My favorite snacks all have one thing in common: cheese! I love cheese, from chunks of cheese with crackers to melty, gooey cheese atop a pile of nachos or a bowl of chili. So  I wanted to share with you some quick and easy snacks made with cheese that are also perfect for packing up a lunch.

I’m a big fan of the Arla Dofino cheeses. They are naturally good from farm to fridge so you can feel confident feeding them to your family. Their cheeses are free of added hormones, artificial flavors and preservatives, and crafted with quality, naturally delicious ingredients. Plus, Arla Dofino cheeses have been traditionally crafted in Wisconsin for more than 100 years. You can find Arla Dofino in the deli section of your grocery store.

Arla Dofino is hosting a Snack-to-School Facebook sweepstakes from September 15 to October 15, 2015. One winner will receive a semesters worth of Arla Dofino cheese and a Genuine Thermos lunch kit.

• How to enter: During the Sweepstakes Period, visit the Arla Dofino Facebook page at click the Sweepstakes tab, and follow the instructions to complete the provided registration form to receive one entry.

• Additional entries: Upon submission of a registration form, entrants will have the opportunity to follow the instructions to log-in to their Twitter account and share the Sweepstakes on Twitter. For each eligible individual that clicks the entrant’s share link and enters the Sweepstakes, the initial entrant will receive one additional entry, up to a maximum of ten additional entries throughout the Sweepstakes Period.

• Winner selection and notification: One potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about October 16, 2015 from all eligible entries received throughout the Sweepstakes Period. Potential winner will be notified by mail, phone, and/or e-mail. The prize will be shipped to the address the winner provides.

Here are my three recipes for quick and easy snacks and lunches

Mac and Cheese Cupcakes

Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? These little guys are made with gouda cheese, so they’ve got an extra delicious creamy taste.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb elbow macaroni
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 tbsp butter
• 2 cups of shredded Arla Dofino Gouda Cheese
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
3. Combine and whisk butter and flour in a saucepan over medium heat. Slowly add in milk and simmer. Add 1/2 of the cheese. Stir until smooth and add in salt and pepper.
4. Remove saucepan from heat and carefully stir in pasta. Whisk egg in a bowl and add to to pasta and cheese. Stir till pasta is well coated.
5. Spray muffin tins with cooking spray.
6. Sprinkle half of the remainder of shredded cheese into muffin tins.
7. Spoon mac and cheese mixture into muffin tins.
8. Mix bread crumbs with remainder of cheese and sprinkle over top of each muffin.
9. Bake at 400 degrees F for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Allow to cool 10 minutes and gently remove from tins using a spoon.

Sausage, Spinach and Cheese Egg Bites

These are great when you want a simple breakfast thats easy to eat anywhere. I make them the night before and keep in ther fridge. Reheat for 25 seconds and they are ready to eat.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of spinach, washed and chopped
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups of Arla Dofino Havarti Lite Cheese , shredded
• 1/2 pound of ground breakfast sausage
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Recipe:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Brown sausage. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
3. Beat the eggs in a bowl.
4. Add in the spinach, cheese and sausage and stir a few times.
5. Grease your muffin tins or spray with baking spray.
6. Spoon the egg mixture into cups to till full.
7. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes.
8. Let cool ten minutes and carefully remove from muffin tin.

Mini Meatball Subs

These meatball subs are so easy to make and are a tasty alternative to the everyday sandwich lunch.

Ingredients:

• frozen meatballs
• spaghetti sauce
• Arla Dofino Gouda cheese, shredded
• hawaiaan sub rolls or dinner rolls
• butter or butter spray

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Slice rolls if needed and pat or spray with butter.
3. Spread a spoonful of spaghetti sauce over roll.
4. Cook meatballs according to package.
5. Add two or three meatballs to roll.
6. Top with a bit more spaghetti sauce and some shredded cheese.
7. Bake in oven for 5 to 7 minutes, till cheese melts.

I’ve shared some great Snack to School recipes for making quick and easy snacks and lunches. What ways do you mix up your lunchbox routine with cheese?

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