What is Colby cheese?

Colby is a type of cheese that originates from the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Colby cheese is often compared to cheddar cheese because of the orange color. However, Colby cheese has a softer texture and milder flavor.

What does Colby cheese taste like?

Colby cheese has a sweet and mild flavor, similar to cheddar cheese, but less tangy.

How can you eat Colby cheese?

You can eat Colby cheese both cold and melted. Colby cheese’s mild flavor and creamy texture make it a great cheese to add to sandwiches, burgers, casseroles, and other foods that call for melted cheese. It is also excellent cubed and pairs well with fruits like apples and pears. 

Where can you buy Colby cheese?

Because Colby has a very mild flavor, it is often paired with Monterey Jack and is sold as Colby Jack cheese. You can find this at most grocery stores in the packaged cheese and dairy aisle. 

How do you store Colby cheese?

Colby cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, either inside the original packaging or wrapped in wax paper and plastic wrap. Pre-sliced and shredded cheese should be stored in the fridge and thrown away if there is mold. Blocks of cheese that have grown mold can be saved by cutting an inch away from the mold with a knife and applying a new wrap. You can also store a block of cheese in a plastic bag in the freezer for up to six months. To thaw, put it in the fridge or run it under cold water.

Fun Fact about Colby cheese:

Colby cheese was created in the late nineteenth century by John Steinwand. Steinwand created it at his cheese factory in Colby, Wisconsin, the city the cheese is named after. 

Did you know?

Another name for Colby cheese is “Longhorn” Colby. This refers to the long cylinder shape that the cheese usually comes in when purchased at the deli.

Recipes Using Colby Cheese

Grilled Cheese Sandwich With Apples

Balance out tangy cheese with sweet apples in this kicked up classic. Add thinly sliced apples, deli ham, and Colby cheese in between two pieces of sandwich bread. Fry on a buttered skillet on each side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Mac and Cheese with Kale and Butternut Squash

Butternut squash puree and kale make this favorite a bit healthier, but just as delicious. Blend roasted butternut squash until smooth, and stir it into a cheese sauce made with Colby cheese, milk, butter, flour, and seasonings. Stir in strained cooked macaroni pasta and kale, and place in a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs and bake until the casserole is bubbly.

Potato Soup

Make this classic potato soup by sautéing a diced onion in a large stockpot. Add flour and vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add in chopped potatoes and cook them until tender. Then, add cream cheese, milk, Colby jack cheese, and peas, a type of legume. Continue to cook until the peas are tender. Garnish the soup with chives and more grated Colby cheese.

Scalloped Potatoes with Cheese

Boil red potatoes until they’re almost tender, drain, and allow them to cool. In a saucepan, make a sauce with butter, flour, milk, cheese, onion, and garlic. Once cooled, slice the potatoes in quarter-inch slices. In a casserole or baking dish, layer to potato slices and cheese sauce and bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 375 degrees. Serve as a side dish to steak or chicken recipes.

Colby Pepper-Jack Cheese Dip

Colby can be combined with other cheeses and ingredients to make a tasty dip to serve at parties and gatherings. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, chipotle peppers in adobo, and chili powder and stir to incorporate all of the ingredients. Once the ingredients are well combined, add cooked chicken, a can of chopped hatch chiles, Colby cheese, jalapenos, and cilantro. Mix again and place the dip in a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve this rich, creamy dip with carrots and celery or pieces of toasted bread.