Cool, mellow, and just a touch sweet, Monterey Jack is one of those cheeses that pretty much everyone can agree on—why, even its name makes it sound like a fundamentally friendly fellow. One of our favorite aspects of a good Monterey Jack is how well it serves as a canvas to other flavors—Pepper Jack being one of its most popular permutations. Which lead us to think: what other savory sensations might Monterey Jack mingle well with? That, in turn, lead to some epicurean experimentation, which happily lead to Trader Joe’s Sliced Garlic and Basil Monterey Jack Cheese.

It’s crafted for us by an expert cheesemaker in Wisconsin, who infuses their Jack with rich, roasted Garlic purée and aromatic bits of Basil leaf before cutting it into sandwich-ready slices. Every bite is savory and satisfying, with a toothsome texture and a distinctly pesto-y herbaceousness that makes it especially great for grilled cheeses, patty melts, and delightfully deconstructed caprese salads and wraps. Try it on a burger, melted into an omelet, or, if you’d like a little complementary savory-sweet situation, over some freshly grilled, sliced stone fruit, and drizzled with Trader Joe’s Glaze.