Picky eaters don’t stand a chance with these dinners. They’re packed with enough cheese to win over even the most dramatic critic at the table. There won’t be any eye rolling or turning up of noses. These are solid meals that actually get eaten. The recipes are quick, easy and perfect for nights when you don’t have the energy to argue.

Close-up of a fork holding a cheesy, saucy meatball. The meatballs are covered in melted cheese and tomato sauce, nestled closely together, emitting a delicious and savory appearance.
Photo credit: The Creative Bite.
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Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese

Greek yogurt mac and cheese with peas and bacon in a white bowl.
Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one brings the creamy, cheesy comfort without going overboard. It’s quick to make, easy to clean up, and picky eaters won’t care there’s yogurt involved when the cheese is front and center.
Get the Recipe: Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese with ground turkey in a pot.
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Loaded with cheddar, spinach, and peppers, this one-pan dinner is cheesy enough to pass the kid test. It’s great for nights when you want something that feels like fast food but tastes way better.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant

Cheesy chicken stuffed eggplant on a baking sheet.
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This is what happens when you stuff a bunch of melted cheddar into chicken and throw it into a roasted eggplant. It’s quick, cheesy, and perfect for anyone who usually avoids vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant

Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Poblano peppers stuffed with chicken and cheese.
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These peppers are packed with chicken, black beans, spices, and a serious amount of melted cheese. No one’s complaining about healthy swaps when dinner looks and tastes like this.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Cream Cheese Chicken

Cream cheese chicken in a white skillet.
Cream Cheese Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one checks all the boxes: easy, creamy, and packed with flavor. Five spices, one skillet, and a generous layer of cream cheese make it a great pick for anyone tired of dry chicken dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Sausage Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese with sausage and parsley.
Sausage Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This mac and cheese doesn’t mess around. It’s rich, cheesy, and packed with sausage, which makes it a solid win with both adults and kids. No boxed mix can touch it.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Mac and Cheese

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Don’t let the sweet potato fool you—this dish is all about the cheese. It’s creamy, loaded with flavor, and sneaks in some spinach without a single complaint from across the table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Cottage Cheese Alfredo. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This is how you pull off creamy Alfredo without heavy cream. It’s cheesy, smooth, and easy to make. No one at the table needs to know it starts with cottage cheese.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Chicken Sorrentino

Chicken sorrentino on a serving spoon.
Chicken Sorrentino. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one layers breaded chicken with eggplant, prosciutto, tomato sauce, and plenty of cheese. It’s bold, cheesy, and exactly the kind of dinner that makes people go back for more.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sorrentino

Spaghetti Alfredo with Broccoli

Spaghetti alfredo with broccoli florets in a pot with wooden spoon.
Spaghetti Alfredo with Broccoli. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Creamy, cheesy, and packed with broccoli, this lighter Alfredo still brings all the flavor. It’s a great way to serve pasta that won’t get picked apart at the table.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Alfredo with Broccoli

Stuffed Chicken Marsala

Stuffed chicken marsala in a cast iron skillet.
Stuffed Chicken Marsala. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Mozzarella, tomato butter, and basil get tucked inside chicken and finished with Marsala sauce. It’s cheesy, rich, and way better than anything out of a jar.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Chicken Marsala

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This casserole is cheesy, loaded with beef and black beans, and has just enough kick. It’s quick, hearty, and great for picky eaters who pretend they don’t like “casserole” until they’re scraping the dish.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Salsa Chicken

A white dish with chicken in a tomato sauce.
Salsa Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Dump it all in a dish—chicken, salsa, corn, and cheddar—and bake it. It’s cheesy, fast, and somehow even better the next day. No one argues with this one.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken

Traeger Cheesy Italian Shells

Traeger Cheesy Italian Shells. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Cheesy pasta with Italian seasoning and a ton of flavor. Whether you make it on the grill or in the oven, it’s perfect for anyone who wants dinner with zero complaints.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Cheesy Italian Shells

Cheesy Ham & Broccoli Tater Tot Hotdish

Cheesy Ham & Broccoli Tater Tot Hotdish. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

Ham, broccoli, cheese, and tater tots baked into one dish. It’s easy, cheesy, and great for feeding people who don’t do vegetables unless they’re covered in cheese.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ham & Broccoli Tater Tot Hotdish

Cheesy Baja Chicken & Bell Pepper Skillet

Cheesy Baja Chicken & Bell Pepper Skillet. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Chicken breasts, peppers, and cheese all cooked in one skillet. It’s fast, filling, and a great way to clean out the fridge without anyone realizing.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Baja Chicken & Bell Pepper Skillet

One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

A bowl of macaroni with a creamy cheese sauce mixed with ground meat and vegetables, including corn and tomatoes. A wooden spoon lifts a portion from the bowl. A blue plate and a fork are visible in the background.
One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Ground beef, taco seasoning, and a cheesy sauce poured over macaroni noodles. It’s a one-pot dinner that tastes like something from a drive-thru—in a good way.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo. Photo credit: Pasta Recipes Daily.

One pan, lots of cheese, and just enough broccoli to call it a balanced dinner. It’s fast, family-friendly, and no one’s going to leave the table hungry.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Orzo

Cheesy BBQ Pork Baked Sliders

Cheesy BBQ Pork Baked Sliders. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

Pulled pork and melted cheese tucked into slider buns and baked until golden. These are perfect for dinner, leftovers, or anytime people need a reason to stop complaining about what’s for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy BBQ Pork Baked Sliders

Cheesy Chipotle Turkey Sliders

Cheesy Chipotle Turkey Sliders. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

These sliders are cheesy, spicy, and just the right size for second and third helpings. Great for a casual dinner or something easy that still feels like effort.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chipotle Turkey Sliders

Cheesy Meatball Sub Casserole

Close-up of a fork holding a cheesy, saucy meatball. The meatballs are covered in melted cheese and tomato sauce, nestled closely together, emitting a delicious and savory appearance.
Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

All the parts of a meatball sub—cheese, sauce, bread, and meatballs—baked into one dish. It’s cheesy enough for kids, hearty enough for adults, and nobody’s asking for a backup dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Meatball Sub Casserole

Founder and Writer at  | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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