Recipes That Use Blue Cheese

Blue cheese rarely receives its due. While this pungent cheese can be visually off-putting, it can add salty and savory depth and sometimes even a hint of sweetness to dishes, depending on the variety. Whether you're using blue cheese to cut the heat in a spicy dish, balance the bitter greens in a salad, or enhance the natural sweetness of fruits and nuts, we're confident our collection of recipes will make blue cheese your go-to favorite.

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Black and Blue Steak Salad

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

View Recipe: Black and Blue Steak Salad

The black and blue salad, a combination of spice-rubbed, blackened chicken or steak and crumbled blue cheese, is a staple of the American gastropub menu. Unfortunately, the “salad” interpretation is a bit loose—the lettuce merely a bed for a Flinstone-sized protein serving, the butter-yellow croutons, tons of cheese, and creamy dressing blanketing all. We kept the chargrilled steak, blue cheese, and crisp croutons you love, then topped off with good-for-you avocado and a vinaigrette that complements the vegetables rather than disguise them. A little meat goes a long way: just 12 ounces is plenty to serve 4.

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Apricot-Blue Cheese Angels

Photo: Johnny Autry

View Recipe: Apricot-Blue Cheese Angels

Bake and freeze these bites up to a week in advance. Try a trio of flavors like a fig jam and goat cheese filling, or finely chopped apples tossed with honey and cinnamon.

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Chicken, Bean, and Blue Cheese Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette

Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Chicken, Bean, and Blue Cheese Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette

Leftover chicken, pasta, or any cooked green vegetable can go into this salad, making it a great fridge-clearer. Pungent blue cheese breathes new life into the rest of the ingredients. But even if you start from scratch, it's superfast and supereasy to make.

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Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball

Photo: Jonny Valiant

View Recipe: Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball

This retro-chic snack can be served with raw veggies, crackers, or toasted whole grain bread. Medjool dates add natural sweetness and chewy texture, while blue cheese creates the ideal salty, tangy contrast. Bonus: you can prepare it up to two days in advance.

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Seared Steak with Tomato and Blue Cheese Salad

Photo: Jason Varney

View Recipe: Seared Steak with Tomato and Blue Cheese Salad

For a finishing touch of color and light, herby flavor, garnish the dish with chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley.

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Fig, Farro, and Blue Cheese Breakfast Salad

Photo: Ann Pittman

View Recipe: Fig, Farro, and Blue Cheese Breakfast Salad

This lovely combo makes perfect use for leftover farro (or quinoa, brown rice, wheat berries, barley, or whatever whole grain leftovers you have hanging out). When fresh figs aren’t in season, you can chop dried figs to use in the salad. If you don’t have white balsamic vinegar, you can use classic balsamic; it’ll just add more color to the plate. And if blue cheese is too strong a notion for you in the morning, try a milder feta or goat cheese.

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Risotto-Style Pasta with Caramelized Onions

Photo: Cary Norton

View Recipe: Risotto-Style Pasta with Caramelized Onions

When former Cooking Light Editor Scott Mowbray discovered tiny, rice-sized acini di pepe pasta, he immediately plotted a risotto strategy: gradually adding liquid until the pasta plumps. He learned from Keith Schroeder, our Cooking Class columnist, to toast the pasta for extra flavor (it almost tastes malted). The salt of the blue cheese balances the sweetness of the caramelized onions.

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Grilled Nectarine and Blue Cheese Bruschetta

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

View Recipe: Grilled Nectarine and Blue Cheese Bruschetta

If you have raw, unheated honey, reach for it first here. Wildflower, which means the bees foraged on everything they could, is also a good choice.

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Blue Cheese-Stuffed Chicken with Buffalo Sauce

Photo: Romulo Yanes, Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Blue Cheese-Stuffed Chicken with Buffalo Sauce

This stuffed chicken with an Americana-twist will have your mouth watering, but resist the urge to turn the chicken before it's time; otherwise you risk having the breading stick to the pan.

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Kale and Beet Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Kale and Beet Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

Together, hard-boiled eggs and walnuts give you the energy boost you need throughout the day. When you pair those two with pungent blue cheese and nutrient-dense kale and beets, you have one delicious, powerhouse salad.

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Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Gorgonzola

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Gorgonzola

Although often associated with empty carbs and loads of calories, mashed potatoes can show a lighter side. This cheesy variation clocks in at only 192 calories per serving, so feel free to indulge.

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Prosciutto, Pear, and Blue Cheese Sandwich

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Prosciutto, Pear, and Blue Cheese Sandwiches

A savory blend of salty and sweet flavors make the perfect pair between two slices of multigrain bread. Toast the bread in a pinch by arranging it on a baking sheet and broiling for three minutes.

