There are several types of cheese that commonly contain walnuts. Some of the most popular walnut-studded cheeses include:
Gorgonzola
Gorgonzola is a veined Italian blue cheese that is often mixed with walnuts. The walnuts add a nice crunch and complementary flavor to the rich, salty cheese. Gorgonzola with walnuts makes a delicious addition to salads, pasta, pizza and more.
Wensleydale
Wensleydale is a crumbly, white cheese from England. It has a mild, fresh flavor. Wensleydale with cranberries and walnuts is a classic variety. The sweet-tart cranberries and crunchy walnuts balance the creamy cheese nicely.
Chevre
Chevre (goat cheese) is often rolled in chopped walnuts before being formed into logs or rounds. The nut coating provides a nice textural contrast to the smooth, tangy cheese. Walnut-crusted chevre is delicious on its own, on crackers, or baked into tarts.
Mascarpone
Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese. It has a rich, luxurious texture. Mascarpone is sometimes combined with walnuts in desserts like tiramisu. The walnuts add a pleasant crunch to contrast the silky mascarpone.
Ricotta
Ricotta cheese has a fresh, milky flavor and soft texture. It is often mixed into dessert fillings and sweets with walnuts. For example, ricotta cheesecake or cannoli cream may include walnuts for an added flavor and textural dimension.
Blue cheese walnut spread
Many brands make blue cheese walnut spreads, combining crumbled blue cheese like Roquefort or Gorgonzola with chopped walnuts. These spreads have a robust, pungent flavor and creamy texture. They make a great dip or sandwich spread.
Goat cheese
Goat cheese logs are often coated in chopped walnuts before being aged. The walnuts add crunch and flavor to the tangy cheese. Soft goat cheese blended with walnuts makes a delicious spread as well.
Cream cheese
Cream cheese is sometimes combined with walnuts in dips, spreads and desserts. Walnuts add flavor and variety to the rich cream cheese. Popular cream cheese-walnut combinations include spinach dip and cheesecake.
Brie
Brie is a soft French cheese with a creamy texture and mild flavor. Whole walnuts are frequently paired with brie as a cheese course. The crunchy nuts contrast the smooth brie nicely. Walnut pieces are also sometimes baked into brie en croute.
Manchego
Manchego is a Spanish cheese made from sheep’s milk. It has a firm texture and nutty, salty flavor. Manchego is often served with whole walnuts or walnut pieces as an appetizer or tapa. The walnuts complement the cheese’s nuttiness.
Asiago
Asiago is an Italian cow’s milk cheese that can range from soft to hard in texture. It has a sharp, robust flavor. Asiago cheese boards and platters frequently contain walnuts to balance the cheese’s bold taste.
Cheddar
Aged cheddar has a sharp, complex flavor that goes well with nuts. Cheddar with walnuts is a classic combination, often enjoyed together as an appetizer. The walnuts also taste great baked into cheddar scones or sprinkled over cheddar soups and salads.
Pecorino
Pecorino is a hard Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk. It has a bold, salty flavor that stands up well to walnuts. Walnut-studded pecorino scones are popular. And walnut oil and balsamic tossed with grated pecorino makes a good salad topper.
Gouda
Gouda is a Dutch cheese known for its smooth, creamy texture and mild, nutty flavor. The nuttiness of gouda complements walnuts nicely. Walnuts are often paired with gouda on cheese trays. And walnut-gouda pesto is a unique spread.
Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella has a soft, milky texture and mild taste. It is sometimes combined with walnuts in salads and appetizers. The crunch of the nuts balances the silky cheese. And the walnuts add nice flavor.
Blue cheese
Blue cheeses like Stilton, Roquefort and Gorgonzola have an assertive, tangy flavor from blue mold cultures. Their strong taste stands up well to walnuts. Walnuts are often paired with blue cheeses on boards and in salads to provide contrast.
Feta
Crumbled feta cheese has a salty, tangy flavor. It is commonly tossed in salads with walnuts, dates, tomatoes and other ingredients. Feta, walnut and pomegranate salad is a popular combination. The sweet and crunchy textures complement the briny feta.
Comté
Comté is a French cheese made from raw cow’s milk. It has a creamy, slightly nutty taste. Comté goes well with many nuts, including walnuts. Walnuts bring added crunch and flavor to Comté cheese boards.
Gruyère
Gruyère is a Swiss cheese renowned for its robust, earthy flavor. The assertive taste of Gruyère stands up well to walnuts. Gruyère and walnut crostini make an excellent appetizer.
Fontina
Fontina is an Italian cow’s milk cheese. It has a creamy texture and mild, nutty flavor. Chopped or shaved fontina goes well in salads with walnuts. The walnuts provide crunch and extra richness.
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack is an American cheese known for its creamy, smooth texture. Sprinkle walnuts over Monterey Jack for more flavor and crunch. Walnuts also taste great baked into Monterey Jack bread.
Havarti
Havarti is a semi-soft Danish cheese. It melts well and has a mild, buttery taste. Havarti with walnuts makes a great sandwich or appetizer. The walnuts provide texture and accent the cheese’s flavor.
Colby
Colby is an American cheese similar to cheddar, but milder in flavor. It has a soft, creamy texture when young. The subtle flavor of colby benefits from the addition of walnuts, which provide a nice crunch and nutty taste.
Swiss
Swiss cheese has a smooth texture and mild, nutty flavor. It pairs well with many ingredients, including walnuts. Walnuts enhance Swiss by adding crisp texture and earthy flavor.
Conclusion
Walnuts are commonly added to many different types of cheese to provide complementary flavor, texture and nutrition. Some classic walnut-studded cheeses include gorgonzola, goat cheeses, blue cheeses, aged cheddars, and soft cheeses like brie and cream cheese. The crunch of the walnuts balances the smooth, creamy textures of the cheese. And their earthy, nutty taste accents and complements the cheese flavors. Whether enjoyed in a cheese plate, salad, sandwich or dessert, walnuts make an excellent addition to cheeses of all kinds.