Crunchy macaroni and cheese
The combination of hot, oozy, cheesy pasta and a crunchy toasted bread topping makes this the ultimate comfort food.
Cheese and bacon scones
This cheese and bacon scone recipe takes this Kiwi staple to delicious new heights. Serve slathered with plenty of butter with your morning or afternoon cuppa
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Little pesto, corn and cream cheese muffin puffs
Prepare to make morning tea the most delicious meal of the day with this little muffin puff recipe. Packed with corn, cream cheese and a dollop of pesto, these savoury bites will be a family favourite
Salmon pasta bake
Pasta bakes are such a simple, comforting meal, and this salmon pasta bake also makes for a brilliant cost-effective meal. Perfect as a dinner, and we also love to meal prep this for lunches during the week. We’ve used tinned pink salmon in this recipe but you can change out to tuna (or any other […]
Savoury brioche buns with feta and blue cheese
These buns are so handy as you can make the dough the evening before. Then it’s just a matter of putting them together just before you want to eat them, hot from the oven - perfect for a quick breakfast or morning tea snack!
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NZ Pork & smoked cheese lasagne
Smoked cheese and NZ Pork make an irresistible combination in this lasagne with a tasty twist
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Ginger beer date cake with cream cheese frosting
Don’t be too concerned if your cake has a small dip in the middle; it will be covered with icing. Note
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Quiche lorraine
This is the traditional French savoury quiche recipe made with bacon, egg and cream.
If you're not a confident pastry cook, you can make this dish using a sheet of frozen shortcrust pastry.
If you're not a confident pastry cook, you can make this dish using a sheet of frozen shortcrust pastry.
Pumpkin and Parmesan scones
These scrumptious scones put leftover pumpkin to excellent use. They're light and fluffy, and the sprinkle of Parmesan on the top adds so much flavour. Enjoy fresh out of the oven, slathered in butter, with a cup of tea.
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Ham and cheese macaroni
Ham off the bone makes a deluxe version of classic macaroni and cheese
Baked three cheese pasta
This recipe is best made close to serving. Note
16 recipes that prove you deserve macaroni cheese for dinner
When you're in need of big hit of comforting, cheesy goodness, nothing beats macaroni cheese. Treat yourself tonight and indulge in our best recipes
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20 essential recipes for a vegetarian Christmas
Ensure everyone enjoys a delicious Christmas feast with our collection of hearty vegetarian recipes! These are more than just side dishes - each one can easily star as a vege-friendly alternative to traditional turkey or ham.
Golden fried brie cheese with quick peach chutney
Beware: This fried brie recipe is seriously irresistible! The combination of ooey gooey melted cheese, crunchy breadcrumbs and sweet peach chutney will go down as an all-time entertaining favourite
12 deliciously easy Christmas nibbles
Let's face it, Christmas feasting begins from the moment you open your eyes on the 25th! Get ready for a day of grazing with these nibbles recipes - they're perfect for keeping the family satisfied until the main event!
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Brie and bacon filo tarts with spinach and pine nuts
This tart recipe will be the star of your next morning tea! Crispy, golden filo nests are filled with a delicious combo of brie cheese, streaky bacon, baby spinach and pine nuts. Serve warm for ultimate enjoyment
Lasagne pasta bake
To reheat, thaw, then cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes (or 20-30 minutes for smaller dishes).
Margherita pizzas with gluten-free kūmara bases
Create authentic Margherita pizzas with a gluten-free twist - the bases are made out of kūmara and rolled oats! They have a fabulously crunchy edge when cooked, meaning they are perfect for holding all of your favourite toppings.
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Courgette, polenta and parmesan cakes
These courgette and polenta cakes are popular with everyone, especially as they’re loaded with gooey cheese. They are just wonderful for anyone wanting to branch out from potatoes as their go-to source of carbs!
Cheesy courgette and corn skillet bake
The oven does most of the work in this fantastic courgette and corn skillet bake - which is a delicious way to put a glut of courgettes to good use. Serve with a simple green salad and you’ve got dinner sorted!
Easy cheesy macaroni with roasted tomatoes
This macaroni is what dreams are made of - it's extra cheesy, super simple and topped with delicious roasted tomatoes for an added dose of veg. Whip one up for a quick and easy dinner - you'll have it on the table in less than 20 minutes!
