Delicate Jewish stomachs vs. dairy is an age-old struggle we’re sure many of you are familiar with. A struggle that rears its ugly head around Shavuot, a holiday when it’s traditional to feast on dairy foods and Jews are forced to choose between cheesecake and a night in the bathroom.
If you opt for the former (or have a stash of Lactaid on hand), we’ve rounded up 27 creamy, melty, rich Jewish cheese recipes worth a stomach ache. Dig in.
Savory
Easy Cheddar Cheese Coins
Bake up these easy, cheesy crackers for a retro appetizer or an umami twist on Hanukkah gelt.
The Flakiest Cheese and Spinach Bulemas
These Sephardic pastries are crispy, flaky, cheesy heaven.
Matzah Mac & Cheese
Don’t let the matzah put you off; this recipe is good enough to eat year-round.
Pull-Apart Challah Stuffed with Cheese and Guava
Bring a taste of Cuba to your Shabbat table with these pillowy pockets of challah stuffed with sweet-as-candy guava paste and velvety cream cheese.
Georgian Cheese Boat (Khatchapuri)
These Georgian cheese boats are pure comfort food – even if you’ve never tried them before.
Noodles and Cottage Cheese
Speaking of simple comfort food, this Ashkenazi classic tastes like home.
Cheesy Greek Triangles
These golden, savory-sweet pastries are perfect to wow a crowd.
Spinach and Kashkaval Cheese Bourekas
These coiled “ropes” of dough stuffed with salty cheese and greens are our summer dinner of choice.
Mac and Cheese Noodle Kugel
Noodle kugel like you’ve never experienced it before.
Adeena Sussman’s Roasted Tomato and Labneh Pappardelle
Italy meets the Middle East in this sunny pasta dish garnished with fresh za’atar.
Pizza Bourekas
These indulgent, travel-sized treats come together in 30 minutes and are guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread Babka
If you still need persuading we can’t help you.
Broccoli and Cottage Cheese Pancake
These “levivot” (Israeli savory pancakes) have stood the test of time for good reason – but no low-fat cottage cheese allowed.
Summer Pesto and Gruyere Stuffed Challah
A deliciously unique challah experience.
Israeli Couscous Mac & Cheese
You might not think that subbing ptitim (aka Israeli cous cous) for macaroni would make a big difference to this iconic dish… but prepare for your mind to be blown.
Cheese and Herb Rugelach
A sophisticated appetizer that may well turn into a whole meal because they’re that good.
Everything Bagel Bourekas
Store-bought staples sing in this delicious bourekas recipe that’ll have everyone clamoring for more.
Zucchini, Manchego and Potato Pashtida
If you feel “meh” about quiche, this creamy, versatile Israeli pashtida will convert you to the quiche club.
Cheesy-Stuffed Latkes
The cheese pull of your dreams.
The Best Ever Cheese Sambusak
“These are by far the BEST sambusaks ever. I’ve tried so many recipes and none come even close to this one. The dough is airy and light not crumbling.” – Mushky, 5 stars.
Sweet
Sweet Cheese Blintzes
These sweet cheese blintzes with blueberry compote will be the star of your next brunch party.
Labneh Ice Cream with Halva
Think of this as the best frozen yogurt ever. Top with tahini, silan (date honey) and crumbled halvah for the bite of your life.
Israeli Cheesecake
This simple, buttery cheesecake can be made in advance and frozen for up to three months – so you can sneak a slice whenever the craving hits.
Lemon-Poppy Cream Cheese Babka
We won’t lie: This babka is a bit of work, but the result is totally worth it. Bookmark this for your next baking project.
Rugelach Bread Pudding Cheesecake
It’s giving chocolate rugelach, it’s giving cheesecake, it’s giving bread pudding, it’s giving heaven.
Bessarabian Cheese Buns
The flavors of sweet noodle kugel wrapped in a brioche-like dough, served with a dollop of sour cream and sliced strawberries.
Labneh and Fig Tart with Olive Oil Crust
A sweet dessert perfect for summer.
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