Last Updated on January 27, 2023 by Maria Kennedy
Cheese is one of those things that you’ll encounter regardless of where you are in the world. Whether you’re in a major cheese-making territory or at a remote corner of the globe, you’re sure to see something served with cheese. With so many choices, how do you pick the best one?
To help you determine your favorite, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most popular cheese dishes in the world for you. You’re sure to find something on the list, from the stalwart Mac and Cheese to the ever-decadent Raclette.
Before we get started with the list, let’s discuss what makes these cheese dishes so popular. While it’s hard to pinpoint an exact reason, these dishes have a few things in common: the warmth they provide as comfort food, the enjoyment of experiencing something so rich and gooey, and their overall homey flavor.
And with that aside, let’s look at the ten most popular cheese dishes that won everyone’s hearts and tastebuds worldwide.
Mac and Cheese
Let’s be honest: you had to know Mac and Cheese would make it on this list, and at the top, too! And why wouldn’t it be: it’s become such a staple comfort food that conglomerates such as Kraft have succeeded in making an easy-to-make version of this dish. Now everyone can enjoy this delicious marriage of pasta and cheese regardless of cooking skill and age.
But if you’re feeling adventurous, you can craft your own homemade Mac and Cheese using any cheese you want. Stick with the trusty Cheddar or other staples such as Mozzarella, Gruyere or Gouda, or experiment with something unconventional like Raclette or goat cheese.
Queso Fundido
Hailing from Mexico, Queso Fundido is always a dependable crowd-pleaser. It’s made with melted cheese and meat sauce, made from chorizo, tomatoes, onions, and other spices. Oaxaca and Chihuahua cheese are required if you want an authentic Queso Fundido, but you can also use goat cheese.
Obatzda
Here’s another cheesy dip for you, courtesy of the Germans: Obatzda, sometimes spelled as Obazda. Its main ingredient is Camembert, combined with a softer cheese such as cream cheese, butter, paprika, and German beer. Diners usually enjoy this with some (more!) German beer and bite-sized chunks of pretzels.
Saganaki
Now, we turn our attention to Greece and its eye-catching cheesy delicacy: Saganaki. Made from either Graviera or Kefalotyri cheeses (or anything firm and dry enough to maintain its shape when fried), the cheese is cut into rectangular sections before being coated in flour and fried with oil. The result is a crispy outside with gooey cheese inside.
By the way, flambeeing the saganaki tableside is not a traditional Greek practice. That’s more of an American twist on the dish, but it’s eye-catching nonetheless.
Raclette
Boiled potatoes don’t sound as glamorous as a dish, but slather some melty Raclette on it, and it becomes something completely different. Thanks to Swiss mountain shepherds who decided to scrape melted Raclette on their potatoes, we can now enjoy a decadent meal of potatoes, vegetables, meat, and cheese. It’s so good they named the dish the same as the cheese.
Saag Paneer
Indian cuisine is so diverse and adaptable that it’s no surprise to see them incorporate cheese into a dish. For this list, we’ll focus on Saag Paneer, a simple yet flavorful dish that uses spinach and Paneer.
Paneer is a type of cheese from India made from buffalo or cow milk. Many Indian dishes use it in their recipes, and Saag Paneer is just one of them.
The next time you feel like enjoying some Indian food, try this one. You’ll be surprised at how light yet filling this dish is.
Cacio e Pepe
Italy is known for its love of pasta and cheese, and Cacio e Pepe is just one of those dishes hailing from the beloved country. What’s even more interesting is how simple the dish is. All you need is some pasta, olive oil, some pasta water, black pepper, and grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan. Mix them together and you’ll have a simple yet delicious meal.
Poutine
How do fries, cheese curds, and gravy sound to you? If your mouth’s already watering, Canada would love to offer you their Poutine. As one of their staple snacks, Poutine is quite an indulgent snack that’s sure to hit the spot. Let the melty cheese work with the crispy yet starchy fry, tied together by a savory beef gravy.
Pizza Margherita
A cheese dish list is incomplete without mentioning pizza at least once, and what’s better than the tried and tested Pizza Margherita from Naples, Italy? That divine combination of tomato puree, Mozzarella, and fresh basil has won many taste buds all over, and it’s easy to see why. It might be simple with few ingredients, but the taste and experience are unbeatable.
Lasagna
Is it any surprise that we’ll see another Italian dish here on this list? This time, it’s the trusty and hearty Lasagna, with layers of lasagne sheets, hearty ragu, rich Ricotta and Parmesan, topped with a beautiful crust of melted Mozzarella. And in case you’re wondering, yes, mozzarella cheese is healthy. It’s a daunting dish to make from scratch because of the labor involved, but the effort is oh-so-worth it!
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