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Savoury olive and rosemary cheese biscuits
Here is a savoury version of the lovely French Sablés. They’re a nice alternative to nibble with your glass of wine instead of nuts or chippies, and make a fantastic addition to a grazing platter!
Courgette, pea and buffalo cheese salad
Grilled on the barbecue is our favourite way to eat courgettes. If you want to dress them up, add some sweet peas, mint and, if you like, a little soft feta, ricotta or marinated buffalo cheese like in this recipe.
Raspberry and honey-baked haloumi salad
Fresh, zingy and oh-so-colourful, this raspberry and honey-baked haloumi salad is packed with goodness. Serve this flavoursome dish as a side salad or a vegetarian main course this Christmas!
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Kūmara, pomegranate & goat’s cheese salad with maple & chilli
This jewel-bright jumble of kūmara and goat’s cheese is the perfect side salad for a festive feast. Whether you're hosting Christmas at your place or need a great dish to bring along, this recipe is bound to be a hit.
Chicken, cranberry and brie filo parcels
Is there any combination quite as tasty as chicken, cranberry and brie? Wrap this delectable mixture up in crispy filo pastry to make little parcels that are bursting with flavour - perfect as a Christmas starter or take-a-plate idea.
Meat lasagne with creamy ricotta & rosemary
This rich and delicious lasagne is oozing with flavour, cheese and creaminess, creating a fantastic Italian-style family dinner. It's perfect for colder nights, or any time that you just feel like a little extra comfort.
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Cheesy vegetable bake with courgette and eggplant
There's nothing quite like a gooey, cheesy vegetable bake. This one is packed with all sorts of goodies, from courgette to eggplant to kūmara - so it's equally nutritious as it is indulgent!
Double cheese and chive scones
These are the only scones to make if you’re after a recipe that’s super-charged with cheese. The recipe comes from Nici Wickes’ mum’s local café, but they’ve adjusted the recipe by adding chives for extra zing!
Blue cheese and pear loaf
This Nici Wickes blue cheese loaf is like a giant muffin, all fluffy and cheesy and studded with pieces of sweet pear. It's so easy to pull together - making it a fantastic recipe to have up your sleeve for any unexpected guests.
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Roasted portobellos with goat’s cheese, chilli garlic crumble & balsamic tamarillos
This roasted portobello mushroom dish is so easy to make but is gourmet enough to be found in your favourite café. Enjoy for a luxurious weekend brunch or light midweek dinner - it's deliciously versatile!
Beef, beer and blue cheese pie
This pie is an absolute winner – hearty and rich, packed full of meat and gravy, spiked with tangy blue cheese and topped with flaky pastry. Make it on a chilly evening to warm you up from the inside out.
Winter vegetable pie with homemade tomato sauce
If you’re trying to incorporate more veges into your weeknight meals, then we’ve got you covered. This hearty vege pie is tasty and nourishing, and will leave you with enough leftovers for everyone's lunch.
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Baked macaroni cheese with French onion soup sauce
Two comfort food favourites collide in this ribsticking recipe! Classic mac 'n' cheese gets an injection of flavour with French onion soup sauce and cheesy breadcrumb topping. It's a cheat day must!
12 finger-licking nacho recipes to spice up your life
Nachos are the ultimate taste and texture sensation - fun, fiery and oh-so-crunchy! It's only right that we bring all our best variations together in one finger-licking collection.
Tried-and-true potato bake recipes
If you're after the perfect side or you're just looking for good old-fashioned comfort food, you simply can't go past a tasty potato bake recipe. These recipes are the best of the best!
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Fennel and leek gratin
Fennel infuses this leek gratin with a delightfully bright anise-like taste, making it a flavoursome side dish. Serve alongside a roast dinner or your favourite steak for a nourishing, balanced meal.
Ham, mushroom and spinach crêpe
Buckwheat crêpes in France are commonly filled with ham and cheese or mushroom and spinach. Here, Nici crammed it all into one irresistible crêpe, perfect for a nourishing breakfast or brunch!
Pecorino, black pepper and sage-crusted chicken breast
Elevate your chicken with this mouth-watering crumb of pecorino, black pepper and sage. Fried until a beautiful dark golden brown, these chicken breasts make a delicious centrepiece for any balanced meal.
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Spinach, blue cheese and ricotta galettes
Cheese lovers, listen up - these spinach, blue cheese and ricotta galettes are a dream come true! Encased in a golden pastry shell and topped with walnuts, this recipe is everything you need for a midweek dinner.
