Cheese And Fried Potatoes: The Perfect Pairing

what cheese is best for fried potatoes

There are many types of cheese that can be used to make fried potatoes, depending on your taste preferences. Cheddar is a popular choice, as it is sharp and melts well. Other options include Monterey Jack, Colby, and Colby-Jack cheese, which can be shredded and added to the potatoes. For a more unique flavor, you could try using Gruyere, Gouda, or Muenster cheese, which have a sharp taste that pairs well with potatoes. If you're feeling creative, you can even experiment with blending different types of cheese to find your perfect combination.

Characteristics Values
Type of cheese Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, Gruyere, Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, Jarlsberg, Cotswold, Swiss, Brie
Type of potatoes Red, Yellow, White
Other ingredients Bacon, Onion, Eggs, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Pepper, Butter

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Fried potatoes with a cheese sauce

Ingredients

  • Potatoes (any type, but soft red or yellow potatoes are recommended)
  • Cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend of cheeses)
  • Bacon
  • Onion (white, red, or green)
  • Butter
  • Eggs
  • Salt and pepper
  • Vegetable oil

Instructions

Start by frying the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble it, leaving the grease in the pan. Add butter to the bacon grease and stir. Then, add chopped onions and potatoes to the pan. Cover the pan and cook until the potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. You can also add salt and pepper at this stage for seasoning.

Once the potatoes are tender, remove the lid and continue cooking on high heat until they are crispy and golden brown. At this point, you can transfer the potatoes to a serving dish or keep them in the skillet. Sprinkle shredded or grated cheese generously over the potatoes. Put the lid back on for a few minutes to help the cheese melt, creating a cheesy sauce. Finally, crumble the bacon over the cheese sauce and serve immediately.

For a more indulgent dish, you can also add eggs to the potatoes. Simply crack eggs over the potatoes once they are browned and stir gently until the eggs are firm. You can also add extra cheese at this stage, sprinkling it over the potatoes and eggs until melted.

This dish is versatile and can be served as a side or a main course. It pairs well with a side salad or meats such as steak, chicken, or pork chops. Enjoy the comfort of fried potatoes with a delicious cheese sauce!

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Cheddar cheese and fried potatoes

Ingredients

  • Potatoes (red, yellow), Russet, Idaho, Yukon Gold, or a combination
  • Cheddar cheese (shredded or grated)
  • Butter
  • Onion (white, sweet, or yellow)
  • Milk
  • Sour cream
  • Bacon (optional)
  • Eggs (optional)
  • Vegetable oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Paprika (optional)
  • Parsley (optional)

Method

First, prepare the potatoes by boiling them in salted water until soft. Peel and mash the potatoes, then mix in butter, milk, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and bacon (if using). Form the mixture into small balls and coat them with beaten egg and breadcrumbs. Deep fry these mashed potato balls until golden brown. Alternatively, slice or chunk the potatoes and fry them in bacon grease or vegetable oil until tender and crispy. Add onions and continue frying until they are translucent and slightly browned. Transfer the potato and onion mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle with cheddar cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Garnish with parsley and paprika, if desired.

Tips and Variations

  • This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen until ready to bake.
  • For a simpler version, omit the bacon and eggs, and focus on the combination of fried potatoes and cheddar cheese.
  • Use any type of potato that suits your preference or what you have on hand.
  • Adjust the amount of cheese to your taste, and feel free to add extra cheese for a more indulgent dish.
  • Serve as a side dish with roast beef, barbecued meatballs, or steak, or as a main course with a side salad.

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Gruyere, gouda, muenster, or parmesan

When it comes to fried potatoes, there are several cheese options that can take your dish to the next level. Here are some ideas and instructions for using Gruyere, gouda, muenster, or parmesan with fried potatoes:

Gruyere

Gruyere is a great cheese to use for potatoes au gratin. To make this dish, you'll want to shred the Gruyere yourself from a block of cheese. Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Fry ¼ cup of sage leaves until crisp, then transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate. Thinly slice two pounds of potatoes (Yukon gold is a good variety to use) to ⅛-inch thick and shred 8 ounces of Gruyere. Pour ¾ cup of half-and-half over the potatoes, drizzle with the reserved sage oil, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 400ºF, and bake for another 25–30 minutes until deeply golden brown. Top with crushed fried sage and enjoy!

Gouda

Gouda is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of fried potato dishes. One option is to make gouda smashed potatoes. Start by steaming or boiling potatoes until they are tender. Then, use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to gently smash the potatoes until they are flat. Drizzle with a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper, and minced garlic, and broil for 8-10 minutes or until crispy. Sprinkle grated gouda cheese on top and return to the oven for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese melts. Garnish with fresh parsley, and your gouda smashed potatoes are ready to serve!