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Linguine and Spinach with Gorgonzola Sauce

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Linguine and Spinach with Gorgonzola Sauce

Cloaked in a creamy Gorgonzola sauce, this rich-tasting pasta dish comes together in a flash.

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Pear, Blue Cheese, and Bacon Focaccia-Style Pizza

Photo: Jason Wallis

View Recipe: Pear, Blue Cheese, and Bacon Focaccia-Style Pizza

If you don't own a pizza pan, you can find inexpensive, disposable rimmed pizza pans at the supermarket. For a quick side, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup halved grape tomatoes, 5 cups mixed greens, 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, and 1/4 cup chopped pitted dates; toss to coat.

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Bacon and Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Bacon and Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs

Bacon and blue cheese pair well in so many dishes. Applying the combo to deviled eggs makes for a simply delightful treat.

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Pecan and Blue Cheese Brussels Sprout Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Pecan and Blue Cheese Brussels Sprout Salad

Drizzled with a simple vinaigrette, this side salad comes together in minutes. To save even more time, you can finely shred the brussels sprouts with a food processor.

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Hazelnut, Pear, and Blue Cheese Tart

Photo: Andrew Purcell

View Recipe: Hazelnut, Pear, and Blue Cheese Tart

Here's a beautiful, sophisticated, not-too-sweet dessert that captures the flavors of a great cheese course. If you don't have a rectangular tart pan, you can easily make this in a 9-inch round tart pan. For the boldest blue cheese flavor, go for Maytag or Roquefort; for a subtler effect, try Gorgonzola Dolce.

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Beet Hummus with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Beet Hummus with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

We love creating innovative hummus recipes, and Beet Hummus with Blue Cheese and Walnuts is no exception. This beautiful, crimson-colored dip is made with chickpeas, tahini, beets and garlic.

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BBQ Chicken and Blue Cheese Pizza

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: BBQ Chicken and Blue Cheese Pizza

The texture and flavors of this pie are sure to impress. Substitute fresh mozzarella for blue cheese to make a kid-friendly option.

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Endive Boats with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Endive Boats with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts

Let the ripeness of your pears determine how long you cook them. Soft, juicy fruit will only need to cook a minute or two; underripe fruit will need to go longer.

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Blue Cheese Polenta with Vegetables

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Blue Cheese Polenta with Vegetables

Savory blue cheese polenta topped with delicious veggies makes for a comforting and satisfying meal.

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Buttermilk and Blue Cheese Slaw

Photo: Stephen Devries

View Recipe: Buttermilk and Blue Cheese Slaw

This tangy, slightly spicy slaw comes together quickly for a last-minute side.

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Caramelized Onion-and-Blue Cheese Mini Burgers

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Caramelized Onion-and-Blue Cheese Mini Burgers

Small but loaded with flavor: Caramelized onions, blue cheese, arugula, and sirloin fill your mouth with sweetness and pungency.

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Endive Salad with Pear and Gorgonzola

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Endive Salad with Pear and Gorgonzola

Fresh pears and and gorgonzola take this low-effort endive salad to the next level.

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Creamy Butternut, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Cavatappi

Photo: John Autry/Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Creamy Butternut, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Cavatappi

Cavatappi pasta offers a fun element to an easy weeknight dish. Full of exquisite, flavors from the walnut and blue cheese, this dish offers a pleasant palate of tastes and textures.

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Creamy Gorgonzola Teff with Herb Roasted Tomatoes

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Creamy Gorgonzola Teff with Herb Roasted Tomatoes

Did you know teff is a tiny grain that cooks in just 20 minutes? It’s porridgy, like polenta, with a deep, toasty flavor, and can be enjoyed sweet for breakfast or savory with dinner, like in this tasty dish.

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Butternut Squash Gratin with Blue Cheese and Sage

Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Butternut Squash Gratin with Blue Cheese and Sage

This rich and hearty casserole is the ideal accompaniment to simple roast chicken or beef tenderloin. The browned breadcrumbs and bits of blue cheese are as appealing to the eyes as they are to the appetite.

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Peach and Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Peach and Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza

Ditch the tomato sauce and give pizza a makeover by topping with fresh peach slices and two types of cheese. A drizzle of tangy balsamic reduction provides the perfect balance to the sweet summer fruit.

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Grilled Blue Cheese Burgers

Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Grilled Blue Cheese Burgers

Though burgers are the epitome of casual grilling, these blue-cheese-filled patties add a touch of elegance. Reviewer liscali said, "These might just be the best burgers we've ever eaten. Although we followed the burger recipe faithfully, we like our burgers on English muffins instead of buns with whole grain Dijon mustard. These burgers are as moist and flavorful as they can be. Can't wait to serve them to company."

