When it comes to elevating dinner, fresh mozzarella is like the secret ingredient that transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. Picture this: the creamy, dreamy cheese melting over a hot dish, its delicate flavor dancing alongside vibrant tomatoes or crispy prosciutto—it’s a culinary symphony! Just the other day, I stumbled upon a local farmer’s market and couldn’t resist picking up a ball of fresh mozzarella; the aroma alone was enough to inspire tonight’s dinner masterpiece.
Steps
- Mozzarella Schnitzel
- Flatten mozzarella sticks into a schnitzel shape. Coat with breadcrumbs and fry until golden and crispy, ensuring the cheese remains melted inside.
- Heirloom Tomato & Cornbread Panzanella
- Use leftover cornbread as a base. Toss with heirloom tomatoes, torn mozzarella, and basil for a fresh salad.
- Pizza Party Strata With Garlic Bread & Pepperoni
- Combine cubes of garlic bread, pepperoni, and mozzarella in a baking dish. Add marinara sauce and bake until bubbly.
- Tomato, Nectarine & Mozzarella Salad
- Slice tomatoes and nectarines, then mix with chunks of mozzarella. Serve immediately for a refreshing salad.
- Summer Farro Salad
- Cook farro and mix with fresh vegetables and mozzarella. Serve chilled as a main dish or side.
- Jim Lahey’s No-Knead Pizza Dough + Margherita Pie
- Prepare no-knead dough, then top with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil. Bake until the crust is crisp.
- Easiest, Cheesiest Skillet Dip
- Combine mozzarella, Monterey Jack, cheddar, and enoki mushrooms in a skillet. Bake until melted and serve with spicy honey.
- Creamiest Baked Mac & Cheese
- Slightly undercook pasta, then mix with extra cheese sauce. Bake until bubbly for a creamy finish.
- Cheesy, Meaty Lasagna
- Layer lasagna noodles with mozzarella, ground beef, and pancetta. Bake until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Creamy, Cheesy Artichoke & Chicken Pasta Bake
- Mix cooked pasta with artichokes, chicken, and mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Deep Dish Tomato & Mozzarella Pizza
- Prepare a deep-dish crust, fill with tomato sauce and mozzarella. Bake until the crust is crispy.
- Pea, Asparagus & Avocado Salad With Burrata
- Combine burrata, avocado, peas, and asparagus. Dress with a citrus vinaigrette and serve fresh.
- Kale Mozzarella Galette (With Bonus Empanadas for Tomorrow)
- Prepare a kale and mozzarella galette. Use leftovers to make empanadas for the next day.
- Cook’s Illustrated’s Italian Pasta Salad
- Mix sun-dried tomatoes, olives, salami, and mozzarella with pasta. Serve cold or sautéed in a skillet.
- Timballo Genovese (Timpano)
- Layer veal, pork, beef, sausage, pasta, and mozzarella in a baking dish. Cook until thoroughly baked and serve as a centerpiece.
Ingredients
- Mozzarella Schnitzel
- Mozzarella cheese
- Breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Flour
- Salt
- Pepper
- Oil for frying
- Heirloom Tomato & Cornbread Panzanella
- Leftover cornbread
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Freshly torn mozzarella
- Fresh basil
- Pizza Party Strata With Garlic Bread & Pepperoni
- Garlic bread cubes
- Pepperoni slices
- Mozzarella cheese
- Marinara sauce
- Tomato, Nectarine & Mozzarella Salad
- Tomatoes
- Nectarines
- Mozzarella
- Summer Farro Salad
- Farro
- Fresh mozzarella
- Chopped vegetables
- Jim Lahey’s No-Knead Pizza Dough + Margherita Pie
- Pizza dough ingredients (flour, yeast, water, salt)
- Mozzarella cheese
- Tomato sauce
- Fresh basil
- Easiest, Cheesiest Skillet Dip
- Mozzarella cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Spicy honey
- Enoki mushrooms
- Creamiest Baked Mac & Cheese
- Macaroni pasta
- Cheese sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cheesy, Meaty Lasagna
- Mozzarella cheese
- Ground beef
- Pancetta or bacon
- Lasagna noodles
- Tomato sauce
- Creamy, Cheesy Artichoke & Chicken Pasta Bake
- – Artichokes
- – Chicken
- – Mozzarella cheese
- – Pasta
- Deep Dish Tomato & Mozzarella Pizza
- – Pizza dough
- – Mozzarella cheese
- – Tomato sauce
- Pea, Asparagus & Avocado Salad With Burrata
- – Burrata cheese
- – Avocado
- – Peas
- – Asparagus
- – Citrus dressing
- Kale Mozzarella Galette (With Bonus Empanadas for Tomorrow)
- – Kale
- – Mozzarella cheese
- – Pastry dough
- Cook’s Illustrated’s Italian Pasta Salad
- – Sun-dried tomatoes
- – Olives
- – Salami
- – Mozzarella cheese
- – Pasta
- Timballo Genovese (Timpano)
- – Veal
- – Pork
- – Beef
- – Sausage
- – Pasta
- – Mozzarella cheese
FAQ
- What makes mozzarella cheese unique compared to other cheeses?
- Mozzarella is renowned for its smooth, elastic texture and ability to melt beautifully, making it ideal for dishes that feature a gooey, stretchy cheese pull, such as pizzas and pasta bakes.
- Can I substitute other cheeses for mozzarella in these recipes?
- While mozzarella is preferred for its melting qualities, you can experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack or cheddar for a different flavor and texture. However, keep in mind that the end result might differ from the original recipe’s intention.
- How can I prevent macaroni and cheese from becoming dry?
- To achieve a creamy macaroni and cheese, it’s recommended to slightly undercook the pasta and use more cheese sauce than you might initially think necessary, ensuring a luscious texture.
- Is it possible to make pizza dough at home without extensive baking experience?
- Yes, Jim Lahey’s no-knead pizza dough recipe is designed to be simple and accessible, allowing even novice bakers to create a classic margherita pie with ease.
- Can salads featuring mozzarella be served as a main dish?
- Absolutely, salads like the Summer Farro Salad with fresh mozzarella can be hearty enough to serve as a complete meal, especially when they include grains or proteins.
Tips
- When preparing a cheesy dish like baked mac & cheese, slightly undercook the pasta to achieve the creamiest texture, and use more cheese sauce than you might initially think.
- For a versatile pizza dough that even a beginner can handle, try a no-knead approach to simplify the process and create a classic margherita pie from scratch.
- To enhance the umami flavor in a cheesy skillet dip, consider adding a secret ingredient like enoki mushrooms along with your choice of cheeses.
- When making lasagna, incorporate ground beef and pancetta or bacon for a meatier flavor, ensuring the mozzarella layer is gooey and golden-brown for the best result.
Equipment
- Skillet – For the Easiest, Cheesiest Skillet Dip.
- Deep-Dish Pizza Pan – For the Deep Dish Tomato & Mozzarella Pizza.
- Galette Pan or Baking Sheet – For the Kale Mozzarella Galette.
- Timballo Mold – For the Timballo Genovese (Timpano).
