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The Ultimate Cheese Challenge Returns: Which Cheese Will Reign Supreme?

It’s that time of year again—the battle of the cheeses is back! For the next four weeks, we’re putting our top cheese curd flavors against our best block cheeses in a friendly (but fierce) competition. Will the squeaky, snackable curds hold onto their crown, or will the rich and creamy block cheeses claim victory this year? That’s for you to decide!

How to Join the Fun

Ready to cast your vote and help crown this year’s Cheese Champion? Here’s how you can get in on the action:

🧀 Taste & Decide: Visit our Ellsworth or Menomonie retail stores to sample all the competing cheeses. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering a new favorite, this is your chance to savor each delicious bite before making your pick. (Not near a store? No problem! You can still vote online!)

🧀 Vote for Your Favorite: After tasting, make your voice heard! Cast your vote either in-store or online to help push your favorite cheese to the next round. Every vote counts, and only one cheese will come out on top!

🧀 Follow the Showdown: Stay tuned to our social media pages and website for battle updates, surprising upsets, and behind-the-scenes cheese insights. We’ll be sharing highlights, fun facts, and of course, the results of each round!

Who Will Take the Title?

Will our classic cheese curds defend their title, or will a bold, flavorful block cheese rise to the occasion? Only time (and your votes) will tell! One thing’s for sure—it’s going to be an epic, cheese-filled showdown from start to finish.

Get Involved Now!

Don’t sit on the sidelines—grab your fellow cheese lovers and jump into the challenge! Whether you’re a fan of mild and melty, sharp and tangy, or a spicy kick, there’s a cheese for everyone in this friendly fight for flavor dominance.

Let the battle begin! 🏆🧀

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Burrito Bowl Bake

Burrito Bowl Bake

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Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cooked rice, white or brown
  • 2 cups chicken, cooked and diced
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (11 oz) Mexicorn, drained
  • 1 can (10 oz) tomatoes with green chili
  • 1 cup Ellsworth Pepper Jack Cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 1 can (2.25 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained
  • 1 cup Ellsworth Cheddar Cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Mix first 9 ingredients in a bowl until combined. Place in greased oven safe baking dish. Top with onions and olives.
  • Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and bake 5-10 more minutes until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

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Ingredients
  

  • 6 large potatoes
  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup Ellsworth Smoke & Bacon Cheddar Cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup onion, chopped
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions
 

  • Place potatoes in a large saucepan; cover with water. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until very tender; drain well.
  • In a bowl, mash potatoes. Add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, sour cream, onion, egg, salt and pepper; beat until fluffy. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with additional cheese if desired.

Notes

Adapted from a recipe by Taste of Home.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Cheesy Kielbasa Casserole

Cheesy Kielbasa Casserole

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Ingredients
  

  • 1 bag (32 oz) hash browns, defrosted
  • 18 oz kielbasa, thawed and cut into small pieces
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 2-1/2 cups Ellsworth Monterey Jack & Cheddar Cheeses, divided
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder

Instructions
 

  • Combine hash browns, seasonings, kielbasa, onion, and 2 cups of the cheese in a greased crock pot.
  • In a separate bowl, combine cream of chicken, butter, cream and milk. Pour over hash brown mix.
  • Sprinkle remaining cheese over top.
  • Cook on high for 3 hours.

Notes

Adapted from a recipe by My Incredible Recipes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Sweet Heat Chicken Dip

 

Sweet Heat Chicken Dip

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Course Appetizer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup chicken, cooked & shredded
  • 1/3 cup pickled hot peppers (or banana peppers for less heat), diced
  • 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, divided if baking
  • 1-1/2 cup Ellsworth Colby Cheese, shredded and divided if baking

Instructions
 

  • Heat oil in skillet and cooked onions and peppersuntil tender. 
  • Add chicken, pickled peppers, cream cheese, sourcream, mayonnaise, ½ of BBQ sauce and ½ cup of cheese. 
  • Spread into the bottom of baking dish, top withremaining BBQ sauce and cheese. 
  • Bake at 350F for 20-30 minutes or until cheese melts and sided are bubbling.
  • Slow Cooker:  Cook onions and peppers in oil and combine with remaining ingredients in bottom of crock pot. Cook on low for 2-4 hours or high for 1 -2 hours, until cheese is nice and melted.

Notes

Adapted from a recipe by Closet Cooking.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Chili Cheese Dip

 

Chili Cheese Dip

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Ingredients
  

  • 40 oz Ellsworth EZ Melt White Cheese 
  • 2 cans (15oz) No-bean chili
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 3 tbsp chili powder 
  • 2 tbsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • green onions and/or cilantro for garnish
  • tortilla chips for serving

Instructions
 

  • Cube processed cheese.
  • Place all ingredients in slow cooker.
  • Cook on high for one hour stirring halfwaythrough,  or cook on low for 2-3 hours.
  • Garnish with chopped green onions and/or cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips.
  • Reheats well in microwave or on stovetop.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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