14 Mozzarella Recipes That'll Leave You Wanting More (2024)

Mozzarella is a perennial favorite, whether adorning pizzas, summery Caprese salads, or cold-weather comfort food classics like lasagna and baked ziti. In this collection of mozzarella-packed favorites, you will find recipes that use the cheese in all its forms: fresh and firm, aged and melty, or fashioned with cream into a big oozy ball of burrata. For those whose love of mozzarella runs especially deep, we recommend trying your hand at making fresh mozzarella from scratch.

  • Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina (Baked Gnocchi With Tomato and Mozzarella)

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    Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is a Southern Italian baked pasta starring plump potato gnocchi. The secret to success is getting each component right, from the tomato sauce to the torn pieces of fior di latte mozzarella, and to use homemade gnocchi that hold their shape but remain tender.

    Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina

  • Marinated Mozzarella, Cherry Tomato, and Basil Salad

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    Here, cherry-sized mozzarella balls (ciliegine) are marinated in extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, salt, and pepper, and then tossed with sweet cherry tomatoes and golden balsamic vinegar—a flavorful rendition of a classic (but sometimes bland) dish. Since this salad utilizes cherry tomatoes, it's inherently more versatile than a classic Caprese, which really ought to be made with peak-summer slicing tomatoes.

    Marinated Mozzarella, Cherry Tomato, and Basil Salad

  • Korean-Style Fire Chicken (Buldak) With Cheese

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    Chargrilled chicken thighs, slathered in a spicy gochujang-spiked glaze and topped off with a layer of gooey, melted mozzarella is messy, greasy, bar-food perfection.

    Korean-Style Fire Chicken (Buldak) With Cheese

  • Korean Corn Cheese

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    This sizzling skillet of sautéed onion, sweet corn kernels, and melted mozzarella is seasoned with a few spoonfuls of savory, funky doenjang paste and Chinese mustard powder. It's perfect for enjoying straight out of the oven while the cheese is nice and gooey.

    Korean Corn Cheese

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  • Baked Ziti With Two Mozzarellas and Parmesan Cream Sauce

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    Two mozzarellas—low-moisture and fresh—deliver both the best melting properties and the best fresh milky flavor to this upgraded take on baked ziti. The parmesan cream sauce stands in for the usual ricotta or cottage cheese, which has a smoother, more luxurious texture. For a more traditional take, try Kenji's recipe for no-boil baked ziti.

    Baked Ziti With Two Mozzarellas and Parmesan Cream Sauce

  • Rich and Creamy Saffron Arancini With Mozzarella

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    Made with short-grain rice and a rich bechamel, these arancini fry up with a crispy crust, a tender, creamy filling, and a core of molten mozzarella.

    Rich and Creamy Saffron Arancini With Mozzarella

  • Crostini With Blistered Cherry Tomatoes, Burrata and Chive Oil

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    The building blocks of a classic Caprese salad are re-imagined in these summery toasts. First, cherry tomatoes are blistered in a skillet until bursting with juice. Then, creamy burrata takes the place of standard fresh mozzarella. Instead of basil leaves, a quick and easy chive oil is drizzled over the toasts.

    Crostini With Blistered Cherry Tomatoes, Burrata and Chive Oil

  • Foolproof Pan Pizza

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    Say the word "mozzarella" and most people automatically think of pizza. Obviously, listing favorite recipes from our vast archive of pizza recipes is beyond the scope of this round-up. However, we would be remiss not to add at least one recipe as a reminder of all the delicious applications for mozzarella. Enter Kenji's extremely popular recipe for pan pizza, which requires little more than a scale, a few bowls, and a cast iron skillet—no baking steel or fancy outdoor oven required.

    Foolproof Pan Pizza

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  • Mozzarella-Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings

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    If you've ever struggled to choose between mozzarella sticks and onion rings, you know how difficult ordering bar food can be. But what if there was an appetizer that combined them both, so you'd never have to face such a cruel and impossible decision again? Try this mash-up app and enter a brave new world.

    Mozzarella-Stuffed Crispy Baked Onion Rings

  • Hasselbacked Melted-Mozzarella and Garlic-Butter Bagels

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    Cutting a bagel vertically, like a Hasselback potato, makes more of its dense and tender crumb available to soak up garlic butter and hold gobs of melted mozzarella cheese.

    Hasselbacked Melted-Mozzarella and Garlic-Butter Bagels

  • Grilled Mozzarella Sandwiches With Mortadella, Pesto, and Artichokes

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    These crisp grilled cheese sandwiches are filled with melted mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced marinated artichoke hearts, pesto, and mortadella. A little anchovy punches up the savory flavor of each bite.

    Grilled Mozzarella Sandwiches With Mortadella, Pesto, and Artichokes

  • Baked Saffron Risotto With Mozzarella and Crispy Topping

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    Risotto is not exactly a make-ahead food—no matter what tricks you use, it always requires last-minute finishing right before serving. But by using the tricks we developed for rice balls, it's possible to turn a classicallya-la-minutedish into a make-ahead baked casserole. Like baked mac and cheese, but with rice.!

    Baked Saffron Risotto With Mozzarella and Crispy Topping

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  • The Best Chicken Parmesan

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    Kenji's recipe for this Italian-American classic is made even better with a buttermilk brine for tender chicken, a flavorful breading, and slow-cooked red sauce. One of the highlights, of course, is a molten layer of mozzarella blanketing each tender, crispy cutlet. If you're craving smothered fried eggplant instead, check out our recipe for eggplant parm.

