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Is there a cheese more versatile than goat cheese? It’s got a pretty good case. It’s creamy but holds its shape when crumbled, so you can spread it or sprinkle it on for added richness and depth. It also goes with everything, from pastas to salads to sandwiches. Here’s how to start cooking more with this all-purpose cheese.

RELATED: Our Complete Guide to All Things Cheesy

"Farinata

Farinata with Summer Squash, Goat Cheese, and Preserved Lemon

While these savory chickpea pancakes are delicious plain, they also make an excellent canvas for roasted summer vegetables like zucchini. Get the recipe for Farinata with Summer Squash, Goat Cheese, and Preserved Lemon »
"Roast

Roast Chicken Pan Bagnat with Olive Tapenade and Goat Cheese

This hearty twist on the classic Provençal pressed sandwich pan bagnat combines black olive tapenade, goat cheese, roasted chicken, and thinly sliced vegetables. Make it at least two to three hours before you plan to serve it to really let the flavors marry. Get the recipe for Roast Chicken Pan Bagnat with Olive Tapenade and Goat Cheese »
"Goat

Goat Cheese and Apricot Truffles

This layered no-cook appetizer from former test kitchen assistant Eliza Martin features a sweet core of dried apricot coated in tangy goat cheese and then rolled in a savory mixture of crushed pistachios and fresh herbs. The finger-friendly “truffles” can be made up to 2 days before serving and stored in the refrigerator, making them the perfect hors d’oeuvres for the busy host or hostess. Get the recipe for Goat Cheese and Apricot Truffles »
"Radish
"Goat

Goat Cheese Crostini with Fig-Olive Tapenade

A tangy-sweet tapenade made with dried figs, kalamata olives, and capers is the perfect foil for mild goat cheese in this easy appetizer. Get the recipe for Goat Cheese Crostini with Fig-Olive Tapenade »
"Coeur

Coeur à la Crème with Caramelized Strawberries

Pepper, cloves and cinnamon give the bright strawberry sauce in this dessert a spicy kick, offsetting the rich creaminess of sweet cheese. Get the recipe for Coeur à la Crème with Caramelized Strawberries »
"Mesclun

Mesclun Salad with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Mesclun—a combination of slightly bitter baby greens and other greens like mizuna, arugula, and oak leaf—became all the rage in restaurants during the 1990s, eventually making its way onto supermarket produce shelves across the United States. This recipe incorporates other popular ingredients—goat cheese, pecans, dried cranberries—all dressed with balsamic vinaigrette. Get the recipe for Mesclun Salad with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette »
"Sweet

Shredded Collard Green Salad With Roasted Sweet Potatoes

"Salt-Roasted

Salt-Roasted Turnips with Goat Cheese and Greens

Kobe Desramaults uses almost no spices at his Michelin-starred restaurant In de Wulf, located in an isolated corner of Belgium. Here he relies on salt roasting to make these turnips, served on a bed of creamy goat cheese, buttery and tender. Get the recipe for Salt-Roasted Turnips with Goat Cheese and Greens »
"Purslane

Purslane and Herb Salad

Purslane, a sour-tasting green, forms the backbone of this refreshing herb salad from cookbook author Suzanne Zeidy, but watercress can be used in its place. Get the recipe for Purslane and Herb Salad »
"Cauliflower

Cauliflower and Goat Cheese Soufflés

"Goat

Goat Cheese and Strawberry Breakfast Tarts

A childhood breakfast treat gets an upgrade with strawberry jam and tangy goat cheese. Get the recipe for Goat Cheese and Strawberry Breakfast Tarts »
"Goat

Goat Cheese and Olive Tapenade Sandwich

The New York City restaurant Penelope serves a cult-favorite sandwich called the John Oliver: fresh goat cheese and a generous serving of kalamata olive tapenade together on (yes, really) toasted cranberry walnut bread. It’s an uncanny pairing: sweet, nutty, briny, and creamy all at once. Get the recipe for Goat Cheese and Olive Tapenade Sandwich »
"Onion

Onion Tart with Goat Cheese

This gorgeous tart has it all—sweetness from the caramelized onions, earthiness from the goat cheese, and a subtle saltiness from the anchovies. Get the recipe for Onion Tart with Goat Cheese »
"Orecchiette

Orecchiette with Rapini and Goat Cheese

"Seasonal

Seasonal Squash Tart

Get creative with the topping for this tart, which will help to really stretch leftover squash and other vegetables. Store-bought puff pastry makes a simple dish even simpler. Get the recipe for Seasonal Squash Tart »
"Grilled

Grilled Corn with Herbed Goat Cheese Butter

Sweet corn grilled in its husk is enhanced by an herbal goat cheese compound butter. Get the recipe for Grilled Corn with Herbed Goat Cheese Butter »
"Ham,

Ham, Cheese, Egg, and Lemon Sandwiches

Lemon curd and goat cheese lends this breakfast sandwich a pleasing tang. Get the recipe for Ham, Cheese, Egg, and Lemon Sandwiches »
"Leek

Leek Terrine with Goat Cheese

Leek Terrine with Goat Cheese
"Macaroni

Macaroni with Goat Cheese, Spinach, and Tomatoes

Fresh goat cheese makes a creamy, velvety sauce for pasta baked with spinach and topped with sliced tomatoes. Get the recipe for Macaroni with Goat Cheese, Spinach, and Tomatoes »

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