Muenster

Muenster cheese is another option for making delicious mashed potatoes with a twist. While specific recipes for muenster mashed potatoes may be harder to come by, you can draw inspiration from recipes for other cheese and potato combinations. For example, you could follow a similar preparation method to the gouda smashed potatoes, substituting muenster for gouda.

Parmesan

Fried potatoes with parmesan is a tasty combination that can be served as a quick breakfast side or alongside dinner. To make pan-fried parmesan potatoes, start by peeling and cutting your potatoes into small cubes. Rinse the cubes with water, drain, and set them aside. Add oil and potatoes to a large non-stick skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are browned and cooked through. Add seasonings like salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Finally, reduce the heat to low and sprinkle on the parmesan cheese. Cover with a tight lid and cook for about 3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt. You can also add your favourite condiments or enjoy them as-is.

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Cheesy skillet potatoes with bacon

Ingredients:

  • Potatoes (any type, but red potatoes are recommended for their flavour and butter taste)
  • Bacon (thick-cut or applewood smoked for a smokier flavour)
  • Cheese (Monterey Jack, Colby, Cheddar, or a three-cheese shredded blend)
  • Onion (green, white, or red)
  • Butter (optional)
  • Eggs (optional)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Fresh basil or other herbs (optional)

Method:

Start by frying the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until evenly browned and crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble or chop it into smaller pieces. Leave the bacon grease in the pan, as this adds flavour! If you prefer, you can drain the grease and use butter instead.

Next, add chopped potatoes to the skillet. You can leave the skin on or peel them—it's up to you! Cook the potatoes until they start to crisp up and brown but are not fully cooked through. This usually takes about 15 minutes on medium heat. If you're adding onions, throw them in with the potatoes for some extra flavour.

Now it's time to add the cheese. You can simply sprinkle shredded cheese over the potatoes, or you can make a cheese sauce by mixing cheese with some milk or cream for a creamier dish. Cover the skillet and bake it in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are tender.

Once the cheese is melted, it's time to add the bacon back in. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top of the melted cheese, and add some fresh basil or other herbs if desired. Give it all a good stir to combine the flavours.

Finally, serve it directly from the skillet! This dish is best enjoyed hot and fresh, straight from the pan.

Tips and Variations:

  • For a heartier meal, crack an egg or two into the skillet towards the end of cooking, and stir gently until the eggs are cooked.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste, but remember that bacon is already salty, so add salt sparingly.
  • If you like spicy food, add a dash of paprika or mix in some sliced jalapeños for an extra kick.
  • For a vegetarian option, skip the bacon and use olive oil or butter instead. Add mushrooms or bell peppers for extra flavour and nutrients.
  • You can prepare the bacon and chop the potatoes ahead of time to speed up the cooking process when you're ready to cook.

Enjoy the comforting, cheesy goodness of this versatile skillet dish!

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Cheesy roasted potatoes

A simple and flavorful side dish, cheesy roasted potatoes are a delight for cheese and potato lovers alike. The combination of crispy potatoes and gooey cheese is hard to resist.

Ingredients

You can use any potatoes you like, but soft red or yellow potatoes are recommended for a fuller flavor and buttery taste. For the cheese, sharp cheddar is a popular choice as it adds a lot of flavor and melts well. However, feel free to experiment with different kinds of cheese or a blend of cheeses. Some good options include Gruyere, Gouda, Muenster, Monterey Jack, Colby, and Colby-Jack.

Recipe

First, cut your potatoes into slices or chunks. Put some vegetable oil in the bottom of a skillet and heat it up. Add the potatoes along with some salt and pepper and cook until they start to crisp up and brown but are not fully cooked. Remove from heat. Prepare a cheese sauce by mixing together your chosen cheese(s) until smooth. Pour the sauce over the potatoes. Bake in the skillet at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes. Serve directly from the skillet.

Storage

Let the potatoes cool to room temperature and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply put them in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through, or use a microwave.

Frequently asked questions

Cheddar is a popular choice for fried potatoes as it melts well and has a sharp flavour. Monterey Jack/colby cheese is another option that melts well and can be shredded.

Gruyere, gouda, and muenster are all suitable cheeses to use as they have a similar sharpness to cheddar and melt well.

It is best to avoid using parmesan as it does not melt and can affect the texture of the dish.

For skillet fried potatoes, add the cheese after removing the potatoes from the heat. Sprinkle the cheese on top and cover with a lid to help it melt.

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