Does fresh mozzarella melt well? That depends. There are several parameters that need to be discussed when it comes to the meltability of mozzarella cheese. And because there are several kinds of mozzarella available on the market, it is important to know which is which and the melting points of each. So, if you’re ready, let’s dive into the juicy question, “Does fresh mozzarella melt?”
Table of Contents
- Does Fresh Mozzarella Cheese Melt?
- How to Melt Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
- Melting Fresh Mozzarella For Italian Fare
- Does Fresh Mozzarella Melt the Same As Regular Mozzarella?
- Margherita Pizza Recipe
- Does Fresh Mozzarella Melt? Kind of!
- FAQs
Does Fresh Mozzarella Cheese Melt?
Yes! Fresh mozzarella cheese does melt. However, it may not melt the way that you want it to.
Those who prefer shredded mozzarella cheese may raise an eyebrow at the melting process (and results) for fresh mozzarella. That’s because cut fresh mozzarella melts, looks, and performs differently than low moisture mozzarella.
Can You Melt Fresh Mozzarella Cheese?
Remember that fresh mozzarella cheese can melt, but it won’t melt in the way that you’d expect shredded mozzarella cheese to. Instead, the mozzarella will keep its solid shape and will collapse into small puddles of these throughout a dish.
At What Temperature Does Melting Fresh Mozzarella Require?
Mozzarella cheese typically melts at temperatures over 130 °F (or 55 °C). The exact temperature will depend on your heating source, cheese quality, preparation methods and more.
When fresh mozzarella cheese melts, it typically releases liquid. You’ll want to be aware of this when using soft mozzarella because it can affect your dish. In many cases, the excess water means your dish will be rendered liquid-y and soggy. Because of this, you’ll want to be careful to follow specific techniques in order to effectively utilize high moisture mozzarella.
Why Is My Mozzarella Cheese Not Melting?
Melting mozzarella cheese can be a different process depending on what method and type of mozzarella you are using.
As previously mentioned, fresh mozzarella cheese melts at temperatures exceeding 130 °F (or 55 °C) but at what exact temperature varies depending on certain parameters.
Additionally, however, it is important to note that though mozzarella cheese does melt at these temperatures, it may not melt the way you expect it to. You can expect those slices of mozzarella cheese to turn into gooey globs throughout your pasta or on top of your pizza. This may or may not be something you’re used to. Still, when done right, it can be downright delicious.
But what about other mozzarella cheese types? Why wouldn’t they be melting? Reasons you may find your mozzarella isn’t melting include:
- Using low quality mozzarella
- Using low fat mozzarella or part skim mozzarella cheese
- Not heating high enough (or long enough)
- Expecting fresh mozzarella or string cheese to melt like shredded cheese or mozzarella sticks (they don’t!)
Does Fresh Mozzarella Melt in Pasta?
Yes, fresh mozzarella can melt in pasta. However, it won’t be the same type of melt you’re used to.
Instead, expect there to be gooey “puddles” of cheese throughout your sauce that possibly won’t fully incorporate into the mix. For some, this is perfectly acceptable and even preferable. But to those who prefer shredded mozzarella cheese melting abilities, this will only yield disappointment.
If you aren’t used to using fresh mozzarella cheese in a dish, I highly recommend purchasing processed mozzarella (otherwise known as shredded cheese) for equal distribution throughout the pasta, as well as for the ultimate cheese strings and meltability.
Does Fresh Mozzarella Melt in Sauce?
Fresh mozzarella won’t melt uniformly into sauce like other cheese melts. Fresh milk mozzarella will only “pool” or puddle in spots. Thus, real mozzarella, though it will remain stringy, will still retain a lot of its solid properties. Thus, this chewy mozzarella makes for great flavor but isn’t so great when making a smooth and uniform sauce.
Will Fresh Mozzarella Melt in Sauce?
If you expect your mozzarella cheese to “truly” melt when mixing it into a sauce, you may find yourself disappointed.
Though fresh mozzarella does melt, it doesn’t do so in the same way as it would if you would have bought low moisture cheese. Instead, fresh mozzarella tends to turn gooier. You’ll still get those delicious mozzarella strands in your dish once it’s melted, but it may not distribute as easily as it may have if you use low moisture buffalo mozzarella or something similar.
How to Melt Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
Wondering how to melt mozzarella cheese? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In the following sections, we’ll be detailing the best ways to melt fresh mozzarella cheese under nearly any circumstance. So, without further ado, let’s dive into it!
