Dairy products are notoriously fussy when it comes to freezing. But if there’s a sale at the grocery store, it’s hard to resist the siren call of 2 for $4 cheese. Who doesn’t love melty, gooey, cheese recipes? But alas, cheese doesn’t last forever in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze cheese?
Yes! The general rule of thumb is that freezing cheese will likely change its texture. If you do opt to freeze cheese, cook with it after thawing because the texture change becomes a moot point once it’s all melted. Test it out in cheesy casserole recipes.
We don’t recommend using the thawed slices on your pretty charcuterie boards. And you definitely don’t want to freeze the fancy stuff you bought for snacking with homemade crackers.
The Best Cheese to Freeze
Hard block cheeses are ideal for freezing—think Parmesan, cheddar and Monterey Jack. Because of their low moisture content, these cheeses can better withstand the freezing process. Cottage cheese and ricotta can be frozen. However, upon thawing, both cheeses are likely to have a grainier texture. As with most frozen cheeses, these cheeses are best used in baked or cooked recipes, such as lasagna.
The Worst Cheese to Freeze
Cheeses with a lot of water content, such as fresh mozzarella or burrata, are not good candidates for freezing because they are more likely to form ice crystals as they freeze. Soft cheeses, especially those with natural rinds, should not be frozen as their flavor may be compromised by the freezing process.
How to Freeze Cheese
Cheese blocks
Prepackaged cheese blocks can be frozen directly in their package. If you’ve already opened the package, place it in a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. Double bag to help prevent freezer burn.
Sliced cheese
TMB Studio
For prepackaged sliced cheese, pop the package into a freezer bag and place it in the freezer. For deli-sliced cheese, place a piece of parchment paper in between each slice of cheese. Then wrap the cheese in freezer paper, tape it shut and place the whole package in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container.
Shredded cheese
For prepackaged shredded cheese, place the package in a freezer bag before putting it in the freezer. For cheese you shred or grate yourself, place it in a freezer bag and carefully remove as much air as possible from the bag. Freezing food this way helps prevent freezer burn.
How long does cheese last in the freezer?
Frozen cheese should be used within two to three months. Once you have thawed cheese that has been frozen, do not refreeze it.
How to Thaw Cheese
Thaw frozen cheese in the refrigerator. Depending on the type and size of the cheese, it will take anywhere from a few hours to overnight to thaw completely.
Will frozen cheese taste different?
Freezing cheese should not result in much change to its flavor. It’s really just the texture that’s likely to change. The caveat is that if you place poorly packaged cheese in a smelly freezer, the funky smells could permeate the blocks or slices.
Our Cheesiest Recipes
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese
These gooey grilled cheese sandwiches taste great for lunch with sliced apples. And they're really fast to whip up, too. Here's how to make grilled cheese the right way. —Kathy Norris, Streator, Illinois
Go to Recipe
Skillet Mac & CheeseThis creamy mac ’n’ cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
Pepperoni-Sausage Stuffed PizzaFor 30 years, friends have been telling me to open a pizzeria using this recipe. It even freezes well. —Elizabeth Wolff, Carmel, Indiana
Deep-Fried Mac & Cheese ShellsI created this deep fried mac and cheese recipe for my husband. He describes this recipe as unbelievably delicious because of the crispy deep-fried coating on the outside and the creamy richness on the inside. —Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida
Cheesy BBQ Beef DipBarbecued beef dip is a holiday staple in our house. My husband can't get enough! —Selena Swafford, Dalton, Georgia
Garlic-Cheese FlatbreadUnless you plan to make two, don't count on leftovers. As an appetizer or side, this cheesy flatbread will be devoured in less time than it takes to bake. And that's not long! —Suzanne Zick, Maiden, North Carolina
Slow-Cooker Cheesy White LasagnaHere’s my best version of my favorite food—lasagna! The recipe is a winner, so it’s worth the extra prep. You’ll have plenty of time to plan side dishes while the main dish is cooking. —Suzanne Smith, Bluffton, Indiana
Hot Cheese DipWhen a colleague brought this cheesy dip to school for a teachers potluck, I immediately gave it an A+. I had to have the recipe for this irresistibly creamy recipe to make for my family! —Ardyce Piehl, Poynette, Wisconsin