Potato, mustard and cheddar bake
This potato bake is oozing with cheddar, making for a dish that exudes comfort and warmth. Creamy and cheesy, with a sharp kick from the hot English mustard topping, this is the perfect winter side dish.
Eggplant and tomato pies with cheesy yoghurt tops
Covered in a layer of delicious cheesiness, these little pies are incredibly moreish! They're packed with eggplant, tomatoes and mushrooms, making for a tasty combination of vegetarian goodness.
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Broccoli and three cheese pie
We love this pie, which is really a tart, given it doesn’t have a lid! Combining the magic of goat's cheese, mozzarella and feta in a homemade gluten-free shell, it's a tantalising dish that is perfect for a midweek dinner.
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Fennel and lemon-crumbed mozzarella burgers in grilled parmesan buns
If you're looking for a fresh vegetarian burger idea, this recipe should be at the top of your list. Fennel and lemon-crumbed mozzarella oozes out at first bite, and the brioche buns are grilled in parmesan for extra flavour!
Warm jalapeno, cheese and cauliflower dip
Creamy and cheesy with just the right amount of kick, this warm jalapeno, cheese and cauliflower dip is a fantastic appetiser or snack. Serve alongside our cheesy toasts for a delightfully crunchy dish.
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Nacho meatball bake
Enjoy a texture sensation with this nacho meatball bake, which combines melt-in-your-mouth meatballs with the delightful crunch of nacho chips. Add a topping of cheese, avocado chunks and sour cream and you've found a new favourite!
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Warm pork fillet salad with seared pears and blue cheese
This incredible salad is so simple to make but looks and tastes gourmet! From prosciutto-wrapped pork fillets to the divine blue cheese and caramelised pear topping, this dish is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Cheesy tomato and mustard tart
Halfway between a tart and a quiche, this is a no-fuss, easy savoury dish to whip up for brunch. Enjoy a slow start to the day with the family, or make it the night before and take a slice for a quick grab-and-go breakfast on a busy morning.
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Speck and cheese toasties with gribiche
There’s no denying the appeal of a cheesy, crunchy toasted sandwich, and this recipe certainly delivers. Filled with smoked speck, gouda and comté, and slathered with homemade gribiche, this toastie is one for the ages.
24 easy lunchbox recipes to try with Countdown
New term, new school lunchbox ideas! Freshen up your kid's lunchboxes with these easy options that are guaranteed to put a smile on their dial and make lunchtimes a breeze!
Roast kūmara, green bean, corn and feta frittata
This nourishing dish is perfect as a simple but delicious family dinner. Combining the sweetness of kūmara with the saltiness of feta, and served with homemade tomato relish, Nadia Lim's frittata is always a hit!
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Fresh pineapple cheese dip with baby carrots
This fresh and creamy dip is a perfect snack for hungry kids. Serve with a sprinkle of dukkah and a colourful platter of crisp chopped vegetables for a healthy and delicious afternoon tummy filler.
Broad bean and ricotta pasta with crispy prosciutto
Give your broad beans a new lease on life by tossing them through this delicious ricotta pasta. Topped with prosciutto, parmesan and chopped dill, it's a quick and easy dish that tastes incredible.
Ricotta and spinach pasta bake
This pasta bake is the epitome of comfort food. Combining the magical pair of spinach and ricotta, along with a beautifully flavoured tomato sauce, it's ideal as your family dinner on a cooler evening.
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Tomato and smoked cheese tart
Smoked cheese imbues the most wonderful and subtle flavour to this tart. Enjoy for a lunch or dinner that is easy to assemble - either with store-bought pastry or our tasty homemade recipe.
Warm nectarine salad with blue cheese, prosciutto and chilli pecans
This stunning salad is all about beautiful ingredients and lots of texture – and it can be whipped up in a flash! Serve as a colourful side, or generously as a main dish.
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Baked chicken, pea and ricotta meatballs with spaghetti
Simple to make but melt-in-your-mouth delicious, this meatball dish is a great idea for a midweek dinner. The chicken, pea and ricotta combination in the meatballs is divine!
Be an angel this Christmas with Mainland
Embrace the season for giving and treasure your loved ones with edible gifts. With the help of Mainland, we make it simple to put some delicious thought into your Christmas presents this year. But don't forget to gift yourself some well earned social joy, by relaxing with friends over a Mainland cheese platter.