How to Melt Fresh Mozzarella in Oven
Yes, absolutely you can use the oven. The direct and concentrated heat is perfect for turning the fresh cheese into something truly delightful. To do so, try the following steps:
- Preheat your broiler on low.
- Add one can of crushed tomatoes or pasta sauce to a cast iron skillet.
- Add mozzarella slices on top of the sauce.
- Top with parmesan cheese, oregano, basil or Italian spices if desired.
- Once preheated, place the cheese slices under the broiler for about 5 minutes.
- Once golden brown and bubbly, remove from the oven.
- Serve atop bread or pasta.
Can You Melt Fresh Mozzarella in a Pan?
You can melt mozzarella cheese in a pan, but it will require preparation to do so.
First, be sure to grab a non-stick pan.
Next, you’ll need to grate your mozzarella. This is the only way to ensure that the cheese melts in a uniform way.
Keeping the heat low, place your mozzarella in the pan. Add a little bit of cornstarch and evaporated milk to help the mozzarella to melt.
Whisk in a dash of vinegar.
Continue whipping until you achieve the smooth texture you desire. Add a slice of white American cheese if desired to help further smooth your results.
Can You Melt Fresh Mozzarella in a Microwave?
In order to melt fresh mozzarella cheese in the microwave, try the following steps:
- Place your sliced fresh mozzarella cheese in a microwave safe bowl.
- Add a bit of cornstarch (about 1/5 tsp) and a splash of evaporated milk to the bowl. Doing this will ensure that your cheese stays uniform throughout the melting process.
- Once you’ve added your evaporated milk and cornstarch, add a bit of distilled vinegar. The vinegar keeps the cheese smooth and has a bold flavor. Other acidic ingredients, such as lemon, wine, or beer aren’t suggested as these will add strong flavors to your cheese.
- Once everything has been placed into the bowl, allow the cheese to microwave for 30 seconds on the highest setting.
- Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and give the melty cheese a good stir. Continue to stir until the cheese is smooth and uniform.
- Note: If there are lumps in the cheese or the cheese doesn’t become uniform, feel free to pop it back in the oven. Nike the cheese for 5-10 second intervals or until the cheese melts and is smooth.
- Put shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese in a microwave-safe bowl.
Melting Fresh Mozzarella For Italian Fare
As you can see, melting fresh mozzarella is tricky but can be done. Thankfully, there are easier and simpler ways to melt mozzarella cheese directly onto food. Keep reading to find out how!
How to Melt Fresh Mozzarella for Pasta
In most cases, you’ll want to cube your mozzarella cheese and throw it in close to last. This will enable the cheese to melt without becoming too stringy to be enjoyed within the pasta. Remember that fresh mozzarella won’t completely melt into a uniform consistency, meaning that trying to mix it in fully won’t happen.
Also, by heating the mozzarella for long periods of time within the pasta dish, you’ll be rendering more liquid which could cause your pasta to become goopy and soupy. Instead, simply cube your fresh cheese ahead of time to be thrown in last.
How to Melt Mozzarella Cheese on Pizza
When melting cheese like fresh mozzarella on pizza, there’s a bit of preparation you’ll want to do beforehand.
First and foremost, you should cut your mozzarella slices thinly to prevent them from releasing too much water on your pizza.
After you’ve thinly sliced your mozzarella, allow them to sit on a paper towel for at least 10 minutes. This can help drain fresh mozzarella so that you can melt cheese easily without it becoming too watery.
Once drained, add the mozzarella cheese to the pizza and cook over high heat. Typically a heat of 450-500 °F is best for cooking pizza, but you should follow the guidelines according to the recipe you’re using. Remember that fresh mozzarella cheese can handle high temperatures quite well, so you don’t need to worry too much about it scorching in a short amount of time.
Does Fresh Mozzarella Melt in Lasagna?
Yes, fresh mozzarella will melt in lasagna the same way it will melt on pizza and pasta sauce. When using fresh mozzarella for lasagna in this way, you’ll need to adjust your expectations. This type of “Neapolitan” lasagna is cleaner tasting and delightful, though it is a bit different from the usual lasagna made from pre shredded mozzarella.
Give it a try and see what you think!
Does Fresh Mozzarella Melt the Same As Regular Mozzarella?
No, it does not.
While it does melt, fresh mozzarella balls won’t melt the same way that shredded mozzarella cheese melts.
How Are Fresh Mozzarella Balls Different From String and Shredded Mozzarella Cheese?
