15 Melty, Cheesy Comfort Food Recipes

It’s officially autumn, and the comfort food recipes are starting to roll out in earnest, making this the perfect time of year to enjoy a thoroughly cheesy meal. Cheesy comfort foods are wonderful this time of year, and can really soothe your soul after a long day at work or at school. Cheesy dishes don’t have to be complicated to taste great, so you can make them as simple or as complicated as you want with ease. Try any of these amazing cheesy comfort food recipes this season for an epic lunch or dinner.

1. Chili Cheese Fries

Chili Cheese Fries just out of the oven and garnished with dollops of sour cream, slices of jalapeno pepper, diced red onion, and fresh cilantro.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Chili cheese fries are some of the cheesiest, most decadent fries you can make. You can add as much or as little cheese as you want and top them with all your favorite chili toppings for an epic meal nobody will be able to say no to.

2. Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A cut Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich lays on a cutting board with melted cheese oozing out of it.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you love jalapeno poppers, don’t miss this jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwich. It has all that cheesiness you want with that little kick of jalapeno spice you expect. Here again, you can use as little or as much cheese as you want.

3. Grilled Cheese Sandwich With Blackberries

A close up of a stacked Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich on a white platter.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you love the combination of fruit and cheese, this blackberry grilled cheese sandwich is definitely one you should try. It has so much cheese goodness that is perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the blackberries. It’s a very decadent sandwich you’ll want to make again and again.

4. Homemade Mac And Cheese

A spoon lifts mac and cheese out of a bowl.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

We’ve all had that box of heavily processed mac and cheese from the store. It has that neon orange color that kids seem to love. But if that’s the only type of mac and cheese you know, then you’re definitely missing out. Try this homemade mac and cheese recipe instead for a cheesy experience you won’t be able to get enough of.

5. Mediterranean Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A stacked Mediterranean grilled cheese sandwich on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

A cheesy, decadent, Mediterranean grilled cheese sandwich with fresh, Mediterranean vegetables and dried apricots to add a touch of sweetness, is the ultimate excuse to eat a grilled cheese sandwich.

6. Cheeseburger Pasta

A white bowl filled with Real Food Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Pasta.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you like the traditional boxed version of this family favorite, you’ll adore this made-from-scratch version. Cheeseburger pasta has never tasted this good. It still has all that cheese goodness you want from a dish like this, just without the unwanted ingredients.

7. No Noodle Tuna Casserole

A spoon lifts some no noodle tuna casserole out of a casserole dish.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

No noodle tuna casserole is a deliciously decadent casserole that cuts way down on carbs while still delivering on all that cheesy goodness. It’s a lighter meal that will still fill you up and keep you that way for hours after you’ve eaten.

8. Nachos Recipe With Bacon And Jalapeño

A closeup of Bacon Jalapeno Nachos garnished with fresh cilantro.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Few things beat a big tray of nachos. If you love nachos, you know how versatile they can be. Some cheese and your favorite toppings, and you’re set for dinner. But have you tried this particular combination? Nacho lovers will adore these nachos with bacon and jalapeño.

9. Cream Cheese Balls

A group of Cream Cheese Balls on a cutting board between some crackers.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

These might not be as melty as the rest of the dishes here, but they are every bit as cheesy. These cream cheese balls are a delicious appetizer or snack for fall. You can make them look like little pumpkins, or simply avoid that part. It’s up to you. Just don’t skip this one if you love snacking.

10. Garlic Mushroom Double Cream Brie Cheese

A small bowl with a serving of garlic mushroom brie.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Garlic mushroom double cream brie cheese was meant for brie lovers. You can use it to smear on toast, or add more mushrooms to make it a cheesy side dish. No matter how you eat it, it’s sure to put a smile on your brie-loving face.

11. Nacho Cheese Sauce

Tortilla chips with tomato and cheese-garlic dip on wood old table.
Photo Credit: Stepanek Photography/Shutterstock.

If you need a really delicious cheese sauce for nachos or other recipes, this nacho cheese sauce is an epic way to get your melty cheesy fix without any processed ingredients. It’s awesome for nachos, burritos, tacos, or even certain pasta dishes. Make a batch and get creative with the epic level of cheesiness.

12. Air Fryer Cheese Sticks

A cutting board holding a pile of cheese sticks and a small white bowl of marinara dip.
Photo Credit: DronG/Shutterstock.

Air fryer cheese sticks are arguably one of the best cheesy snack foods you can eat. When all you want is some finger food for a night of Netflix and chill, these hit the spot every time. Make a big batch to share, or make just enough for yourself.

13. Baked Ziti

A fork hold a bit of baked ziti over a plateful.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This baked Ziti will be as cheesy as you want to make it. It’s decadent and has all those delicious Italian flavors you expect from a casserole dish like this. Add more or less cheese as you see fit to make it just right for you. Serve with a side salad and some crunchy garlic bread.

14. Supreme Pizza

Looking down on a Supreme Pizza laying on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This collection of recipes wouldn’t be complete without a cheesy pizza. This supreme pizza is a great way to make a single serving pizza, or make multiples for more people. Because the crust is a pita bread, you can make as much or as little as you want, and adjust the amount of cheese to your liking.

15. Tuna Melt

Air Fryer Toasted Tuna Melt Sandwich Ready to Eat on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.

Most people don’t immediately think of a tuna melt when they think of cheesy dishes. But a really good tuna melt can be as cheesy as you want to make it. These sandwiches are incredibly delicious and are paired perfectly with a side salad for either lunch or dinner.

More From The Gracious Pantry

A dutch oven with a cooked whole chicken topped with rosemary twigs.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Need more dinner ideas? These can help. Chicken and turkey are very versatile foods that can be used to create an unlimited number of dinners. Here are 118 ideas to get you started.

Author: Tiffany McCauley

Title: Food and Travel Journalist

Expertise: Food, cooking, travel

Bio:

Tiffany McCauley is a nationally syndicated journalist and an award-winning cookbook author and food blogger. She has been featured on MSN, Huffington Post, Country Living Magazine, HealthLine, Redbook, and many more. Her food specialty is healthy comfort food recipes.

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