15 Glorious Ways to Use Up Leftover Holiday Cheese

Cheese soup is pretty much the winter trifecta: it’s comforting, it’s cheesy, and it still feels like a classic. Pair it with macaroni and French onion flavours, however, and you’ve got a trifecta on a trifecta (is that even possible?). This recipe calls for Gruyere, but we think Emmental or Jarlsberg would also make perfectly acceptable substitutes.

Crusty bread, melted camembert and salty prosciutto is a combo that always makes our mouths water. Ina Garten capitalizes on this with these pretty little tartines, which are elevated even further with a hint of thyme. You won’t have any leftovers after whipping these appies up, we promise.

If you’ve got some Gruyere, Emmental or Jarlsberg on your hands, then you’ve got the perfect excuse to whip up an extra-cheesy breakfast casserole this weekend. This ham-and-cheese concoction is the epitome of a lazy Sunday, one that’s loaded with indulgent flavours.

We often reach for the parmesan when we want to cheese up our pasta dishes, but as Giada De Laurentiis proves with this fusilli plate, asiago is just as nice. Pair it with some fresh garlic and cherry tomatoes for the perfect crave-curbing, cheesy pasta.

Crispy but gooey “sammies” are minutes away thanks to the power of leftovers and Bobby Flay. Here, he pairs bacon, brie and goat cheese with green tomatoes for a unique take on a classic, one that’s worthy of dinner parties everywhere.

Cream of celery isn’t exactly the sexiest of soups, but if you’ve got extra blue cheese on hand, it’s a game-changer. The cheese, thyme and a splash of vermouth work wonders on this overlooked veggie, which isn’t just a vessel for peanut butter after all.

Kick your garlic bread up a (delicious) notch with the added comfort of ooey, melted cheese and spicy jalapenos. Ree Drummond’s take calls for white cheddar and jack cheese, but if you’ve got leftover Havarti, Gouda or Muenster, they work just as well.

This vegetarian dish is packed with protein and flavour thanks to Puy lentils and creamy goat cheese. Save time with canned lentils for a quick weeknight dinner that’s pretty much parfait.

Quiche is one of those versatile foods that’s great for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and it’s universal because really, anything goes. Especially leftover brie, which adds an extra silky flavour to those whipped eggs. Pair it with broccoli in this genius recipe from The Pioneer Woman for an easy meal.

Easily transform sharp, old cheddar into buttery squares of indulgent mac ‘n’ cheese with a few key pantry staples. These tasty tidbits are another perfect party app, but they’re equally consumable for dinner when balanced with a side salad.

If all you’re really looking for is a fancier way to nosh on bread and cheese, then this flavourful fondue is it. Gouda and lager pair with Emmental (or Swiss) for a hearty bowl of melted goodness. Speaking of bowl, we love that this one is edible.

Put that smoky, leftover Gouda to good use by sandwiching it between two pieces of grilled bread and pairing it with roasted red peppers and peppery arugula. The result is a grilled cheese sandwich that takes a bite out of #adulting.

What’s better than a perfectly cooked, buttery steak? One that is also topped with creamy, salty cheese. Invoke your inner five-star chef and break out the leftover blue or goat cheese for a wonderful filet mignon topper perfect any night of the week.

It’s perfectly acceptable to want to lighten up your plate post-holidays, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on taste. Make your carb-free pasta dreams come true with this cheesy spaghetti-squash concoction, which makes the most of leftover Parmesan.

Want to use up your cheese in a melty blaze of glory while still feeling slightly healthy? Assemble one of these super impressive stuffed cauliflowers, which incorporate cheesy, bacon goodness with actual veggie goodness. You’re welcome.