As you may or may not already know, there are major differences between fresh mozzarella, shredded mozzarella cheese, and even string cheese. Though all of these cheeses , the form in which the mozzarella comes makes a big difference when it comes to melting points.
Before we get to the melting point of fresh mozzarella cheese, it can help to understand the differences between fresh, string, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
Mozzarella String cheese: Much like shredded mozzarella cheese, string cheese is dried out. This means that the cheese is no longer kept in the water or brine, but instead is left to dry so that it becomes low moisture. The result is a stringy peelable cheese that makes the perfect addition to lunch or to be enjoyed as a snack.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese is mozzarella that has been made the traditional way and is then “aged” and dried out. By allowing the mozzarella to sit, it loses moisture which is why you see most shredded mozzarella cheese labeled as “low moisture mozzarella“.
Fresh mozzarella ball: A fresh mozzarella ball is made from the traditional mozzarella-making method and doesn’t last very long. It is typically sold in water or brine to maintain moisture levels. It is creamy, soft, and often eaten raw. Still, once you drain fresh mozzarella, it can also be cooked. You’ll want to use special precautions when doing so though.
Margherita Pizza Recipe
- 1 homemade pizza dough (or 1 store-bought pizza dough)
- 28 ounces whole San Marzano tomatoes
- 12 ounces fresh mozzarella balls, ideally water-packed
- Thinly sliced basil leaves
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions
- To begin, preheat your oven to 500 °F. It is important that your oven is really this hot when placing your pizza in, so allow your oven to preheat for at least 30 minutes to an hour before proceeding. Note: If you’re using a baker’s stone or peel, you can place it on the upper rack now to allow it to preheat with the oven.
- Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, place your canned tomatoes (with the juice) inside. Use your hands to crush the tomatoes.
- Once crushed, spread ¾ cup of the fresh tomato sauce evenly over your pizza. You can leave an inch around the edges without sauce if you wish.
- Take your fresh mozzarella and drain any excess water from it. Slice your mozzarella into thin slices or tear them off into smaller balls. Place the mozzarella pieces onto paper towels and wait about 10 minutes.
- Evenly distribute the mozzarella cheese over the pizza, focusing the most on the middle of the pizza. As the cheese melts it will spread towards the edges.
- Bake your pizza on the top tack until the cheese begins to turn golden and bubbly. This may happen at around the 10-12 minutes mark. Note: The amount of time this happens varies wildly. Using a pizza peel or stone can significantly reduce cooking times. Be sure to watch it carefully!
- Once finished, top your pizza with fresh basil leaves. You can also drizzle olive oil over it along with a few pinches of red pepper flakes. Keep the pizza in the refrigerator for about 4 days.
Does Fresh Mozzarella Melt? Kind of!
Yes, fresh mozzarella melts…kind of. Remember that the melting ability of high moisture mozzarella is a bit different from that of low moisture mozzarella. Because of this, it is important that you adjust your expectations concerning how the cheese will look and taste, given that it is a different consistency.
Having said that, fresh mozzarella can be a force to be reckoned with, especially when used in lieu of processed mozzarella cheese. Fresh mozzarella is delicious cheese in its pure form. Still, it requires a bit of prep work when it comes to melting.
Have you ever melted fresh mozzarella cheese before? What dish do you like to use it in?
I hope this helps answer the question. See you next time!
FAQs
Does fresh mozzarella melt like regular mozzarella?
No, it does not. Fresh mozzarella melts in “pools” and releases water as it does so. It also does not achieve a smooth and uniform consistency like pre shredded mozzarella does.
Does fresh mozzarella brown in the oven?
Yes. Fresh mozzarella will get brown and bubbly after about 5 minutes under a broiler at low heat.
What’s the difference between mozzarella cheese and fresh mozzarella cheese?
Low moisture mozzarella cheese is that that is pre shredded or sold as a block. It has been aged longer and dried out to achieve a much longer shelf life than fresh mozzarella cheese. The two also perform differently in terms of consistency and texture.
Does fresh mozzarella melt on pizza?
Yes, it does! But not in the way you’d expect. Expect the cheese to release water and sit in small globs on the pizza. It will not spread out to be uniform throughout the pizza the way shredded mozzarella does.
Does fresh mozzarella taste different than shredded mozzarella?
Both types of mozzarella have a delicate and mild flavor. Sometimes, the fresh mozzarella can taste a bit more salty due to the brine it sits in.
What about using fresh mozz in a recipe like stuffed chicken breast?