This post contains some of our most delicious easy cheesy recipes for dinner that take little time to make. Did you know that cheese is one of the most versatile ingredients? It goes perfectly with almost any type of food, and there are many different types. Do you prefer bold or mild flavors? Soft or firm texture? The possibilities are endless!
Cheesy dinner ideas
Instead of just serving guests a few slices of cheese with a drizzle of oil (which is OK, too!) why not play around with this ingredient and give it a new spin? Here are some cheesy dinner ideas:
Cheese omelet recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar or Emmental cheese
- A drizzle of Italica Olive Oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
Directions
This single-serving recipe is great for making a quick dinner with a touch of cheese.
Beat the eggs in a bowl using a fork and add a bit of salt and pepper.
Grate the cheese and set it aside.
Heat a skillet on the stove and add half a tablespoon of olive oil. Pour the eggs and slowly turn the skillet to distribute the mixture evenly.
As the eggs begin to solidify, sprinkle the cheese on top. Important! Be sure to add the cheese when the eggs are still uncooked on top instead of waiting until the last minute. This will allow the cheese to melt within the omelet.
Using a spatula, release the edges of the omelet and then fold it in half.
When it begins to turn golden, remove the skillet from the stove and the omelet is ready.
Chef’s tip
We can add other ingredients to our omelet to create a different flavor combination. For example, sautéed onions, diced ham, etc. These items can be added to the egg mixture in the bowl or when we sprinkle the shredded cheese.
Cheese sticks
Ingredients
- 8 oz. soft cheese (such as Emmental, Gouda or mozzarella)
- 3 eggs
- Breadcrumbs
- A pinch of salt
- Italica Olive Oil
Directions
Cheese sticks are an easy cheesy recipe for dinner that will serve the entire family since it makes four servings.
First, beat the eggs and add a pinch of salt. Cut the cheese into elongated cubes, like a finger.
Dip each cheese stick into the egg mixture, then gently roll it in the breadcrumbs and repeat, dipping it back into the egg mixture and rolling it once again in the breadcrumbs so it is thoroughly coated.
Once all of the cheese sticks have been coated, place them in the refrigerator for one hour to thoroughly seal the breading to the cheese.
Then, fry them in a generous amount of hot oil for one minute. When removing them from the skillet, place them on paper towels to absorb the oil. They’re ready!
Chef’s tip
You can accompany your cheese sticks with a sauce for an extra flavor combination. We recommend tomato sauce, barbecue sauce or even cheese sauce. With the latter, you’ll end up with the perfect mix.
Gooey Broccoli and Cheddar Stromboli
This recipe takes a little longer to prepare, but it won’t take more than an hour in the kitchen. It is designed for 4 to 6 people, so it is recommended for when you want to invite some friends over for dinner.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp of Italica Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ½ small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 tsp. of minced garlic
- 2 large broccoli crowns (approximately 1 1/4 lbs.) cut into small florets
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
- Unbleached all-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 lb. of store-bought pizza dough, at room temperature
- 2 6-oz. bags of shredded cheese (more can be added)
- 1 jar (24 oz) of marinara sauce
Directions
The first step is to preheat the oven to about 400º F. We recommend that you keep it preheating while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Spread a tablespoon of olive oil on the baking tray and reserve it for later while preparing the mixture.
Add a tablespoon of oil to a large frying pan over medium-high heat, and add the onion. Start cooking and stirring until soft. This should take about 3 minutes. Repeat the steps of adding ingredients and stirring: first add the garlic and stir for another minute. Then add the broccoli and half a cup of water. Season with salt and pepper.
To allow the broccoli to steam, leave the pan covered. We want it to be tender but still green, so about 4 minutes on the heat will be enough. Then remove the lid and continue stirring the mixture so that the liquid evaporates completely. This can take between 30 seconds and a minute.
After this, we transfer the mixture to a medium heatproof bowl and add the basil to give it a touch of flavor. Leave to cool.
Take the dough and roll it out on a piece of kitchen paper or on a clean surface, in the shape of a rectangle, about 10 x 13 inches, to give you an idea.
Sprinkle half of the cheese over the dough, spreading the cheese evenly. If you have chosen two 6-ounce bags, pour one of them directly here. While doing so, leave a margin of about 3 inches on all sides, so that it looks like a frame.
Pour the previous mixture with the broccoli in an even layer over the cheese, and the rest of the cheese on top. In this way we will have 3 layers: cheese, broccoli and more cheese. Fold the edges over the filling and then roll up the dough along the longest part. The finished result should look like a log.
Place the stromboli on the prepared baking tray. Pour a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over the top of the dough. To finish it off, make 5 even cuts on the top with a sharp knife.
Cooking time: Brown the stromboli in a 400°F oven for 25-30 minutes. Once fully baked, remove from the oven and let it cool a bit. Serve with the marinara sauce for dipping.
Chef’s tip
It is advisable to use spatulas to handle the stromboli and place it on the oven tray.
We also recommend preheating the marinara sauce before serving.
Marinated Cheese in olive oil recipe
A cheesy dinner idea that requires more prep time is marinated cheese in olive oil. Although this recipe only takes five minutes to cook, the entire process requires at least two months of maceration. If you like long-term undertakings, then try this recipe that boasts many nutritional properties.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Manchego or Parmesan cheese or similar (this is what we recommend, although you can use another type of cheese).
- 1 bottle of Italica Extra Virgin Olive Oil (16.9 oz.)
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
- 1 glass jar with a wide opening
Directions
If the jar is large enough, place the entire piece of cheese inside, but if not, then cut it up into smaller pieces (an added benefit of this is that the cheese will be ready to eat once the maceration process is complete).
After placing the cheese inside the jar, add the sprig of rosemary, add enough oil to cover the contents, cover the jar and place it in the lower part of the refrigerator. It does not need to be very cold, as this is how cheese was preserved in the days when there were no refrigerators to keep food in.
The cheese will be ready for consumption in two months. This method will give the cheese a cellar-inspired flavor of greater quality.
Are two months really necessary? Not to eat it. However, the only way to give it that extra touch of quality is to wait. Be patient and in the meantime, try the recipes listed above for a new spin on cheese!
Chef’s tip:
Serve the cheese on a platter along with some walnuts, almonds and peanuts, as well as some raisins, dried figs, dried apricots, dates, etc.
Cheese health benefits
If you’re a cheese lover, congratulations: several studies indicate a link between cheese and the sharpness of cognitive abilities, among other foods.
Iowa State University research showed that cheese is by far the most protective food against age-related cognitive problems, even at older ages. Moreover, if cheese is accompanied by a glass of red wine, it also improves cognitive function. There’s no better excuse to have a leisurely dinner with a few pieces of cheese and a glass of wine!
