6 Ways to One-Up Side Dish Favorites with Cheese — Sensational Sides

Cheesy does it, cheese lovers. In addition to taking your favorite food by the block, don’t forget that one of the most-splendid ways to use cheese is in go-to side dishes.

1. Mashed Potatoes + Cheese

Mashed potatoes are normally improved upon with a lake of gravy in the center, but they’re even better than that when a little cheese gets involved. Ina Garten stirs garlicky herb goat cheese (as well as sour cream, butter and half-and-half) into her Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes for Food Network Magazine (pictured above). After sprinkling the creamy side with Parmesan, she sets it in the oven so it gets a nice golden-browned top. You might never take your mashed taters without cheese again.

2. Biscuits + Cheese

The Pioneer Woman’s plain buttermilk biscuit always does the trick, but Kelsey Nixon’s Bacon, Cheddar and Chive Biscuits kick it up with added goodies. Picture these meaty and cheesy biscuits slathered with butter and served beside a bowl of chili.

3. Veggies + Cheese

How can anyone turn down veggies when cheese enters the mix? Sunny Anderson’s Cheesy Mushroom and Broccoli Casserole lays on the good stuff for a creamy, comforting veggie side that comes with a satisfying base of rice.

4. Grains + Cheese

Though you may be more accustomed to finding potatoes taken with an au gratin approach, Cheesy Barley Gratin proves the technique is no one-trick pony. You’ll find this perfectly cooked grain — along with a luxuriously creamy sauce of Gruyère, Parmesan and mozzarella — under a delicious, crispy blanket of buttery panko breadcrumbs.

5. Salad + Cheese 

This is probably not news to you: Even your salads are better with cheese. Take Ree Drummond’s Cheddar Bacon Wedge Salad, for example, which covers the customary iceberg lettuce with thick-cut bacon, grated sharp cheddar and homemade cayenne-spiked buttermilk dressing.

6. Pasta + Cheese

Who are we kidding? Would we ever dream of having pasta without cheese? Macaroni and cheese has made quite the name for itself for a reason, and Ina’s easy tomato-topped Mac and Cheese is here to remind you why.

Get more cheesy recipes from our friends:

The Lemon Bowl: Spelt Salad with Apples, Cheddar and Scallions
Jeanette’s Healthy Living: Loaded Mashed Cauliflower Casserole with Bacon and Caramelized Onions {Low Carb}
Creative Culinary: Cilantro Serrano Rice
Virtually Homemade: Stove Top Mac and Cheese with Apples and Bacon
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Mary Lane’s Pasta With Pesto Tomato Sauce
Red or Green: Cheesy Polenta with Spicy Leeks
The Wimpy Vegetarian: Cheesy Beer Bread with Quinoa, Millet and Jalapeño Peppers
Homemade Delish: Cheesy Zucchini and Summer Squash
Daisy at Home: Bell Pepper Pizza
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Indian Cottage Cheese & Bell Pepper Quick Stir-Fry
Weelicious: Cheesy Turkey Meatballs
Swing Eats: Frico: Parmesan Cheese Crackers (gluten-free)
The Mom 100: Leek, Mushroom and Goat Cheese Quiche
Taste with the Eyes: Lemon Risotto Balls with Parmesan and Mascarpone

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