5 Creative Ways to Use Leftover Cheese

Parmesan Cheese
Credit: Pixabay/Waldrebell

If you’ve got cheese left over in your fridge and no idea what to do with it, listen up! We’ve got you covered with easy and creative ways to use leftover cheese in your every day cooking. Whether it's a few crumbs of blue cheese, the end of a cheddar block, or a piece of brie in the back of your fridge, there are plenty of delicious ways to give your cheese a new life. Here are 5 creative ways to use leftover cheese.

1. Melt It Into Something New

Melting is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to use up leftover cheese in everyday dishes. Turn leftovers into something warm, gooey, and satisfying!

Elevate Your Mac and Cheese Recipe
Mixing cheddar, Gruyère, mozzarella, or blue cheese adds depth and complexity to cheesy sauces. Even small amounts can level up boxed versions or homemade sauces. 

Create Your Own Tasty Béchamel Sauce for Vegetables or Pasta
Make a quick béchamel (butter, flour, milk), then stir in your leftover cheese to create a creamy sauce for broccoli, pasta, or even nachos.

Grilled Cheese Glow-Up
We all love a good grilled cheese - and they offer the perfect opportunity to use up any leftover cheese from your fridge! You can mix multiple cheeses for a flavour-packed lunch. 

2. Bake It Into Snacks or Meals

From muffins to quiches, baking is one of the tastiest ways to turn leftover cheese into something comforting and delicious.

Savoury Muffins or Scones
Crumbly cheeses like feta, aged cheddar, or parmesan add richness to savoury baked goods like muffins and scones. Add some herbs or chopped olives for extra flair.

Frittatas and Quiches
Egg-based dishes are cheese-friendly by nature! Throw in some veggies, leftover meats, and any cheese that melts well - think fontina, brie, or jack - for an easy meal.

Cheese-Stuffed Pastries
Wrap leftover cheese in puff pastry with a spoonful of chutney or pesto. Bake until golden and gooey for an elegant appetiser or snack.

3. Add Flavour to Everyday Dishes

Leftover cheese can turn ordinary dishes into something special - you don’t need to be a pro in the kitchen to know that cheese can take any dish to the next level.

Use for a Salad Topping
Crumble blue cheese, goat cheese, or feta over greens, grains, or roasted vegetables for instant flavour and creaminess.

Stir Into Oatmeal
Savory breakfasts are trending. Adding shredded cheese to warm oats with an egg on top is a delicious and easy way to use your leftover cheese. Cheddar, gouda, or parmesan all work beautifully.

Mix Into Mashed Potatoes or Polenta
Add leftover soft or melty cheeses to your side dishes for creamy, cheesy comfort food with no extra effort.

4. Freeze for Future Recipes

Most hard cheeses (cheddar, parmesan, jack) freeze well when shredded. Store them in airtight bags and use them later in baked dishes or sauces. 

5. Add Cheese to Your Dessert

Mascarpone, ricotta, and cream cheese are naturals in sweets. But even blue cheese pairs beautifully with honey, figs, or dark chocolate!

Cream Cheese Chocolate Mousse
Perfect for leftover cream cheese, a chocolate mousse is easier to make than you might think. Simply whip together softened cream cheese, melted dark chocolate, a touch of vanilla, and whipped cream for a rich, velvety dessert.

Ricotta and Honey Stuffed Crepes
Use leftover ricotta to make delicate crepes filled with a sweet ricotta and honey mixture. Add a sprinkle of lemon zest and fresh berries for a tasty and light dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

No matter what kind of cheese you have leftover, a little creativity can turn it into something delicious, so don’t let those tasty bits go to waste!