Mozzarella pizza is my son’s all-time favorite food. For his birthday party, I baked a lot of pizza for his guests. However, I bought too much mozzarella so I have lots of cheese leftovers. As of now, I don’t want to bake mozzarella pizza again because we already ate a lot of it. I don’t want to just throw it away because that would be a waste of money. Can I freeze this type of cheese for about a week or two?
No doubt, mozzarella cheese is a favorite when it comes to pizza topping. Given that you just had a cheesy birthday party, you would want to hold the cheesiness until your taste buds can take it again.
The answer is yes! Mozzarella cheese can be frozen. They can even last for up to six months. However, this only applies to the shredded ones as fresh mozzarella cheese is not suitable for freezing. Also, freezing may lose its original moisture and develop a brittle texture. The longer the freezing period, the poorer the quality of the thawed cheese.
Can You Freeze Mozzarella Cheese?
Some cheeses can be frozen easily and mozzarella is one of them. Only shredded mozzarella cheese is capable of freezing.
Shredded mozzarella is typically used in dishes like pizza. This type of cheese is low in moisture content so it can be placed in a freezer without greatly affecting its texture when thawed.
On the other hand, fresh mozzarella is best consumed as early as possible. Fresh mozzarella is a soft cheese, and soft cheeses do not freeze well as they have high moisture content. When put in a very low temperature, the water content of the cheese will form into ice crystals. When the frozen cheese is thawed, the texture of the result would be watery and grainy.
Freezing mozzarella can extend its shelf life for three to six months, depending on its quality. The longer mozzarella is frozen, the poorer the quality of the thawed cheese.
It is usually placed in a sealed freezer bag in grated form. Air is removed from the inside of the freezer bag to prolong shelf life. Doing this limits the growth of microorganisms that can cause the spoilage of cheese.
Thawing mozzarella should take place in the refrigerator until soft because doing it on the counter may result to the growth of pathogens on the cheese. The thawed cheese should be consumed in 2 to 3 days. Refreezing melted cheese should be avoided because it may result to its spoilage.
How to Freeze Mozzarella Cheese?
Mozzarella cheese is possible to freeze but its quality will decrease. You must be aware that this will usually result to a dried-out cheese.
- Grate the mozzarella cheese and put it in a plastic wrap. Two layers of plastic wrap is enough to keep the cheese from burning in the freezer.
- Place the wrapped grated cheese in a freezer bag. Freezing a huge chunk of cheese will make it lose its moisture more.
- Remove the excess air and seal. Presence of oxygen may result to the growth of bad bacteria in your cheese.
- Label the cheese and write the date. This will help you keep track on how long the cheese has been stored in the freezer. The cheese may last for three to six months, depending on its quality.
- To thaw, let it sit in the refrigerator. Letting it thaw on the counter may spoil the cheese. Never refreeze the thawed cheese.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Mozzarella Cheese?
Mozzarella cheese is a delicious and versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. But what do you do when you have extra mozzarella cheese? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover mozzarella cheese:
1. Make a grilled cheese sandwich – A classic grilled cheese sandwich is always a good idea. Just add some mozzarella cheese to your favorite bread, and you’re good to go.
2. Make some homemade pizza – Homemade pizza is always a hit. Just add some mozzarella cheese to your favorite pizza dough, and you’re good to go.
3. Make some cheesy bread – Cheesy bread is a great way to use up leftover mozzarella cheese. Just add some cheese to your favorite bread dough, and you’re good to go.
4. Make a quesadilla – A quesadilla is a great way to use up leftover mozzarella cheese. Just add some cheese to a tortilla, and you’re good to go.
5. Make some mac and cheese – Mac and cheese is always a hit. Just add some mozzarella cheese to your favorite macaroni, and you’re good to go.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover mozzarella cheese. Next time you find yourself with extra cheese, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Mozzarella cheese recipes
Mozzarella pizza is a cheesy dish topped with bell peppers, tomatoes, and olives. Paired with tomato sauce, this is best for non-meat pizza lovers.
Mozzarella cheese sticks is an easy-to-make appetizer. The cheese is wrapped in garlic bread crumbs, which results into crunchy and oozy cheese bites.
Mozzarella cheese omelette is a perfect dish during breakfast. Not only easy to make, this dish contains delicious grates of cheese which will melt in your mouth.
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze mozzarella cheese. However, I would advise against it because it will change texture and taste and may develop a rubbery consistency. When you thaw the cheese, it will turn out stretchy and may also have a milky taste. I would recommend using it for pizza, pasta dishes, or any other Italian specialty.
Let me know in the comment section below if you have frozen mozzarella cheese before and how it turned out.