Dirty bloody mary with sriracha cheese dippers
This unique combo provides a fun addition to your next party or gathering. Exotic Food Sriracha adds a delicious kick to the Bloody Mary cocktails, and some hot chilli magic to the Sriracha cheese dippers.
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Mum’s twice-cooked cheese soufflés
These twice-baked cheese soufflés take the stress out of this French classic. You can make them the day before and finish cooking them 15 minutes prior to serving without having to panic. Voilà !
Cheese and herb fondue
Fondue, the Swiss dish of melted cheese shared in a communal pot, is a great excuse to have people over. So gather the clan on a winter’s evening and try this comforting cheese and herb fondue!
Baked fennel with parmesan and cream
With lemony sharpness, this delicious baked fennel recipe with parmesan and cream is an easy and indulgent side dish that goes well with grilled meats and fish.
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Bruschetta with roasted persimmon and prosciutto
This bruschetta with roasted persimmon and prosciutto is the perfect appetizer to enjoy with friends or family. It's seasonal, low-maintenance, and the flavours are delicious
15 exciting school lunchbox ideas to try with Countdown
Skip the predictable sandwiches and shake things up this term! These school lunchbox ideas are not only exciting, they're also oh-so-easy to make. The best part? The kids will love them!
Cheesy jalapeno poppers
Crispy, crumbed and oozing with hot, cheesy filling, these tasty little morsels served with chipotle dipping sauce are such a treat!
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Spaghetti, vegetable and cheese frittata wraps
Need some lunchbox inspo? This frittata wrap recipe is a must-try. Pack with spaghetti, sneak in some vegetables and add a tasty sprinkling of cheese for a delicious wrap filling the kids will love
Bacon, cheese and corn wholemeal lunchbox muffins
Ditch boring sandwiches and add an exciting element to your little one's lunchbox with this muffin recipe. Packed with bacon, corn and wholemeal flour, these muffins can also easily be baked in advance and frozen
Grape, prosciutto and goat’s cheese pizza with rocket
This pizza recipe has it all - sweetness from the grapes, saltiness from the prosciutto, creaminess thanks to the goat's cheese and a peppery touch of rocket. It'll go down a treat at your next wine and cheese night
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Make-ahead toasted wrap with roasted vegetables and cheese
This make-ahead wrap recipe is the lunch solution you've been looking for. Simply assemble at home, then pop in the sandwich press at work to get warm and cheesy. It's also a great way of using up leftover roast veges. Win win!
Stuffed courgette flowers with ricotta and lemon
Trust us, this stuffed courgette flower recipe is a must-try! Filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta, anchovies and lemon, crumbed then fried until golden, this dish is simply irresistible served warm
Warm Brazilian cheese bread puffs (pão de queijo)
This Nici Wickes recipe nails these little bites that are a favourite in Brazil where they’re called pão de queijo, or cheese bread. They’re like choux pastry puffs or gougères, but much easier to make
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Grilled French toasted sandwiches with mustard, ham and gruyère cheese
This sandwich recipe sees French toast and grilled cheese collide to create the ultimate in outdoor fare! Whip up this toasted sandwich on the barbecue or grill and enjoy the taste of comfort food wherever you may be
16 easy party food recipes to ring in the New Year
Ring in the New Year with these finger-licking party food recipe ideas. Try sparkling punch, sliders, savouries, blinis and even a retro cheese ball and get your year off to a delicious start!
12 easy picnic food recipe ideas to enjoy outdoors
One of the best things about a New Zealand summer is packing up the picnic hamper and heading to the park or beach. Dig into our best picnic food ideas including savoury, vegetarian and sweet recipes.
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Magical colourful unicorn toast
Get your day off to a magical start with this delicious unicorn toast recipe. Rippled with eye-catching colours and ladened with pretty sprinkles, this trendy treat makes a great breakfast or dessert
Fiona’s famous three-cheese macaroni and cheese
Nici Wickes shares her friend Fiona's famous mac 'n' cheese recipe. This dish is so incredibly creamy and deliciously spiked with mustard that you'll go back for seconds, and dare we say it, thirds!