Cheeseburger SoupA local restaurant serves a similar cheeseburger soup but wouldn't share its recipe with me. I developed my own, modifying a recipe I already had for potato soup. I was really pleased with the way this all-American dish turned out. —Joanie Shawhan, Madison, Wisconsin
Tomato-French Bread LasagnaFor a big hearty meal, I make this recipe as a side dish to go with veal cutlets or a roast. But you could also serve the beefy lasagna as a main dish. Just pair it with a tossed green salad and loaf of garlic bread. —Patricia Collins, Imbler, Oregon
Meatball FlatbreadAs amazing as this flatbread is, you would never guess how unbelievably easy it is to make. And hiding veggies in the sauce is a clever trick, especially if you have kids. For a crunchy crust, bake the naan in the oven until slightly crispy on top before adding the tomato sauce. —Kimberly Berg, North Street, Michigan
Cheesy Chicken and Leek Phyllo PieIn our house, chicken potpie is a year-round staple. For a springtime feel, we use leeks and mushrooms and a lighter phyllo dough crust. If you don't have gruyere, try Parmesan. —Andrea Stewart, Toronto, Ontario
Poppy Seed Cheese BreadThis easy-to-make bread goes well with a salad luncheon or a casserole dinner. But I especially like to serve it with spaghetti and pasta dishes. The cheese topping is its crowning glory! —Elaine Mundt, Detroit, Michigan
Homey Mac & CheeseI also call this "my grandson's mac and cheese." Zachary has been to Iraq and Afghanistan with both the Marines and Navy, and I've been privileged to make his favorite casserole for him for over 20 years. —Alice Beardsell, Osprey, Florida
Cheesy Pizza CasseroleI discovered this recipe in the reader's exchange page of our local electric cooperative's magazine. Serve it whenever you've got a crowd to please!—Judy Chandler, Franklin, Kentucky
Cheesy Hash BrownsThese cheesy hash browns were so popular at the morning meetings of our Mothers of Preschoolers group that we published it in our newsletter. It's a great dish for busy moms because it can be prepared ahead of time. It's perfect for brunches or to serve on Christmas morning. It's creamy, comforting and tasty. —Karen Burns, Chandler, Texas
Cheddar-Bacon DipBoth children and adults enjoy this dip. And I'm a fan because it's so quick and easy to prepare. I make it for special occasions…birthdays, Christmas parties and more. —Carol Werkman, Neerlandia, Alberta
Cheesy QuesadillasWe serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado
Three-Cheese Jumbo ShellsI love cooking, but I'm not into fancy gourmet foods. I think it's more challenging to make delicious, down-home foods like this beefy casserole with ingredients easily found in the refrigerator and on my pantry shelves. —Marjorie Carey, Alamosa, Colorado
The Best Ever LasagnaMy brother, Joe, created this lasagna based on our mom’s recipe. It’s a family favorite at Christmas, thanks to the special ingredients that make it
magnifico. —Stephanie Marchese,
Taste of Home Visual Production Director
Cheese GritsAs a comfy side dish, cheese grits have fantastic potential but sometimes need a flavor boost. For add-ins, try red pepper flakes, fresh rosemary or crushed garlic. —Paula Hughes, Birmingham, Alabama
Cheesy Sausage StromboliI've had a hundred requests for this recipe over the years. Perfect for brunch or as an evening snack, this sausage-filled bread is not tricky to make—and I never have to worry about storing leftovers! —Vada McRoberts, Silver Lake, Kansas
Cheesy Corn CasseroleI've had this cheesy corn casserole recipe for years, and my family still asks for it all the time. Our son, who is not a big vegetable eater, says it's one of his favorites.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Cheesy Ham ChowderMy five children all agree that this soothing recipe is wonderful. The soup is full of potatoes, carrots and ham. The best part is that I can get it on the table in only a half hour of hands-on time. —Jennifer Trenhaile, Emerson, Nebraska
Pizza DipYou can assemble this easy appetizer in a jiffy. The pizza dip goes very fast, so you may want to make two batches. —Stacie Morse, South Otselic, New York
Cheesy Chicken 'n' ShellsWhen our friend served us this entree, I asked her for the recipe right away. It was so good, I thought I would share it with others. I cut the recipe down for a meal or two, but it can easily be doubled or tripled. —Jodee Harding, Mount Vernon, Ohio
Mini Grilled CheeseIf you're looking for a fantastic make-ahead snack, try these miniature grilled cheese sandwiches. They're nice to have in the freezer for lunch with soup or a salad. My family loves to nibble on them anytime. —Anita Curtis, Camarillo, California
Curry Cheese SpreadI made this creamy spread with my students and it was a big success. It is easy to make and the flavor contrasts make it interesting. Toasty bread slices are the perfect compliment.
