Cheese-Lover's Comfort Foods

If you love cheese, a melty dish topped with your favorite variety is what comfort food dreams are made of. Here are our chefs' best takes on macaroni and cheese — and more cheese-filled comforts.

Photo By: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Jessica Brooks ©© 2016, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Jessica Brooks ©© 2016, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

©(C)2009 JEREMIAH ALLEY

Photo By: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Lisa Leone, Brian Kennedy ©2011, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Kathryn Cooper

Photo By: Armando Rafael Moutela ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved. 2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Eggplant Parmigiana

Alex has two secrets for stellar eggplant Parmesan. First, if you have time, salt the eggplant rounds to remove excess moisture and temper any bitter flavor. Second, take the time to make a simple homemade tomato sauce.

Get the Recipe: Eggplant Parmigiana

Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions

Amp up this childhood classic by combining sweet caramelized onions with aged cheddar cheese. Griddle the sandwich in a skillet until golden brown and crusty, and serve it with a tangy bowl of tomato soup.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions

Disco Fries

Get the party started with Tiffani Thiessen's crispy fries drenched in cheddar-Gruyère cheese sauce and gravy.

Get the Recipe: Disco Fries

Cheesy Potatoes au Gratin

Rev up the richness factor of potatoes au gratin by adding Havarti, Gouda and Cheddar cheeses, then baking until golden and gooey.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Potatoes au Gratin

Mac 'N' Cheese with Bacon and Cheese

A mountain of shredded white cheddar gives Tyler's mac satisfying sharpness, and a few sprigs of thyme play well with the smoky bacon topping.

Get the Recipe: Mac 'N Cheese with Bacon and Cheese

Kelsey's French Onion Soup

Kelsey speeds up the cooking process for this rich onion soup by using crisped croutons under a blanket of nutty Gruyere cheese. 

Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup

Fresh Mozzarella Balls

Cut straight to the cheese chase with this fresh mozzarella.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Mozzarella Balls

Scalloped Potatoes au Gratin

Kelsey's ultra-creamy gratin is an essential recipe for any cheese lover. Infused with fresh thyme and garlic, this bubbly cheddar and Gruyere dish takes just 15 minutes to bake.

Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes au Gratin

Italian Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni

Kelsey rolls homemade sheets of pasta to make these cannelloni, which are stuffed with a sweet Italian sausage and ricotta filling, then slathered with her simple red sauce.

Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage, Spinach, and Ricotta Cannelloni

Pasta al Forno

Pasta al forno translates simply to "oven-baked pasta," but the ingredients included are as varied as the imaginations of their recipe creators. This dish is satisfyingly salty thanks to olives and sun-dried tomatoes lurking beneath the thick mozzarella topping.

Get the Recipe: Pasta Al Forno: Oven Baked Pasta

Chuck's Awesome Poutine

Chuck has mastered Canada's favorite comfort food: poutine. To make it, top hot french fries with fresh cheese curds and brown gravy.

Get the Recipe: Chuck's Awesome Poutine

Parmesan-Crusted Grilled Cheese

To craft this towering two-for-one comfort food hybrid, Kelsey piles homemade mac and cheese, hot peppers and tomato slices onto brioche slices, then griddles the sandwich over piles of grated Parmesan to create a crisp, nutty crust.

Get the Recipe: Parmesan-Crusted Grilled Cheese

Cauliflower and Broccoli Gratin Mac and Cheese

Whole-wheat pasta stands up to the slightly bitter flavor and firm texture of broccoli and cauliflower. Rachael tops the dish with sour cream, sharp cheddar and chives.

Get the Recipe: Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin Mac n Cheese

Roger Mooking's Mozzarella Gratin

Honey and capers add surprising sweet, briny flavor to this bubbling bowl of melted Buffalo mozarella. When the bread crumb topping has browned, this broiled cheese ready for gratuitious dipping.

Get the Recipe: Buffalo Mozzarella Gratin

Melanzane Alla Parmigiana

Debi and Gabriele's version of eggplant Parmesan layers thin slices of fried eggplant with homemade red sauce, mounds of mozzarella and fresh basil. This restaurant favorite is even better at home, baked until bubbly.

