Baking Cheese: Timing For The Perfect Melt

Baked cheese is a delicious snack, side, or appetizer and can be made in a variety of ways. Depending on the type of cheese and the desired outcome, bake time can vary from 5 minutes to 40 minutes. For example, baked mozzarella in a cast-iron skillet only needs 5 minutes under the broiler to get browned and bubbly, while a more complex dish like macaroni and cheese may need to bake for 30-40 minutes. When making cheese crisps, it's important to keep a close eye on them as they can go from not-quite-done to burnt in seconds. Additionally, the type of oven and thickness of the cheese can impact the baking time.

How long should I bake cheese?

Baked cheese crisps

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese, or Parmesan, Asiago, or aged mozzarella.
• Optional: dried herbs and spices such as garlic powder, basil, rosemary, cumin, or chili powder.

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 350-400°F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Do not use foil or cooking spray.
• If mixing in herbs and spices, grate the cheese and toss the mixture in a bowl.
• Place small heaps of cheese (about 1 tablespoon each) on the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each heap.
• Bake for 5-10 minutes, keeping a close eye on the cheese heaps. You want the cheese to melt and stop bubbling. Do not let it brown as it will become bitter.
• Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
• Enjoy your baked cheese crisps!

Baked macaroni and cheese

Ingredients

• Pasta (macaroni, penne, ziti, fusilli, rotini, rigatoni, shells, or cavatappi)
• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Cheese (Gruyere, cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, Colby, Monterey Jack, Swiss, Pepper Jack, Parmesan, or a combination)
• Egg (optional)
• Spices (black pepper, onion powder, mustard powder, paprika, garlic powder)
• Breadcrumbs (optional)
• Ritz crackers (optional)
• Hot dogs, chicken, bacon, bell peppers, onions, broccoli, or carrots (optional)

Method

• Preheat the oven to 325-350°F.
• Boil the pasta for 1 minute less than instructed on the package. Drain and set aside.
• Make a roux by melting butter in a saucepan and whisking in flour. Cook for about 1 minute.
• Slowly whisk in milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue whisking for another 5-8 minutes until the mixture thickens.
• Add in spices and hot sauce (optional).
• Gradually add in shredded cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce.
• Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
• Top with additional shredded cheese and breadcrumbs (optional).
• Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
• Broil for 2-5 minutes, if desired, to get a crispy top.

Tips

• Shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese for a smoother sauce.
• Do not overcook the pasta as it will continue to cook in the oven.
• Toss the cooked pasta in butter before adding the cheese sauce to prevent the pasta from absorbing too much liquid and becoming bloated.
• Add meat or vegetables for a heartier dish.

Baked brie

Ingredients and Preparation:

Start with an 8-ounce wheel of brie cheese, keeping it chilled in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This parchment paper is essential, as it will make transferring the delicate baked brie from the baking sheet to a serving platter much easier.

Baking Instructions:

Place the cold brie on the prepared baking sheet and pop it into the preheated oven. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or up to 15 minutes, until the cheese is soft and gooey in the middle. Keep an eye on it, as you want the cheese to be melty but not completely melted.

Serving Suggestions:

Once baked, use the parchment paper to carefully transfer the brie to a serving dish. This is when the fun begins—it's time to add your desired toppings! Here are some mouth-watering combinations to try:

• Honey, toasted pecans, and fresh thyme.
• Cherry or fig jam, walnuts, and rosemary.
• Honey, pistachios, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
• Maple syrup, cranberry sauce, and rosemary.
• Caramelized onions, baked apples, or mushrooms.

For an extra special touch, serve your baked brie with crostini, crackers, apple slices, grapes, or breadsticks on the side for dipping and scooping up all that cheesy goodness.

