Brazilian Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Romeu e Julieta (Cheese and Guava Paste)
A beloved Brazilian pairing of sweet guava paste and salty white cheese, simple, elegant, and endlessly craveable.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Good to know
- Ready in under 30 minutes
Matched from this dish's own ingredients and timing. Browse more: 30-minute meals
Instructions
5 steps- 1
Slice the guava paste into 1/4-inch thick pieces.
- 2
Slice the cheese into pieces of similar size and thickness.
- 3
Arrange alternating slices of guava paste and cheese on a serving plate.
- 4
Serve as is, or stack a slice of each on a cracker for easy bites.
- 5
Best enjoyed at room temperature so the cheese and paste soften slightly.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
78/100
Good fit for most families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving240
Calories
14 g
Protein
8 g
Carbs
16 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Named for Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, Romeu e Julieta is Brazil's beloved pairing of sweet guava paste and salty white cheese, a combination so ingrained in Brazilian food culture that the name alone conjures the dish without further explanation. Guava paste production is deeply tied to Minas Gerais, the same dairy-rich state famous for the fresh Minas cheese that traditionally accompanies it, making the pairing a genuine regional marriage as much as a flavor one.
Listahan note
This version is built simply as a room-temperature cheese board rather than baked or grilled, letting the guava paste soften just enough against the cheese to highlight the contrast between sweet and salty in each bite.
Technique cues
- The pairing works because Minas cheese is unusually mild and slightly salty rather than sharp, so it doesn't compete with the guava paste's concentrated sweetness.
- Serving both components at room temperature, rather than cold from the fridge, softens their textures just enough for the flavors to fully open up.
- Slicing the guava paste and cheese to matching thickness matters more than it seems, since a too-thick paste slice overwhelms a thin cheese slice with sweetness.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Slice the guava paste and cheese at the same time on the same board so both are ready to arrange together
- Make-ahead
- Both components can be sliced up to a few hours ahead and kept covered in the fridge, then brought to room temperature just before serving
- Leftover move
- Wrap any unused guava paste and cheese separately and use them again the next day rather than storing them stacked together
- Cleanup rhythm
- This dish needs only a cutting board and knife, so cleanup is essentially just one quick wipe-down
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
guava paste (goiabada)
The sweet half of the pairing
Purpose: Its dense, jammy sweetness is what defines the whole dish and gives it its name
Handling: Slice into even quarter-inch pieces so it pairs proportionally with the cheese
Adaptation: Quince paste is the closest substitute in texture and sweetness if guava paste isn't available
fresh Minas cheese or mozzarella
The salty, mild counterpart
Purpose: Its firm texture and gentle saltiness balance the guava paste without competing against it
Handling: Slice to match the thickness of the guava paste pieces for an even bite
Adaptation: Fresh mozzarella or a mild queso fresco both work as accessible substitutes
whole-grain crackers
Optional base for easy serving
Purpose: Gives guests a way to eat the pairing in one bite without utensils
Handling: Arrange a slice of each on top of a cracker just before serving so it doesn't go soft
Adaptation: Thin toasted baguette slices work well in place of crackers
Technique notes
- Let both the cheese and guava paste come fully to room temperature before serving - cold straight from the fridge mutes the flavor contrast that makes the pairing work.
- Cut the guava paste with a clean, slightly wet knife blade, since its sticky texture otherwise drags and tears rather than slicing cleanly.
- Arrange the slices so guava paste and cheese alternate and slightly overlap, which makes it easy for guests to pick up a bite of both together.
Ingredient swaps
- Dairy-free option
- A firm dairy-free cheese alternative can stand in for the Minas cheese, though the flavor will be noticeably different
- Lower-sugar direction
- Use a thinner slice of guava paste relative to the cheese to reduce the overall sugar per bite without losing the pairing's character
- Gluten-free direction
- Skip the crackers or serve with a gluten-free cracker, since the guava paste and cheese themselves are naturally gluten-free
Serve alongside
- Pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread)
- fresh guava or papaya slices
- a simple green salad if serving as part of a larger spread
- Strong Brazilian coffee (cafezinho)
- a glass of port or dessert wine
- fresh guava juice for a non-alcoholic pairing
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Refrigerate any unused guava paste and cheese separately, each well wrapped, up to a week
- Best served fresh; this isn't a dish meant for reheating
- Bring back to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving leftovers
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Serving platter
- Plastic wrap for storing extras
Make this household-aware
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