Get the Recipe: Melanzane Alla Parmigiana (Eggplant Parmigiana)

Crab Cake Mac and Cheese

This hybrid of two classics uses nutty Gruyere cheese alongside lump crabmeat. But the real kicker is the seafood seasoning, worked into the cheese sauce and sprinkled generously on top of the individual crocks alongside a panko breadcrumb topping.

Get the Recipe: Crab Cake Mac N Cheese

Mozzarella in Corrozza

Translated as "mozzarella in a carriage," this simple Italian treat sandwiches mozzarella di bufala between egg-battered bread slices, which are then fried until crusty and oozing with melted cheese.

Get the Recipe: Mozzarella in Corrozza

Penne ai Quattro Formaggi

Debi and Gabriele give mac and cheese an Italian identity by baking mezze pasta (similar to penne, but shorter) with a mixture of pungent cheeses like Taleggio and Gorgonzola in 6-ounce ramekins.

Get the Recipe: Penne ai Quattro Formaggi (Mac 'n' Cheese)

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Kelsey adds sweet, savory and spicy notes to her grilled cheddar cheese sandwich with the addition of apple, bacon and mustard.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Shrimp Bisque Poutine

The cheese curd-covered Canadian specialty gets an underwater update when slathered in Kelsey's homemade, sherry-laced shrimp gravy.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Bisque Poutine

Rachael's Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Cheese is a great topping for both pasta and cauliflower, so why not combine them? Rachael tops the veggie-noodle mix with a sauce laced with cheddar, Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses.

Parmesan Spoon Bread

An example of Southern food at its finest, spoon bread is simple yet satisfying. This savory pudding comes together with just a few standard pantry ingredients and a handful of fresh Parmesan.

Get the Recipe: Parmesan Spoon Bread

Kelsey's Skillet Bacon Mac and Cheese

How can you make mac and cheese just a little bit more decadent? Top it with bacon and crunchy panko breadcrumbs.

Get the Recipe: Skillet Bacon Mac and Cheese

Jamie's Easy Cheese Fondue

Fondue is a cheese lover's dream; luckily, it's also a snap to make. Dippers are up to you, but Jamie likes homemade croutons, breadsticks and roasted potatoes.

Get the Recipe: Easy Cheese Fondue

Spaghetti Alla Carbonara

Parmesan cheese and bacon play a starring role in this creamy Italian classic.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Alla Carbonara

Goat Cheese Quiche With Prosciutto

Fold creamy goat cheese into quiche custard for a light, tangy base, then top with thinly sliced prosciutto and fresh arugula.

Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Quiche with Prosciutto

Baked Mac and Cheese With Duck Sausage

Nadia G. gives classic mac and cheese an upgrade with some high-quality ingredients: cured duck sausage, Brie cheese and aged cheddar.

Get the Recipe: Baked Mac 'N Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Duck Sausage

Hungry Girl's Too-EZ Mac 'n' Cheese

Can comfort food be fast and healthy? It's possible with Hungry Girl's combo of frozen broccoli and cheese, cooked rotini and creamy cheese wedges.

Get the Recipe: Too-EZ Mac 'n Cheese

Green Onion Spoonbread

Halfway between grits and cornbread, Emeril's creamy cornmeal-based side dish is flavored with cheddar and chives.

Get the Recipe: Green Onion Spoonbread

Aida's Cheese Quesadilla

Sandwich three cheeses and spicy roasted jalapenos between flour tortillas, then serve with tomatillo salsa.

Get the Recipe: Three Cheese Quesadillas

Baked Potato Soup

Aida combines all the flavors of a loaded baked potato — bacon, green onion, sour cream, chives and cheddar cheese — into a hearty, comforting one-dish meal.

Get the Recipe: Baked Potato Soup

Sage Butter Macaroni and Four Cheeses

Aida mixes four cheeses — Parmesan, cheddar, Gruyere and mascarpone — and fresh sage into her grown-up macaroni and cheese.

Get the Recipe: Sage Butter Macaroni and Four Cheese

Mozzarella in Carrozza

Sandwich mozzarella and salty anchovy fillets between crustless bread, then dip in an eggy batter and pan-fry for this Italian take on grilled cheese.

Get the Recipe: Mozzarella In Carrozza