    The Best Chicken Parmesan

  • Ultra-Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna

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    Lasagna is another dish that we have covered extensively over the years at Serious Eats. This rich, hearty vegetarian lasagna recipe, stuffed with spinach and mushrooms, is particularly generous with the shredded whole milk mozzarella.

    Ultra-Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna

14 Mozzarella Recipes That'll Leave You Wanting More (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with a lot of mozzarella? ›

  1. Mozzarella Schnitzel. ...
  2. Heirloom Tomato & Cornbread Panzanella. ...
  3. Pizza Party Strata With Garlic Bread & Pepperoni. ...
  4. Tomato, Nectarine & Mozzarella Salad. ...
  5. Summer Farro Salad. ...
  6. Jim Lahey's No-Knead Pizza Dough + Margherita Pie. ...
  7. Easiest, Cheesiest Skillet Dip. ...
  8. Creamiest Baked Mac & Cheese.
May 9, 2023

What goes good with mozzarella cheese? ›

Fresh seasonal produce makes a great match for mozzarella. You can never go wrong with veggies like heirloom tomatoes, roasted sweet peppers, or even grilled zucchini. Just serve everything alongside a lightly toasted baguette and your choice of olive oil.

What is the difference between mozzarella and fresh mozzarella? ›

Whereas fresh mozzarella is packaged as balls in liquid for near-term consumption, traditional mozzarella (also known as aged, block or processed mozzarella) is packaged dry in blocks—or in cubes, chunks, sticks, slices or shreds that have been cut from blocks—for less immediate consumption.

What is the best way to eat a fresh mozzarella? ›

Fresh mozzarella is delicious just as it is, or with a bit of salt and pepper, basil or fresh marjoram or oregano, and topped off with a good extra virgin olive oil. Insalata caprese is one of the most beloved ways of eating fresh mozzarella in Italy: that is, served with sliced fresh tomatoes and fresh basil.

Can I freeze mozzarella? ›

It is possible to freeze mozzarella cheese; however, because it is a softer cheese you will have the most success when the mozzarella is shredded. Whereas a hard or semi-hard block of cheese will stay fresh in your freezer up to 6 months, fresh shredded cheeses such as mozzarella will last around 3-4 months.

What can I do with a ball of mozzarella? ›

Mozzarella recipes
  • Baked meatballs. A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. ...
  • Pizza with homemade sauce. ...
  • Mozzarella sticks with chilli tomato sauce. ...
  • App onlyCheesy confit garlic bread. ...
  • Baked tomato & mozzarella orzo. ...
  • Melting-middle aubergine parcels. ...
  • Mozzarella meatball subs. ...
  • Caprese salad (tomato and mozzarella salad)

What meat goes best with mozzarella? ›

Cheese: Mozzarella or something similarly mellow and creamy, like Stracciatella or Scamorza Bianca. Cured meats: choose your favorite and stick with it. Mine is classic salami, but prosciutto, pancetta, chorizo, etc. all work.

What do Italians do with mozzarella? ›

Mozzarella is used for most types of pizza and several pasta dishes or served with sliced tomatoes and basil in Caprese salad.

What sauce goes best with mozzarella? ›

Some popular dipping sauces for cheese sticks include:
  • Marinara sauce - a classic tomato-based sauce.
  • Ranch dressing - a tangy and creamy sauce.
  • Honey mustard - a sweet and tangy sauce.
  • BBQ sauce - a sweet and smoky sauce.
  • Hot sauce - a spicy sauce.
  • Salsa - a flavorful and spicy sauce.
Nov 4, 2016

What is aged mozzarella called? ›

I have made mozzarella for the better part of 15 years, but just a few years ago, I learned about scamorza, an aged mozzarella. (

What are the balls of fresh mozzarella called? ›

Bocconcini, also known as mozzarella balls or pearls as their shape resembles that of cherries and cherry tomatoes, are one of the most present products in the Puglia cuisine. Mozzarella balls and pearls are produced with cow milk and feature a typical white color and a delicate flavour.

What is the healthiest mozzarella cheese? ›

Part skim has less fat in it and is the healthier choice. Another Italian favorite, mozzarella, mixes well in almost any dish. Grate it or melt it. Part skim fresh mozzarellas contain less sodium than hard mozzarellas.

When should you throw out mozzarella? ›

The bottom line

After opening, you can safely store most soft cheeses in the fridge for at least 7 days and most hard cheeses for 3–4 weeks. Carefully inspect hard cheeses for mold and cut off any spots, but toss soft cheeses and crumbled, shredded, or sliced cheeses (whether hard or soft) if you see mold.

Can you eat straight mozzarella? ›

Yes it is. :) I usually eat it on a salad or by itself. Yes. I don't even think there is a cheese that must be cooked prior to eating.

How long does mozzarella last in the fridge? ›

With proper storage in a refrigerator, mozzarella cheese can last for up to one to two weeks. In a freezer, mozzarella cheese can last longer, up to approximately three months. If you find any change of shape, color, taste, and aroma of any part of the cheese, cut and throw away that part.

What happens when you freeze fresh mozzarella? ›

This high moisture content is what gives it a short shelf like compared to many other cheeses. A fresh cheese, like fresh mozzarella and ricotta cheese, should be eaten very soon after production and is best served at room temperature. Because it has a high water content, freezing fresh mozzarella can ruin its texture.

Can I freeze mozzarella in water? ›

Avoid freezing fresh mozzarella cheese as it looses its smooth texture and becomes a very dry and crumbly after defrosting. Fresh mozzarella has more water content, which causes crystals to develop in the freezer.

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