Of course, cheese is a staple in our diets all year round, but there’s something about the comforting taste and texture of certain cheeses which make them perfect for winter. Warm cheesy dishes or cheese fondue are especially popular plates when the temperature drops and you start to crave comfort food.

Sharing food and spending quality time with friends and family is one of the best things about winter. Whether it’s cosying up by the fire with Alpine cheese fondue or serving up a delicious pasta bake for all the family, cheese is the perfect accompaniment to any get-together. Take a look at some of our favourite winter warmer dishes.

Gratin

You can turn almost any dish into a gratin by melting grated cheese, and sometimes breadcrumbs, on the top of the shallow baking dish. A huge variety of savoury dishes can be served ‘au gratin’ with potatoes and vegetables being the most common examples. For something a bit different, why not follow our recipe for a butternut squash gratin?

Mac and Cheese

Is there anything more indulgent in wintertime than mac and cheese?! Macaroni cheese is a firm favourite all over the world, but not all are made equal! Creamy and cheesy goodness, you can choose from a range of flavours to add – pepper, nutmeg, truffle oil, garlic, mushrooms, bacon or breadcrumbs. Experiment with different ingredients and you’ll be surprised how many different mac and cheeses you can create. You should also try different cheeses too – we love using grated organic cheddar but you can also try mozzarella or parmesan.

Pasta Bakes

What we love about a traditional pasta bake is it is so versatile. There are so many different cheesy bakes to try. Most of the time you can make one from scratch with leftovers in your fridge or cupboard. It’s also a great choice for vegetarians. Pasta bakes are so tasty and wholesome. So, you don’t need to use the meat for flavour or to pad it out. A tomato pasta bake is simple and delicious, or if you have any smoked ham which needs eating then try making the Godminster cheddar, beetroot and ham pasta bake. 

Cooking with cheese is a joy in winter, as it adds that comforting feeling to almost any meal. Take a look at our recipes page for more inspiration.