It’s no secret that jalapeños and cheese just work well together (pepper jack, anyone?); A mild, milky cheese cuts through the strong spice of the peppers and makes for a perfect way to cool your tastebuds. You know that feeling when a food is tear-inducingly spicy, but so good that you can’t stop eating it? Yeah, us too. Cheese can help with that, though.

The flavors of jalapeños and cheese also combine well in appetizers, and make for tasty dishes to bring to a dinner party or holiday celebration. Here are some recipes that might make you tear up a little bit–but it’s so worth it. 

Bacon-Jalapeño Cheese Ball

Looking for the perfect party snack that packs a bit of heat? Try this ultimate cheese ball, packed with bacon, chopped jalapeños, cream cheese, cheddar, and a variety of seasonings. The flavor is intense, rich, and of course, spicy. 

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

We’re always willing to overlook warm weather for a seriously delicious grilled cheese. This recipe is super easy to make, with a prep time of only 10 minutes. It combines mascarpone and aged cheddar for a gooey, cheesy sandwich. And who doesn’t love that? 

Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Muffins

“The simple corn muffin is a beautiful thing,” says recipe writer Nick Evans, and we couldn’t agree more. Well — assuming “simple” means studded with spicy jalapeño peppers and pockets of creamy, sharp cheddar cheese. These would be perfect as a barbecue side dish, or even a decadent breakfast.

Photo by Nick Evans

Erica Mixon

Erica Mixon is an editorial intern at Culture. Mixon is also the arts editor of Emerson College's student-run newspaper, the Berkeley Beacon, and editor in chief of an upcoming human resources blog, HRTalentManagement. While Erica is not editing or writing, she enjoys spending time in her hometown of Ogunquit, Maine.