Cheese And Roast Beef: The Perfect Pairing

There are many types of cheese that go well with roast beef, and the best choice will depend on the dish format, flavour intensity, preparation method, and desired textural contrast. For instance, soft, creamy cheeses like Camembert provide a luxurious contrast to hearty roast beef, while aged cheddar provides a sharp flavour and creamy texture that complements the beef beautifully. Swiss cheese is another excellent match, thanks to its distinct nutty and slightly sweet flavours. For a bold flavour, blue cheese adds a tangy, creamy characteristic to your roast beef, while provolone is the perfect choice for melts and paninis.

Blue cheese and honey

When creating a roast beef sandwich, blue cheese is a great choice, especially when paired with other strong flavours. Try a blue cheese dressing drizzled over a roast beef sandwich or salad, or sprinkle some blue cheese crumbles onto an open-faced hot sandwich for an indulgent, gourmet upgrade. For an appetizer, serve blue cheese chunks or a blue cheese spread with sliced roast beef, crackers and grapes.

Blue cheese also works well with honey, creating a delightful sweet and savoury contrast. The honey will balance out the sharpness of the blue cheese, creating a harmonious blend of flavours. This pairing works especially well with the rich, savoury flavours of roast beef.

For a well-rounded dish, consider adding other complementary ingredients to your blue cheese and honey roast beef creation. Blue cheese and honey pair well with a variety of textures and flavours, so feel free to experiment. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Walnuts or pecans
• Fresh or dried fruit, such as figs, grapes or apples
• Caramelised onions
• Arugula or other bitter greens
• Radishes
• Tomatoes
• Bread or crackers

Cheddar and horseradish sauce

Choosing the Right Cheddar

Aged cheddar is an excellent choice to serve with roast beef. It offers a sharp flavour and creamy texture that beautifully complements the meat. The intensity of aged cheddar can stand up to the hearty flavours of roast beef, providing a nice contrast. Opt for aged white cheddar or extra sharp orange cheddar for that extra punch of flavour.

The Magic of Horseradish

Horseradish is a pungent and fiery root that adds a delightful kick to your roast beef dish. When combined with creamy cheddar, it creates a well-balanced and indulgent taste experience. Horseradish sauce can be easily made by mixing freshly grated or prepared horseradish with cream or mayonnaise. You can also add a twist with ingredients like grated ginger, Dijon mustard, or balsamic vinegar.

Building the Perfect Sandwich

Creating a roast beef and cheddar sandwich with horseradish sauce is a delightful option. Start by spreading the horseradish sauce on your preferred bread—a crusty baguette, bakery-style bread, or a soft roll. Layer on some crisp lettuce or arugula, followed by slices of aged cheddar. Stack on the thinly sliced roast beef and add some extra toppings like caramelised onions, roasted mushrooms, or sliced tomatoes. For an extra cheesy bite, sprinkle on some shredded cheddar before closing the sandwich.

Taking It Up a Notch

To make a warm and comforting roast beef melt, consider using melted cheddar with the horseradish sauce. You can toast or grill the sandwich until the cheese is gooey and slightly browned. For an extra indulgent touch, butter the insides of the bread before toasting. This will add a rich flavour and help protect the bread from becoming too soggy.

Platter Perfection

If you're serving a roast beef platter, aged cheddar and horseradish sauce can be a delightful addition. Arrange slices of roast beef on a platter with crackers or slices of baguette. Provide a small bowl of horseradish sauce for dipping and a separate plate with sliced or cubed cheddar. This way, your guests can create their own perfect bite, combining the flavours of juicy roast beef, sharp cheddar, and fiery horseradish.

Swiss cheese

Roast Beef and Swiss Cheese Sandwiches

Try making a quick and easy batch of these sandwiches. They're loaded with thinly sliced meat, melted cheese, and a tangy sauce, on a lightly toasted potato bun.

Ingredients:

• Buns
• Roast beef
• Swiss cheese
• Mayonnaise
• Onion
• Poppy seeds
• Spicy mustard
• Horseradish
• Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
• Slice the buns in half and place the bottoms on the prepared sheet or dish.
• In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, grated onion, poppy seeds, spicy mustard, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Spread the sauce on the bun bottoms.
• Top with roast beef and Swiss cheese slices.
• Cover with bun tops.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the buns are slightly crisp.
• Serve warm.

Roast Beef Melt

This sandwich features crusty bread, juicy roast beef au jus, Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard, and horseradish.

Ingredients:

• Bread (sandwich bread, sourdough, brioche, etc.)
• Roast beef
• Swiss cheese
• Dijon mustard
• Horseradish

Instructions:

• Thinly slice the roast beef and toss it in the braising liquid.
• Toast two pieces of bread and spread horseradish on one side.
• Layer the roast beef on the horseradish.
• Add a slice of Swiss cheese and place under the broiler until melted.
• Toast two more slices of bread and spread with mustard.
• Remove the sandwiches from the oven and top with the second slice of bread.
• Serve immediately.

Roast Beef Sandwich with Melted Swiss & Onions

This sandwich features garlic-infused roast beef with melted Swiss cheese and caramelized onions.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• White onion, sliced into rings
• Salt and pepper
• Leftover garlic roast beef, thinly sliced
• Whole wheat Italian or French bread
• Reduced-fat Swiss cheese or provolone

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
• Add onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook until slightly brown.
• Slice the bread and place the roast beef and onions on top.
• Top with cheese and broil for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese.
• Serve immediately.

Provolone

Aged provolone provides a more intense bite and a more complex flavour. However, mild provolone is also very enjoyable with roast beef, especially in sandwiches, where you can appreciate the textures of the soft cheese and tender meat. The meltability of provolone helps bind the ingredients together into a cohesive and satisfying sandwich.

Monterey Jack

When it comes to creating a delicious roast beef dish, choosing the right cheese to accompany it is essential. Here's why Monterey Jack is an excellent choice for a mouth-watering combination:

Versatility in Hot Dishes

Unique Flavour and Texture

Perfect for Nachos

Shredded Monterey Jack is the perfect topping for roast beef nachos. It melts beautifully, blending with the beef to create a cohesive and satisfying dish. The heat from the beef also helps soften and lightly brown the cheese, creating a visually appealing and tasty crown for your nachos.

Creative Combinations

For a unique twist on traditional sandwiches, consider combining Monterey Jack with other cheeses. For instance, you can pair it with Colby Jack, a combination of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses, to add a burst of colour and a more pronounced flavour to your sandwich. Get creative and experiment with different pairings to discover your signature combination.

Easy to Find and Use

Delicious Suggested Pairings

When crafting a roast beef dish with Monterey Jack, consider incorporating other complementary ingredients. For instance, you could make cheesy roast beef nachos with toppings like tortilla chips, pinto beans, jalapeños, pico de gallo, and guacamole. Or, for a more indulgent option, try a cheesy roast beef baked pasta.

Frequently asked questions