If you just so happen to have a hankerin’ for simple, low-effort, but super comforting food, we’ve got you covered. Some of our favorite munchies recipes are naturally very cheesy recipes. And it doesn’t have to be fancy: nothing satisfies a craving like mac and cheese, right? And look! There’s even a sandwich called medianoche, literally “middle of the night,” because we know when you’ll be enjoying it. From cheesy nachos to the perfect grilled cheese, here are 15 ways to get your munchies snacking to a higher level.
Easiest Pizza Ever (Loaf Bread Pizza)
No time to make your own dough? Same here. Use a loaf of bread for the crust and have pizza ready in no time. Get the recipe for Easiest Pizza Ever (Loaf Bread Pizza) »
Cuban Medianoche Sandwich
With roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles, it’s almost identical to a Cuban sandwich, save for the bread, a sweet egg load that’s similar to challah. Get the recipe for Cuban Medianoche Sandwich »
Chicken Quesadillas
A homemade Mexican spice rub adds a gentle heat to the chicken and peppers in this uncomplicated dish. Get the recipe for Chicken Quesadillas »
Real Deal Ignacio-Style Nachos
A balance of pickly, salty, cheesy, and crisp, this recipe—inspired by the original—proves that simple is preferable when it comes to nachos. When deep-frying your own tortillas, look for soft tortillas made with all corn (and no flour) for the crunchiest results. Get the recipe for Real Deal Ignacio-Style Nachos »
Pineapple Salsa Hot Dog
Top your hot dog with pineapple, avocado, and red cabbage for added crunch and sweetness. Get the recipe for Pineapple Salsa Hot Dog »
The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
We’ve found that rolling these cookies into bigger portions, then refrigerating them for at least 2 hours before slightly under-baking them at 350°, results in incredibly gooey, soft chocolate chip cookies. Get the recipe for The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies »
Chile con Queso
This classic Tex-Mex dip comes from Lisa Fain (a.k.a. The Homesick Texan). With both serrano chiles and jalapeños, the dip has a bright spiciness that cuts through the richness of two cheeses. The tangy sour cream added at the end brings it over the top. Get the recipe for Chile con Queso »
Baked Rice Cake with Ham and Cheese
This easy cake version of arancini is a unique spin on Sicily’s popular fried rice balls. At Caffe Latino in Palermo, saffron-hued risotto-style rice is spread in a pan, layered with thinly shaved ham and mozzarella, and baked until crunchy and crisp on the outside for a unique version of the popular Sicilian fried rice balls called arancini. Be sure to use thinly sliced fresh mozzarella, which will add moisture and disperse evenly into each bite. This cake version of arancini can be prepared up to 2 days ahead of time and baked when you’re ready to serve. Get the recipe for Baked Rice Cake with Ham and Cheese »
Pork Roll Breakfast Sandwich
Make these hangover helpers with the processed meat pride of New Jersey: pork roll (a.k.a. Taylor ham). Get the recipe for Pork Roll Breakfast Sandwich »
Fettucine with Corn Crema and Charred Green Onions
For a creamy texture—without the cream—Philadelphia chef Marc Vetri purées fresh, starchy corn into a thick sauce that he then tosses with smoky scallions for a succulent summer pasta. Get the recipe for Fettucine with Corn Crema and Charred Green Onions »
Chivito (Uruguayan Cheesesteak) Sandwich
This is chef Ignacio Mattos’ version of a hearty cheesesteak sandwich that is served in restaurants and cafés throughout Uruguay. Get the recipe for Chivito (Uruguayan Cheesesteak) Sandwich »
Apple & Sausage Macaroni and Cheese
Fresh apples plus hard cider give this easy mac and cheese a double dose of fall flavor. Get the recipe for Apple & Sausage Macaroni and Cheese »
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese
The secret to making a perfect grilled cheese sandwich is cooking it over low heat, which brings out the subtle flavors of a cheese—Comté, with its semifirm texture and nutty taste, is great for grilling—and slathering the bread with butter, which crisps it in the pan. Get the recipe for The Ultimate Grilled Cheese »
Lasagna
Lasagna gets a bad rap for being a labor-intensive dish, but with a few shortcuts, like starting with store-bought lasagna sheets, you can make a great version any night of the week. Get the recipe for Lasagna »
Easy Chicken Parmesan
Simply bread your chicken (you could use veal or eggplant instead), fry it, layer with some easy homemade red sauce and mozzarella, and bake. Get the recipe for Easy Chicken Parmesan »