American cheese gets a bad rap. It’s too processed, people say. It’s not “real.” There might be truth to these critiques, but one other thing is certainly true: It’s just so good. Melted to the perfect consistency, American cheese definitely has a place in our recipes. Here are six we know you’ll love.

Classic American Grilled Cheese (pictured above)

This one’s a no-brainer. American cheese was practically created to be melted between two slices of pillowy bread. Jeff Mauro’s version pairs a white slice with a yellow slice for the perfect eye-catching mixture.

Ultimate Backyard Burger

Of course the burger has also always been a home for a slice of American. And this mouthwatering recipe includes another undeniably addicting ingredient: bacon. (Don’t forget the homemade ketchup and the mustard aioli either.)

Chicken Cheesesteaks

Though chicken doesn’t traditionally fill a cheesesteak, we think this spin on the dish from Food Network Magazine pairs just as well with that melty cheese (of course, if you must swap in Cheez Whiz or provolone, we won’t stop you).

Roasted Vegetables and Truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese

If you’re like Damaris Phillips, you can enjoy some gooey mac-and-cheese mixed with roasted carrots, corn and broccoli — plus some fancy truffle oil. Why not?

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Good ol’ American provides a familiar out-of-the-box flavor to homemade macaroni and cheese. But spices, Havarti, cheddar and a cracker crust elevate this recipe to new, delicious heights.

Grilled Cheeseburger Kebabs

We wanted to dream up a way to put a cheeseburger on a stick (what could be more fun, right?). To stop the American cheese from melting all over the hot grill, we protected it between slices of bread. So this recipe is basically a mini grilled cheese and a mini burger, which makes it an instant winner in our book.