12 quesadilla recipes that are perfect for a quick dinner
Crispy, spicy and oh so cheesy, quesadillas are such a fun and easy meal. Here, we've rounded up our best recipes including chicken, pork, prawn and vegetarian combinations. Serve with salsa for a delicious Mexican-style dinner!
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Creamy cheese ends and leftover salad pasta
They might not be fresh enough to be the hero of a salad, but slightly wilted salad greens are perfect to toss through this pasta recipe, while end-of-the block cheese ends also don't go to waste!
Workmen’s savoury vegetarian muffins
Nici Wickes' shares her mum's tried-and-true workmen's muffins recipe. These muffins aren’t your usual light and fruity ones – they’re solid and filling with veges, feta and a hint of curry powder
All the pinwheel and scroll recipes you’ll ever need
Fluffy, warm and oh-so-moreish, these recipes are the perfect example of why we love pinwheels and scrolls so much. From savoury and cheesy to sweet and sticky - there's a recipe for you.
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Tuck into these pull-apart bread recipes
Fluffy, savoury (or sometimes sweet), these pull-apart bread recipes are worth baking. From classic ham and cheese to combos that are a little bit fancy, these carby treats are made for sharing.
Croque Madame Hugues
Fiona Hugues has created a Croque Madame recipe that's a little fancier than the classic, with a couple of extras like wilted spinach, seeded mustard and gorgeous little quail eggs. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif
Rosemary and cheddar buttermilk soda bread
This easy rosemary and cheddar buttermilk soda bread recipe is the perfect addition to your next meal. Serve buttered with a bowl of soup, or with cheese and chutney for a delicious starter
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Ricotta and chilli-filled sweet peppers
Nici Wickes was inspired by the gorgeous cheese and jalapeño-filled peppers that are sold in markets in Mexico in this recipe. These make a wonderful side dish or main served with a simple salad
Posh cheese rolls
Nici Wickes would not deign to improve on the original South Island cheese roll, but these wee beauties are a bit more posh and they're just fancy enough to serve them with Champagne at parties!
Ham and cheese crêpe bake
Nici Wickes' ham and cheese crêpe bake recipe is rich, cheesy and absolutely moreish. Serve with a fresh green salad for a delicious meal when you're craving something devilishly comforting
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Bacon ranch cheese ball with crackers
A cheese ball is a magnificent, old-school way to feed a fair few peckish guests. This American-inspired recipe is full of salty bacon bits, creamy ranch seasoning and crunchy roasted pecans. Photography by Jani Shephered/Gatherum Collectif
20 ways with ricotta
Soft, versatile Italian cheese ricotta is a creamy addition to a range of sweet and savoury dishes. Try it in these delicious pasta, cake, tart, fritter and pudding recipes
16 delicious ways to eat blue cheese
Blue cheese is so much more than a platter staple. Cooked with gnocchi or pasta, baked with vegetables, crumbed on a tart or added to a salad, these recipes are essential for any blue cheese addict.
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12 decadent cheesecake slice recipes
Marry two of your favourite desserts into one delicious treat with these decadent cheesecake slice recipes. From fruity combos to chocolate numbers, you're sure to love these sweet bites
Butternut risotto
Sweet, nutty butternut is the key to making this delicious risotto shine. Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe is perfect for creating a tasty, comforting weeknight meal
Gluten free ‘mac’ and cheese
By using cauliflower instead of pasta, this wonderfully comforting gluten free ‘mac’ and cheese recipe is the perfect way to increase your 5+ a day intake while enjoying a delicious lower-carb meal
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iCoco Café’s savoury muffins
iCoco Café shares the recipe for their popular savoury muffins. Simple yet packed with flavour, these muffins make a perfect snack or lunch box filler
Savoury muffins with feta and ham
This savoury muffin recipe creates a tasty snack that's perfect for enjoying at any time of the day and can easily be filled with any veges you have on hand in the fridge
Toasted pastrami fingers
Toasting this club sandwich makes the best snack ever! Nici Wickes doesn't scrimp when it comes to packing these cheesy, pickley pastrami fingers full of plenty of fillings
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Cheese and garlic stuffed naan bread
Love naan? It's easier than you think to create this Indian favourite at home with this naan bread recipe. Better still, this version is stuffed with cheese and garlic - yum!
Marinated bocconcini
This marinated bocconcini recipe is beautifully flavoured with lemon, rosemary and chillies, plus it will keep for several weeks. A must for your next cheese platter