Queso con Membrillo Recipe: Easy Galician Cheese Dessert 2026

Queso con membrillo is one of the simplest and most beloved desserts in Galician cooking, a sweet-and-savory pairing of creamy cheese and firm quince paste that shows up at family tables, bars, and restaurants all over the region. It takes just five minutes to put together and needs no cooking at all, which makes it a lifesaver when you want something special without turning on the stove.

The magic here is all about contrast: the mild, buttery Arzúa-Ulloa cheese against the dense, sweet-tart quince paste. Serve it as a dessert, a snack, or part of a cheese board, and it disappears fast.

Ingredients for Queso con Membrillo

For 8 servings, you will need just two ingredients. Use a good-quality Arzúa-Ulloa cheese or another soft, creamy cow's milk cheese if you can't find it.

• 800 g Arzúa-Ulloa cheese
• 400 g quince paste (membrillo)

How to Make Queso con Membrillo Step by Step

1. Cut the cheese into thick slices

Start by cutting the 800 g of Arzúa-Ulloa cheese. Cut the whole piece in half, then slice each half lengthwise into slabs a little more than half a centimeter thick. The cheese is soft and creamy, so a sharp knife and a gentle hand will give you the cleanest slices.

2. Trim the rind and cut into rectangles

Once you have your slices, trim off the rind from each one. Then cut each slice into rectangles that are easy to eat in two bites. You can also cut the cheese into squares or wedges if you prefer, but rectangles stack neatly with the quince paste.

3. Cut the quince paste

Now cut the 400 g of quince paste into rectangles that match the size and thickness of the cheese pieces. Quince paste is dense and sticky, so a sharp knife works best; you can wipe the blade between cuts if it starts to drag.

4. Plate and serve

To assemble, arrange the cheese pieces on a serving platter and place a piece of quince paste on top of each one. Serve right away so the cheese is at its creamiest and the flavors are at their best.

Tips for the Best Queso con Membrillo

Choose the right cheese

Arzúa-Ulloa is the traditional choice, a protected designation of origin cheese made with cow's milk in the dairy heartland of Galicia, mainly around Arzúa, Melide, A Ulloa, and Chantada. It is young, mild, lightly salty, and remarkably creamy, which is exactly what you want here. If you cannot find it, look for another soft, creamy cow's milk cheese with low acidity.

Let the cheese come to room temperature

Take the cheese out of the fridge about half an hour before serving. At room temperature, its creaminess and full flavor come through in a way that cold cheese just cannot match. This small step makes a big difference in the final bite.

Cut the pieces to your liking

There is no strict rule for the shape: squares, rectangles, or wedges all work. What matters is that the quince paste pieces are similar in size and thickness to the cheese so each bite has a balanced ratio of sweet to savory. In many Galician homes, rectangles that can be eaten in two bites are the norm.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything—cozy comfort classics, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I'll reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this sophisticated Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

Come breakfast time or when I'm after a lighter bite, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean-inspired spreads, I'll bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion calls for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is a favorite of mine to serve.

Hearty midday meals and slow, cozy suppers are where these shine: the warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Craving something even more substantial? I'll bake up this hearty Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultimate comfort plate, this French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

When street-food cravings hit or I'm feeding a crowd, out come this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, boldly seasoned Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These fuss-free Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make a great little appetizer or snack.

And when I'm mixing drinks and planning a whole spread for company, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To tie the whole meal together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

These are the recipes I find myself making over and over—whether it's a fast solo meal or a festive spread for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the beloved Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture really helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and effortless, I'll typically make the traditional Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. When I want a heartier comfort dish, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner, this One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes rooted in tradition from all over the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's classic Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture without eating up time. My regular lineup includes the Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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