Macaroni Supper Casserole

A hearty, layered casserole combining tender macaroni, savory tomato sauce, creamy spinach-cheese filling, and melted cheddar. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Much easier than a lasagna with just as much punch.

Huevos Rancheros

Huevos rancheros stack sunny-side-up eggs on warm corn tortillas with refried beans, green chili, and melted cheddar. Mexican breakfast plate ready in 20 minutes.

Healthy Pepperoni & Veggie Pizza

A great healthy pizza for a delicious lunch or dinner.

Nachos

This recipe sounds great I would really like to try it.

Turkey-Cheddar Burgers

Juicy turkey cheddar burgers seasoned with sage, thyme, lemon zest, and sauteed garlic onions, with melted cheese stuffed right inside the patty. Grill or broil in 40 minutes for a lighter burger that still oozes with flavor.

Prairiehare's French Onion Soup

A very simple recipe for a classic, which helps you to get warm in the winter (ok, I mean when it is getting 4° Celsius in the night in Southern California). The number of servings is accurate when you have it as a meal - as a starter it should serve way more people. I did not list any spices, as I usually have self made chicken broth which is already pretty tasty and spicy, sweetness comes from the onions and the white wine balances it. For bread and cheese - don't think about any fancy, old dry bread is good and any cheese which melts. The onions are king when it comes to taste. Ovenproof crock bowls are very nice for final preparation and serving the soup.

Regina's Cheddar Biscuits

Cheddar buttermilk biscuits with cold butter cut into flour, grated cheese folded into the dough, and golden tops baked tender and tall. A flaky brunch-table staple.

Elizebeth's Cheese Biscuits

Three-cheese biscuits made with sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Swiss Emmentaler folded into a flaky butter dough. Wheat germ and powdered milk add nutty depth. Ready in 35 minutes.

MacHo Nachos

Loaded macho nachos piled high with spicy bean dip, melted cheddar, guacamole, sour cream, and sliced jalapenos. This fiery Mexican appetizer is microwave-ready in minutes for game day or any party.

Eggs Florentine Ham & Cheese Cups

These Eggs Florentine Cheese Cups are a satisfying, savory breakfast treat that combines the richness of cheddar and cottage cheese with the hearty flavors of spinach and ham. Freeze and reheat for a quick breakfast during the week.

Roasted Red Pepper & Egg McMuffins for Two

Quick, easy and packed with great flavors. It's a delicious all-day-breakfast recipe that fills you up whenever you feel hungry and want something simple and tasty.

Tom's Cheddar Biscuits

Cheddar biscuits with sharp shredded cheese cut straight into the dough, baked tall and golden in a hot oven. Six pantry ingredients, no buttermilk required, ready alongside dinner.

Tortilla Wrap-Ups

Easy breakfast tortilla wrap-ups stuffed with scrambled eggs, melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon bits, salsa, and fresh tomato. A quick, kid-friendly morning meal ready in under 20 minutes.

Double Decker Burgers

Double-decker cheeseburgers stack two thin beef patties with a tangy cheddar-mayo-mustard-relish spread between them. The homemade Big Mac alternative made with real ingredients.

Southwestern Eggs

A very quick and easy breakfast or brunch recipe. It came out delicious. Had my veggies, proteins, fibers and carb all in one dish.

Very Cheesy Cream of Broccoli Soup

Cheesy cream of broccoli soup loaded with sharp cheddar, Swiss, and a swirl of sour cream. Blended cashews add silky body to this vegetarian, can-be-gluten-free comfort bowl.

Yummy Bacon-Topped Cheese Soup

Yummy bacon-topped cheese soup is a microwave-friendly cheddar soup loaded with bacon, celery, carrot, onion, and green bell pepper, finished with crisp bacon on top.

Easy Scrambled Eggs & Ham

Easy Scrambled Eggs and Ham that's ready in a zap.

Eggs with Potato & Kale Hash Nest

Kale has become a super food, and there is a reason for it. It's packed with nutrients, and with little calories. This potato and kale hash has a great texture and flavour. The smoked cheddar and the eggs add a healthy dose of protein.

Crunchy Breakfast Wrap for Two

Skip the fast food queue - it's easy to make your own breakfast wraps at home. Crispy home fried potatoes, egg, cheese and a sausage patty wrapped up in a crispy tortilla.

Micro-Quick Quesadilla

If you're in a hurry, try this easy and delicious dish that can satisfy anyone's hunger!

Cheddar Burgers

Cheddar burgers with grated sharp cheese mixed right into the beef along with minced onion, breadcrumbs, and barbecue sauce. Cheese-stuffed patties that won't squeeze out a slice on the grill.

All 1,679 recipes