Say farewell to summer with our next-level cheeseburgers

As summer draws to a close, we’re spending more time on our patios and squeezing in all the enjoyment we can. It’s a time for yard games, laughter, cold drinks and warm conversation. The biggest highlights are those wonderful meals centered around our grills.

Food somehow tastes better when it’s prepared outdoors. Of all our favorite backyard foods, the cheeseburger is king. It’s deliciously simple and few combinations work better together than grilled beef and gooey, melted cheese.

With fall temperatures on our heels, now is the time for parties that impress. Get creative! While no one would turn down your basic cheeseburger, the bun is the perfect canvas to show a little grill-side artistry. Turn up the music, tie on your apron and grab a spatula. Here are five cheeseburger suggestions that will have guests lining up for another:

Feta-stuffed cheeseburgers: Try a fresh and tangy Mediterranean take on the American classic. Divide a pound of ground beef into eight portions. Ball the portions and flatten into eight thin patties. Put a quarter cup of crumbled feta onto four of the patties. Place the remaining patties on top and pinch the edges to seal in the cheese. Grill them to your desired level of doneness and top with onions, tomato slices and creamy Tzatziki sauce.

Mexican cheeseburger: The great taste of cheeseburgers is made even better with elements of our favorite Mexican dishes. Blend a packet of taco seasoning into your ground beef, prepare the patties and grill to your liking. The best burgers so often come back to your array of toppings. Melt a thick slice of monterey jack over the burger and top with lettuce, guacamole and fresh salsa. If you like your spice, kick it up a notch with some sliced jalapeños!

Amazing pizza burgers: What’s the best Italian cheese for a decadent pizza burger? Let’s use all of them! While the pizza burger is a category onto its own, the cheese does the heavy lifting in this amalgamation of our two favorite comfort foods. It starts with properly seasoned meat. Mix oregano, minced garlic and grated parmesan cheese into your ground beef for some great Italian flavor. Melt slices of provolone and mozzarella on the patties and top with tomato and fresh basil. Serve it on a toasted, crusty roll for a meal they’ll rave about.

Western cheeseburger: Almost every great burger joint serves up their own take on the western cheeseburger, and for good reason. They taste amazing. It starts with the buttery, nutty flavor of an exceptional cheddar cheese. It perfectly complements the sweet and spicy taste of your favorite barbecue sauce. Add a couple strips of crispy bacon and a generous helping of savory, crunchy French-fried onions to tie it all together.

Bacon and smoked gouda cheeseburger: Gouda cheese has a nutty flavor and just a hint of sweetness. It’s the perfect complement for the saltiness of crisp bacon. It’s a step beyond your everyday cheeseburger. Top it with lettuce, ripe tomato and sliced onion for a harmony of flavor like none other.

Those cheeseburger cravings are bound to continue after fall arrives. When you don’t feel like grilling, head out to your favorite restaurant! If you’ve ever had an excellent restaurant cheeseburger, there’s a good chance the cheese came from Agropur. Our wholesome, high-quality cheese is consistently honored in prestigious US and world cheese competitions. Click here to learn more about delicious Agropur cheese.