Topped with sharp cheddar cheese
This isn't a standalone dish, but a versatile finishing touch where sharp cheddar cheese is melted or sprinkled atop a base like chili, baked potatoes, macaroni, or casseroles. The core components are the chosen base dish and a generous layer of shredded or sliced sharp cheddar. It's a popular technique across American and British home cooking to add a rich, tangy flavor and gooey texture.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
The nutritional profile is highly dependent on the base dish, but the cheese topping itself adds significant saturated fat, sodium, and a boost of protein and calcium. A typical serving with a hearty cheese topping can range from 250 to 500 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbs | 22 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Calcium | 300 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.6 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 280 mg |
| Vitamin A | 150 mcg RAE |
| Zinc | 2.5 mg |
| Selenium | 12 mcg |
Per 1/2 cup (approx. 115 g) of a dish like chili or baked potato topped with 1 oz (28 g) shredded sharp cheddar · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Sharp cheddar develops its distinctive, piquant flavor through a longer aging process (typically 6-24 months), which also makes it melt beautifully into a smooth, rich layer. Nutritionally, it's a concentrated source of calcium and high-quality protein, making the dish more satiating.