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Skirt Steak with Gorgonzola Polenta

Photo: Johnny Autry

View Recipe: Skirt Steak with Gorgonzola Polenta

Serve this meat-and-starch combo with steamed haricots verts or a mixed green salad. Garnish with fresh thyme.

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Blue Cheese-Bacon-Spinach Dip

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Blue Cheese-Bacon-Spinach Dip

The bold flavor of blue cheese and saltiness of the bacon give a creative punch to your average spinach dip. Serve with celery sticks for an added crunch.

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Pork Chops with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables and Gorgonzola

Photo: Christopher Testani

View Recipe: Pork Chops with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables and Gorgonzola

A quick balsamic vinaigrette doubles as a marinade for the vegetables and a sauce for the pork. Taking the roasting pan from stove to oven jump-starts cooking so the pork, potatoes, and onions finish at the same time.

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Polenta Squares with Gorgonzola and Pine Nuts

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Polenta Squares with Gorgonzola and Pine Nuts

Our polenta squares are impressive and delicious. These are also tasty with chopped, dried figs or cranberries in place of the currants.

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Spinach Salad with Gorgonzola, Pistachios, and Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Spinach Salad with Gorgonzola, Pistachios, and Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette

Red pepper jelly adds a snappy note to the vinaigrette that makes this simple salad memorable enough for an Easter dinner. You can prepare the vinaigrette earlier in the day and refrigerate; let it come to room temperature before tossing it with the spinach.

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Chicken and Roquefort Sandwiches

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Chicken and Roquefort Sandwiches

One serving of this entrée contains about one-fourth of your daily sodium allotment. We extend salty Roquefort cheese by mixing it with cream cheese as a spread. A 2-ounce portion size for bread also helps control sodium counts.

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Tomato Soup with Chicken and Gorgonzola Cheese

Beau Gustafson

View Recipe: Tomato Soup with Chicken and Gorgonzola Cheese

This one is for cheese lovers. A basic tomato soup gets a spicy hit of red pepper and some shredded chicken for body, but the real attraction is the strongly flavored Gorgonzola, which melts into the soup to add creaminess in addition to its distinctive pungent taste.

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Grilled Vegetable and Flank Steak Salad With Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Grilled Vegetable and Flank Steak Salad With Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

If you don't love blue cheese, try crumbled feta or grated Parmesan instead.

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Recipes That Use Blue Cheese

1 of 38

Black and Blue Steak Salad

2 of 38

Apricot-Blue Cheese Angels

3 of 38

Chicken, Bean, and Blue Cheese Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette

4 of 38

Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball

5 of 38

Seared Steak with Tomato and Blue Cheese Salad

6 of 38

Fig, Farro, and Blue Cheese Breakfast Salad

7 of 38

Risotto-Style Pasta with Caramelized Onions

8 of 38

Grilled Nectarine and Blue Cheese Bruschetta

9 of 38

Blue Cheese-Stuffed Chicken with Buffalo Sauce

10 of 38

Kale and Beet Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

11 of 38

Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Gorgonzola

12 of 38

Prosciutto, Pear, and Blue Cheese Sandwich

13 of 38

Linguine and Spinach with Gorgonzola Sauce

14 of 38

Pear, Blue Cheese, and Bacon Focaccia-Style Pizza

15 of 38

Bacon and Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs

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Pecan and Blue Cheese Brussels Sprout Salad

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Hazelnut, Pear, and Blue Cheese Tart

18 of 38

Beet Hummus with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

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BBQ Chicken and Blue Cheese Pizza

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Endive Boats with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts

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Blue Cheese Polenta with Vegetables

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Buttermilk and Blue Cheese Slaw

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Caramelized Onion-and-Blue Cheese Mini Burgers

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Endive Salad with Pear and Gorgonzola

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Creamy Butternut, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Cavatappi

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Creamy Gorgonzola Teff with Herb Roasted Tomatoes

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Butternut Squash Gratin with Blue Cheese and Sage

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Peach and Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza

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Grilled Blue Cheese Burgers

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Skirt Steak with Gorgonzola Polenta

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Blue Cheese-Bacon-Spinach Dip

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Pork Chops with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables and Gorgonzola

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Polenta Squares with Gorgonzola and Pine Nuts

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Spinach Salad with Gorgonzola, Pistachios, and Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette

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Chicken and Roquefort Sandwiches

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Tomato Soup with Chicken and Gorgonzola Cheese

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Grilled Vegetable and Flank Steak Salad With Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

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