There are over 650 varieties of cheese, and everyone has at least one favorite. Prepared the right way, cheese can be a whole meal on its own. Better yet, prep-time can take from 5 to 20 minutes tops, thanks to the smooth texture of most types.
Although a lot of people love cheese, no one loves it as much as Italians! It plays a huge role in Italian cuisine. Not only did Italians help spread it around the globe, but they also discovered numerous factors to affect a cheese’s flavor, texture, smell, etc.
A cheese platter is one of the most common kinds of appetizers, called antipasto in Italian. Here are some Italian cheese platter ideas you can easily implement.
A Summary of our Italian Cheese Platter Ideas
If you don’t have enough time, here’s a shortlist of the Italian cheese platters we’ll be discussing.
- Cheese & Crackers Party Tray
- Cheese & Meat Platter
- Antipasto Platter
- Elegant Cheese & Fruits Platter
- Low-Carb Cheese Platter
- Kid-Friendly Cheese Platter Recipe
- Cinnamon Cheese Platter Recipe
- Mexican-Italian Cheese Platter Recipe
8 Italian Cheese Platter Ideas for Your Next Gathering
Here are the top Italian cheese platter recipes that combine nicely, taste great, and are easy to prep. Most of the ingredients can be bought at your local store!
1. Cheese & Crackers Party Tray
There are four kinds of cheese—cheddar, swiss, Colby, and Havarti in this recipe. The best thing about it is the variety of crackers the recipe suggests. There are thin wheat crackers, woven wheat ones, and round buttery as well.
That way, the cheese isn’t eaten as a standalone. You can throw in some grapes and red apple slices, too, if you want to add a fruity touch.
2. Cheese & Meat Platter
Cheese and meat is an interesting combination, especially in platters. Usually, we hear about burgers stuffed with cheese, and that’s pretty much it. Platters of cheese and meat aren’t that common; that’s why we thought you’d love this one.
In this recipe, you’ll need 8 ounces of sliced salami, pepperoni, and lunch meat each.
There are only two pounds of cheese added because the main ingredient is meat. You may choose between cheddar, pepper jack, and swiss cheese. It’ll be served alongside some cream cheese.
There is the usual addition of fruits for taste-balancing, but perhaps the eye-catching addition in this recipe is the jar of marshmallow crème. It’s definitely something to give a shot if you’re looking to try something new.
3. Antipasto Platter
In this recipe, the main players are cheese and veggies. It’s a simple, delicious, and healthy combination that your guests will love.
You’ll need 16 ounces of cheese that include cheddar, blue cheese, mozzarella, and goat cheese. Then, you have a tomato, quarter a cup of capers, 8 ounces of roasted red peppers, and 4 ounces of arugula or lettuce.
You can play with the recipe and change the ingredients according to your personal preference. However, it’s hard to match the taste of the original mix!
4. Elegant Cheese & Fruits Platter
If you’re opting for a summer platter, this recipe is your go-to option. With the variety of fruits in it, your guest will stay refreshed. You can pair it with a cup of orange juice for a perfect meal.
The recipe includes apples, pears, strawberries, green and red grapes, as well as dried apricots, cherries, and cranberries.
For the choice of cheese, you have cheddar, blue cheese, and brie. The three types go perfectly well with the sweet fruity flavor.
5. Low-Carb Cheese Platter
Cheese can be questionable when you’re on a diet. Fear not, this low-carb cheese platter won’t go against what the doctor ordered. The low content of carb means your friend, who’s on a diet, can comfortably eat it!
The creator of this recipe went for low-carb cheese that may be hard to find around your house. As an alternative, you can look for the cheese with the lowest carb content available to buy.
He added other low-carb snacks: smoked salmon, pepperoni, cucumbers, avocados, olives, a mix of berries, and a hard-boiled egg. It’s an interesting mix, indeed, and it’ll appeal to your guests.
6. Kid-Friendly Cheese Platter Recipe
If you’re inviting your kid’s friends over, this platter would be an ideal serving choice. It’s both healthy and enjoyable!
In this recipe, the aim is to make the platter look inviting enough for the kids. In the middle of a large tray, add a small bowl of nuts containing raisins, almonds, and dried blackberries. All these snacks will attract kids.
You’ll add another bowl that contains some dried apricots, which is eye-catching, and it may get the kids curious to taste it.
You can then playfully stack a line of crackers between both bowls, then mix and match the remaining spaces with grapes, sun-dried tomatoes, along with cheese like cheddar, soft cheese, and cream cheese for dipping.
7. Cinnamon Cheese Platter Recipe
If you’re hosting a classy gathering, your guests will love this minimalistic cinnamon cheese platter.
It doesn’t require many ingredients; you’ll only need half a cup of walnuts, five cinnamon sticks, 16 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese, and two sliced apples.
The apple’s taste goes perfectly well with cinnamon’s spicy flavor, and the cheesy flavor will be the cherry on top of the cake.
8. Mexican-Italian Cheese Platter Recipe
What about a Mexican-Italian cheese platter combo? This taco-cheese board is an intersection of cultures; it’s an eccentric mix-and-match that your taste buds will love you for!
Aside from the tortillas and tortilla chips, you’ll need some jalapeno flavored cream cheese, some cheddar, chicken breast grilled strips, peanuts, and colorful mini sweet peppers. The ingredients don’t look as if they belong together, but once you taste them, you’ll wonder how you didn’t think of them before!
Wrap Up
An Italian cheese platter is an excellent addition to a party or a small get-together. If you’re stuck on a minute’s notice, putting together an Italian cheese platter is as easy as rummaging through what cheese, cured meats, fruits, and veggies are in your fridge. It takes as long as ten minutes only!
Show off your newly-found Italian culture to your friends, and impress them with your cooking skills!