Paula Englert, Louisville, Kentucky
Hearty Taco DipI created this great dip by accident one day when I wanted to make a taco casserole but discovered I didn't have all the ingredients. —Claudia Jacobsen, Luverne, North Dakota
Mozzarella Baked SpaghettiThis satisfying easy baked spaghetti recipe comes together and will please everyone at your table. Add a salad and breadsticks, and dinner's done. —Betty Rabe, Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Buffalo Macaroni and Cheese BitesIn this vegetarian Buffalo-style appetizer, macaroni and cheese get heated up with Louisiana-style hot sauce, then breaded and baked. These tasty nibbles are served with blue cheese dressing. —Ann Donnay, Milton, Massachusetts
Party Cheese BreadYou can't go wrong with this cheese bread recipe. The cheesy, butter bread is so simple to make but the taste is sinful. Plus it looks fantastic, and people just flock to it! It's better than the usual garlic bread with pasta, too. —Karen Grant, Tulare, California
Best LasagnaWant to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois
Three-Cheese FondueI got this easy recipe from my daughter, who lives in France. It’s become my go-to fondue, and I make it often for our family.—Betty A. Mangas, Toledo, Ohio
Fiesta Beef & Cheese Skillet CobblerI tweaked my beefy skillet cobbler until it achieved the wow factor. It's now a family tradition. Top it off with lettuce, avocado, cherry tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Best Ever Grilled Cheese SandwichesYou can also use your imagination to come up with other grilled cheese sandwich ideas, such as chives, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or Italian seasoning, and even a spoonful of salsa. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Italian Three-Cheese MacaroniMy husband is a self-proclaimed mac-and-cheese connoisseur and says that this is his favorite version. The Italian seasoning and tomatoes really complement the pasta and cheeses. —Adriane Mummert, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Potluck Macaroni and CheeseYou'll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here's an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts
Five-Cheese Spinach & Artichoke DipWhenever I go to an event, I'm always asked to bring this hot dip. Five types of cheese make it a standout and oh-so delicious. I love its party-ready convenience—I serve it straight from the slow cooker, so set-up and cleanup are a breeze! —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grilled Goat Cheese & Arugula SandwichesTo create a more “grown-up” grilled cheese sandwich, I threw in tangy goat cheese and peppery arugula. I enjoy a similar combination on pizza, and it worked here, too! —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California
Twice-Baked Cheddar Potato CasseroleBacon, cheddar and sour cream turn ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary twice baked potato casserole. It's one of our family's beloved standards for the holidays. —Kyle Cox, Scottsdale, Arizona
Favorite Chili CheeseburgersI like to experiment when making hamburgers and stuffing them with sharp Cheddar cheese makes them absolutely delicious. For lighter fare, I sometimes use a combination of lean ground beef and ground turkey. —Deb Williams, Peoria, Arizona
Three-Cheese Meatball MostaccioliWhen my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is meatball magic. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Pizza Monkey BreadI cannot throw a party without making this recipe. It's fast and easy, and my kids love it. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California
