Mozzarella Cheese Recipes

Whether adorning Caprese salads or pizza, mozzarella is a perennial favourite in Italian recipes. Mozzarella originates from the Campania region in Italy and dates back to the 12th century when the monks of San Lorenzo produced cheese from buffalo milk.

Over the centuries, production methods have evolved, but the original Italian Mozzarella di bufala is still the best. Buffalo mozzarella is produced from buffalo’s milk and has a stringy texture and unique flavour.

The string cheese was traditionally made through acid curdling processes by adding lemon juice or vinegar to the milk. The curdled milk is heated and stretched to get the stringy texture that can be moulded into ball shapes.

Aside from buffalo mozzarella, other types of mozzarella include:

Fresh mozzarella: If you want creamy and milky cheese for your dishes, fresh mozzarella is your go-to cheese. It is mild-flavoured, making it versatile. Fresh mozzarella should be used within a few days and is often sold in mozzarella balls. Bocconcini cheese is usually available in slightly smaller balls, while Ciliegine mozzarella is the size of a cherry.

Mass-produced mozzarella: Mass-produced mozzarella is mostly firmer and more rubbery than fresh mozzarella. While the flavour is mild, it is a little bit salty. Since mozzarella melts well, it is often used in lasagna or pizza recipes.

Burrata cheese: While burrata looks like a regular ball of mozzarella, it has a soft filling of curds and cream. The creamy centre makes it richer and creamier. You can mix shreds of mozzarella curds with a thick cream to get a creamier version of mozzarella. Burrata cheese is a good spread for bread.

Scamorza cheese: While scamorza is made the same way as mozzarella cheese, it is drier and firmer. It melts well and is less watery compared to fresh mozzarella.

Croquettes: Croquettes are the best comfort foods for dinner nights. Upgrade your mozzarella sticks by mixing mozzarella with mashed potatoes and bread crumbs. The sticks are fried until they are crispy.

Caprese stuffed Portobello mushroom: If you want a vegetarian main dish for dinner, try Caprese stuffed Portobello mushroom. The recipe takes the main ingredients of Caprese salad, including fresh mozzarella, basil and tomatoes, piled high onto Portobello mushroom caps.

Mozzarella frittata: Looking for a quick dinner? Prepare a mozzarella, basil, and zucchini frittata for a vegetable-studded dinner. You can add cubes of mozzarella and stuff vegetables into the frittata before placing it in an oven. Serve the frittata with a tossed salad or a slice of crusty baguette.

Pizza sliders: If you are putting together a meal plan, you should add pizza sliders to your dinner menu. Pizza sliders are like mini burgers, making for a fun, kid-friendly meal. The Italian herbs, melty mozzarella and rich marinara sauce will give the mini burgers the appeal of pizza and are delicious.