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
![cheddar cheese coins recipe](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sonya-Sanford-cheesecoins1-1350x900.jpg)
Bake up these easy, cheesy crackers for a retro appetizer or an umami twist on Hanukkah gelt.
![bulemas pastry recipe sephardic](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/bulemasheader-1.png)
These Sephardic pastries are crispy, flaky, cheesy heaven.
![matzah Mac and cheese recipe passover main jewish](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Matzah-mac-and-cheese-main.jpg)
Don’t let the matzah put you off; this recipe is good enough to eat year-round.
![](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/guava-challah-edit-e1464376186941.jpeg)
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.
![khatchapuri Georgian cheese boats recipe easy dinner Shavuot](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/khatchapuri-main.jpg)
These Georgian cheese boats are pure comfort food – even if you’ve never tried them before.
![easy noodles and cream cheese recipe jewish dinner Shavuot](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Noodles-and-Cottage-Cheese-Main.jpg)
Speaking of simple comfort food, this Ashkenazi classic tastes like home.
![savory hamantaschen recipe purim appetiser jewish phyllo recipe](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Greek-phyllo-triangles-1600x900.jpg)
These golden, savory-sweet pastries are perfect to wow a crowd.
![](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Burek_Big-Boureka-ed-FI-1600x900.jpg)
These coiled “ropes” of dough stuffed with salty cheese and greens are our summer dinner of choice.
![savory kugel recipe Mac and cheese jewish](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mac-and-Cheese-kugel-photo-credit-Getty-Images-e1712049079106-1598x900.jpg)
Noodle kugel like you’ve never experienced it before.
![](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ED-FI-Roasted-Tomato-and-Labaneh-Pappardelle.jpg)
Italy meets the Middle East in this sunny pasta dish garnished with fresh za’atar.
![easy pizza bourekas recipe weeknight dinner Israeli](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/pizza-boureka-main.jpg)
These indulgent, travel-sized treats come together in 30 minutes and are guaranteed to become a family favorite.
![savory babka recipe jewish cheese](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cheesy-garlic-bread-babka2.jpg)
If you still need persuading we can’t help you.
![broccoli cheese pancakes](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/broccoli-cheese-pancakes-main-1600x900.jpg)
These “levivot” (Israeli savory pancakes) have stood the test of time for good reason – but no low-fat cottage cheese allowed.
![stuffed challah recipe cheese pesto shabbat](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/pesto-cheese-challah-main-e1715586556975-1598x900.jpg)
A deliciously unique challah experience.
![cous cous Mac and cheese](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/israeli-cous-cous-mac-and-cheese3-1-1352x900.jpg)
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.
![savoury rugelach cheese and herb cookies Italian jewish](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/SavoryHerbRugelach-3.jpg)
A sophisticated appetizer that may well turn into a whole meal because they’re that good.
![everything but the bagel bourekas](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Everything-Bourekas-Main.jpg)
Store-bought staples sing in this delicious bourekas recipe that’ll have everyone clamoring for more.
![pashtida recipe easy Israeli quiche](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/leanne-shor-pashtida-FI-ed-1600x900.jpg)
If you feel “meh” about quiche, this creamy, versatile Israeli pashtida will convert you to the quiche club.
![cheese filled latkes recipe Hanukkah jewish](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/cheese-stuffed-latkes-main1-1600x900.jpg)
The cheese pull of your dreams.
![cheese sambusak pastry jewish break fast](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cheesesambusakheadernissim.png)
“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
21. How to Make Cheese Blintzes
![cheese blintzes recipe jewish Shavuot dessert](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Cheese-Blintzes-with-Blueberry-Compote.jpg)
These sweet cheese blintzes with blueberry compote will be the star of your next brunch party.
22. Labneh Ice Cream with Halva
![labneh ice cream recipe summer dessert](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/labneh-ice-cream.jpg)
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 recipe easy no-bake dessert Shavuot](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Israeli-cheesecake-main1-1600x900.jpg)
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.
24. Lemon-Poppy Cream Cheese Babka
![lemon poppy seed babka recipe sourdough jewish](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/lemon-poppy-seed-babka1-1600x900.jpg)
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.
25. Rugelach Bread Pudding Cheesecake
![](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Rugelach-Cheesecake-vertical2-600x900.jpg)
It’s giving chocolate rugelach, it’s giving cheesecake, it’s giving bread pudding, it’s giving heaven.
![](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Bessabarian-cheese-buns-main.jpg)
The flavors of sweet noodle kugel wrapped in a brioche-like dough, served with a dollop of sour cream and sliced strawberries.
27. Labneh and Fig Tart with an Olive Oil Crust
![](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/labne-fig-tart-full-1350x900.jpg)
Hello, gorgeous.