Processed Cheese
When a recipe calls for process American cheese, what exactly is it referring to? Does it mean Velveeta? —D.K., Sterling, Virginia
Process cheese is a blend of different cheeses that is similar in flavor to the natural cheese from which it's made. Generally, it is stable at room temperature and stays smooth and creamy when it is heated. The most common brand name of process American cheese is Velveeta. In the past, our recipes called for "process American cheese" when Velveeta was used. But recently, Velveeta's packaging changed and the label now reads "pasteurized prepared cheese product" instead. To avoid confusion, we are now listing "process cheese (Velveeta)" in recipes.