It’s Official: This State Has the Best Cheese
Updated: Nov. 17, 2021
Cheesemaking is such an art, the industry even has its own Oscars. We're more than a little excited that Wisconsin cheese took top billing!
This past weekend at the 35th annual American Cheese Society Competition (also known as the ACS), judges confirmed what our tastebuds have long been telling us: Wisconsin cheese really is the best.
What Happened at This Year’s ACS Competition?
The 2018 ACS competition is regarded as the Oscars of the cheese industry. It receives nearly 2,000 entries each year; cheeses come from 259 companies in 35 states in the U.S. and five Canadian provinces, as well as Mexico, Colombia and Brazil.
America’s Dairyland maintained a 14-year winning streak, capturing more awards than any other state or country. U.S. cheesemakers from California and Vermont took second and third overall honors, respectively, with Oregon and Pennsylvania also finishing strong.
Sweeping 94 of all 364 medals awarded (that’s an impressive 26%), Wisconsin cheesemakers dominated in five specialty categories. Here are some spots where they won 1st Place—and the recipes we’d make with that cheese:
- Brick Cheese—Widmer’s Cheese Cellars took the prize for its cow’s milk cheese. Grate some brick into one of our top 10 mac ‘n’ cheese recipes
- Brick Muenster—Congrats to the folks at Klondike Cheese Co. for their ultimate Muenster, which would be perfect in this blue-ribbon winning cheesy bread.
- Italian Type Cheeses—Sprinkle BelGioioso’s winning Parmesan over pretty much any 13×9 casserole.
- Flavored Feta—Try Klondike’s Odyssey Tomato & Basil Feta in this Feta Shrimp Skillet.
- Curds—Springside Artisan Cheese has the best cheddar curds around. Fry ’em up, baby!
Why We Love Wisconsin Cheese
Well, Wisconsin is home to the best cheese in the world—and the Taste of Home HQ! Our state also produces 48% of the specialty cheese in the U.S. and currently holds the title for 2017 U.S. Champion Cheese. All of this adds up to one very well-stocked Test Kitchen (take a peek behind the scenes) where we tackle all sorts of cooking challenges in the name of cheese.
All home-state pride aside, as our best-loved recipes reveal, we love cheese—like, all of it. We’ve tried cheese from all four corners of the country and every state in between, and we’ve yet to try one we didn’t want to sample again. You’ll want to see the most cheesy recipes we’ve ever made!
With so many award-winning cheeses and endless recipe inspo, the hardest decision is which one to make first.
The Cheesiest Recipes We've Ever Made
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
Skillet Mac & Cheese
This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids always go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
Deep-Fried Mac & Cheese Shells
I 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 Dip
Barbecued beef dip is a holiday staple in our house. My husband can't get enough! —Selena Swafford, Dalton, Georgia
Garlic-Cheese Flatbread
Unless 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 Lasagna
Here’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 Dip
When 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 Soup
A 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 Lasagna
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[rms_recipe id="18120" title="Cheesy Hash Browns" cta_text="Go to Recipe" image="https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cheesy-Hash-Brown-Bake_EXPS_FT20_18120_F_0826_1-4.jpg" image_alt_text="Cheesy Hash Brown Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home" link="https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/cheesy-hash-brown-bake/" slide_no="3"]These 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 Dip
Both 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 Quesadillas
We 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 Shells
I 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 Lasagna
My 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 Grits
As 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 Stromboli
I'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 Ham Chowder
My 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
Hot Pizza Dip
You can assemble this effortless appetizer in a jiffy. The pizza-flavored dip goes very fast, so you may want to make two batches. —Stacie Morse, South Otselic, New York
Cheesy Chicken 'n' Shells
When 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 Cheese
If 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 Spread
I 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 Dip
I 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 Spaghetti
This 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 Bites
In 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 Bread
You 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 Lasagna
Want 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 Fondue
I 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 Cobbler
I 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 Sandwiches
You 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 Macaroni
My 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 Cheese
You'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 Dip
Whenever 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 clean-up are a breeze! —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grilled Goat Cheese & Arugula Sandwiches
To 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
Pepperoni-Sausage Stuffed Pizza
For 30 years, friends have been telling me to open a pizzeria using this recipe. It even freezes well. —Elizabeth Wolff, Carmel, Indiana
Twice-Baked Cheddar Potato Casserole
Bacon, 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 Cheeseburgers
I 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 Mostaccioli
When 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 Bread
I cannot throw a party without making this recipe. It's fast and easy, and my kids love it. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California
Originally Published: August 03, 2018