Tips and Tricks:

• If you prefer, you can skip the parchment paper and use a small baking dish that can go directly from the oven to the table. Just be sure to let your guests know the dish will still be hot!
• For an extra-special presentation, try wrapping your brie in puff pastry before baking. This adds a crispy, flaky texture to the creamy cheese.
• Baked brie is best served warm and gooey, so enjoy it straight from the oven. It will start to cool and firm up after about 10 to 15 minutes.
• If you have any leftovers, they can be easily reheated in the oven or microwave for a few seconds.

So, there you have it! Baked brie is a quick, easy, and impressive dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its rich, gooey cheese and endless topping options, it is sure to become a favourite at your next gathering. Enjoy!

Baked mozzarella in garlic and olive oil

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces
• Salt to taste

Method

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a 6" or 8" cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat.
• Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the torn mozzarella pieces to the skillet and drizzle with a little more olive oil.
• Place the skillet in the oven and broil until the cheese is browned and bubbly, about 5 minutes.

Tips

• For a more intense garlic flavour, add more garlic cloves.
• If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, you can use a regular oven-proof dish.
• You can also add some crushed red pepper or chilli flakes for an extra kick.
• This dish is best served immediately while the cheese is still hot and bubbly.

Variations

You can also try baking mozzarella with other ingredients such as:

• Tomato sauce: Pour crushed tomatoes into a skillet and season with lemon zest, salt, and crushed red pepper. Top with mozzarella and broil.
• Cherry jam: Spread cherry jam (or another flavour such as strawberry or apricot) on the bottom of a skillet, top with mozzarella, and broil.

Storage

If you have any leftovers, let them cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should last for a few days, but are best enjoyed fresh.

Similar dishes

Baked mozzarella is similar to baked brie, which is another delicious option for a warm, gooey cheese dish. Simply remove the wrapping from a small wheel of brie, place it back in the box, and bake for around 15 minutes at 200 degrees C. Serve with herbs, bread, or crackers.

Baked mozzarella and cherry jam

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cherry jam
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces
• Bread, for serving

Method

• Preheat the oven to a broil setting.
• Spread the cherry jam over the bottom of a 6" or 8" cast-iron skillet.
• Layer the torn mozzarella on top.
• Place the skillet under the broiler for around 5 minutes, until the cheese is browned and bubbly.
• Serve immediately with bread.

Tips

• The smaller you tear the mozzarella, the easier it will be to spread on bread.
• You can also use strawberry or apricot jam for this recipe.
• If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, you can assemble the ingredients on a slice of bread and broil it that way, or use a panini press or electric grill.

Variations

Baked Mozzarella in Tomato Sauce

• Pour 1 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes into a 6" or 8" cast-iron skillet.
• Scatter with the grated zest of 1 lemon and a generous pinch of crushed red pepper.
• Season with salt.
• Top with 8 oz torn fresh mozzarella.
• Broil until brown and bubbly, about 5 minutes.

Baked Mozzarella in Garlic and Olive Oil

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 6" or 8" cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat.
• Sauté 2 thinly sliced cloves of garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add 8 oz torn fresh mozzarella and drizzle with more olive oil.
• Broil until brown and bubbly, about 5 minutes.

Making Cherry Jam from Scratch

If you want to make your own cherry jam, you will need:

• Cherries, pitted and roughly chopped
• Sugar
• A pinch of kosher salt
• Amaretto liqueur (optional)
• A medium saucepan

Combine the cherries, sugar, salt, and 1 tablespoon of cold water in the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cherries begin to break down (12-15 minutes). If using, add the amaretto and continue to cook until the mixture has thickened (2-5 minutes). When the jam reaches between 215° and 220°, remove it from the heat and transfer it to a clean glass jar. Let it cool completely before covering and refrigerating.

Baking Cheese in General

When baking cheese, it's important to keep a close eye on it as it can go from perfectly melted to burnt very quickly. The oven temperature and the thickness of the cheese will affect the baking time, so it's a good idea to keep checking on it regularly. In general, baking cheese at 350°F for around 12-15 minutes should get you a nice, golden brown result.

Frequently asked questions