We celebrate cheese this month and I have to say, cheese is one food I eat practically every day. I never seem to tire of the endless forms and flavors, in sauces and dips, on its own with crackers, on sandwiches – it’s a world of food opportunity!

Memories of Greece

You might think the Swiss consume the most cheese per person, but it’s actually the Greeks, at 60.1 pounds per person annually, with the majority being feta. One of my favorite trips was with two of my best friends to Greece. That’s where I met the wonder of fresh feta cheese. My fondest memory is sitting at the rooftop restaurant in Athens, with a glorious view of the Acropolis at night, bathed in light under a full moon, enjoying fresh feta cheese and crackers or topping a salad, or by itself. I swear, I would have put it into the fresh yogurt at breakfast if they’d offered.

A View of the Acropolis; Athens Greece. Photo by AussieActive on Unsplash.

It expanded my horizons beyond cheese from cows, but I haven’t been so adventurous as to try cheese from yaks, or reindeer for that matter, even though they’re just a few of the animals from whose milk cheese is made. Buffalo, sheep, goats – people have been making cheese for centuries, probably back to the Mesopotamians.

Cheese.com offers a searchable database of 1,831 varieties of cheese, by name, country of origins, type of milk used to produce, and texture. We don’t have that many recipes featuring this delectable food, but we certainly have a lot. Here are some favorites, starting with a couple for what the International Dairy Food Association says is the most popular cheese recipe in the United States – Macaroni & Cheese.

Baked White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

White Cheddar Mac ‘N Cheese. Photo: Lance Mellenbruch.

Shell macaroni, Alfredo sauce, white cheddar cheese, bread crumbs, Parmesan and butter – hungry yet? How-to video with recipe link here.

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Homemade Mac ‘N’ Cheese. Photo: Chef John Kunkel.

This decadently delicious Mac ‘N’ Cheese, from award-winning Chef John Kunkel, is covered in a Mornay Sauce made with four types of cheese, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, and a delicious blend of spices. Recipe here.

Cheesy Breakfast Burrito Casserole

Cheesy Breakfast Burrito Casserole. Photo: Lance Mellenbruch.

This Cheesy Breakfast Burrito Casserole is perfect to make ahead and bake in the morning. You can also double the recipe and freeze one for later! Feel free to get creative with fillings and toppings, especially those that are local or seasonal. Recipe here.

PB&J Grilled Cheese Sandwich With Bacon, Bacon, Bacon!

Peanut Butter and Jelly with Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Photo: Lance Mellenbruch.

Luscious melted sharp white Cheddar cheese, salty crispy bacon, creamy peanut butter and a touch of sweet blackberry preserves! Recipe here.

Parmesan Celery Walnut Salad

Parmesan Celery Walnut Salad. Photo: Lance Mellenbruch.

This celery salad is crisp and perfect for any time of the year! All you need is a little time to chop up the ingredients, then leave it in the refrigerator to liven the flavors. How-to video with recipe link here.

Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Caprese Grilled Cheese. Photo: Lance Mellenbruch.

Here’s a sandwich that takes everything good about caprese and combines it with everything good about grilled cheese–it’s a highbrow/lowbrow combo!  How-to video with recipe link here.

Cheddar-Chive Scones

Cheddar Chive Scones. Photo: Lance Mellenbruch.

These warm and cheesy scones make an unexpected and welcome addition to any meal. These scones are full of flavor. Try them with dinner and maybe even breakfast. How-to video with recipe link here.

Cheese Enchiladas

Cheese Enchiladas. Photo: Lance Mellenbruch.

Bubbling-hot and delicious homemade enchiladas, hot from the oven in about 30 minutes. This easy-to-prepare recipe offers a great way to serve a comforting cheese enchilada dinner the whole family will enjoy–without spending all night in the kitchen. How-to video here.

New Zealand Cheese Roll

Homemade cheese rolls at a local home in Queenstown, New Zealand via Palate Passport by Neha Khullar.

Flavored cheese in crispy rolled bread – this looks absolutely divine. It’s one of many global recipes shared by Neha Khullar, author of Palate Passport. Get her recipe here.

Enjoy the world of cheese. And thank you Athens, for expanding my cheese horizons. I will never forget it.