Andy Montoya
There's nothing quite like a slice of gooey, cheesy pizza. Whether you're ordering in or making your own, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your pizza has that perfect, gooey cheese pull. When ordering, opt for pizzerias that use a blend of mozzarella and provolone for that ideal stretch and flavour. If you're feeling adventurous and making your own pizza at home, the type of cheese you use is key. Low-moisture mozzarella gives a stretchy, gooey texture, while fresh mozzarella adds those pristine white pools of melted cheese. Don't be afraid to experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, provolone, goat cheese, or burrata, and remember to preheat your oven and baking equipment for the best results. So, whether it's delivery or DIY, with these tips, you'll be well on your way to enjoying that cheesy, gooey pizza experience we all crave.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Mozzarella, Provolone, Cheddar, Goat Cheese, Burrata Cheese, Low-Moisture Mozzarella |
| Other Ingredients | Tomato Sauce, Olive Oil, Grated Garlic, Balsamic Vinegar, Meat |
| Baking Instructions | Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown |
| Baking Tools | Pizza stone, baking steel, or a sturdy, upside-down baking sheet |
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What You'll Learn
Getting the right cheese
When it comes to getting that perfect, gooey cheese on your ouzza, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, younger, fresher cheeses tend to melt better and give you that desired gooey texture. The softer the cheese, the gooier it will be.
Mozzarella is a classic pizza cheese and for good reason—it is extremely tame in flavor and provides a quick, clean, creamy hit. Fresh mozzarella will give you pristine white pools of gooey cheese, whereas low-moisture mozzarella will provide a chewier texture and brown nicely in the oven.
If you're looking for something with a bit more sharpness, shredded cheddar is a great option. Younger cheddars will melt better than aged cheddars, which have less moisture. For a nuttier flavor, you could try Swiss cheese, or Danish Havarti, which has a mild aroma and flavor with hints of butter and sweetness.
For a more pungent option, you could go for a washed-rind cheese like Taleggio, which has a salty, nutty, and doughy flavor. If you're feeling adventurous, try blending different cheeses together to create a more complex flavor profile, such as blending Taleggio with other cheeses in a tomato pie.
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Preparing the dough
Once the dough has come together, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead it for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process helps to develop the gluten in the dough, which gives it structure and makes it easier to stretch. After kneading, place the dough in a well-oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let the dough rest in a warm place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
When the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air, and divide it into two or more portions, depending on the desired size of your pizzas. Use a rolling pin to roll each portion into a circle, aiming for a thickness of about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm). If you prefer a thicker crust, you can make it slightly thicker, but remember that a thicker crust will require a slightly longer baking time.
Finally, place your dough rounds on a preheated pizza stone, baking steel, or a sturdy, upside-down baking sheet. Top with your favorite sauce, cheeses, and other toppings, and bake in the oven at a high temperature until the crust is browned and the cheese is melted and gooey. For an extra gooey and stretchy cheese experience, be sure to use mozzarella as your primary cheese, with provolone as a great additional option.
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Oven setup
To achieve the perfect oven setup for a pizza with gooey cheese, follow these steps:
Firstly, ensure your oven is hot enough. The ideal temperature for a classic pizza is around 600 degrees, but most home ovens only go up to 500 degrees. If your oven has a similar maximum temperature, you may need to bake your pizza for longer to ensure the cheese is gooey and not burnt.
Before baking your pizza, preheat your oven for about an hour. Place a pizza stone, baking steel, or a sturdy, upside-down baking sheet on the upper third rack. Using a pizza stone or baking steel is recommended if you regularly make pizza at home. These materials will help to more evenly distribute the heat and ensure a crispier crust.
When assembling your pizza, use a combination of grated parmesan and shredded and cubed mozzarella cheeses. The parmesan will act as a barrier, protecting the crust from the sauce, while the low-moisture shredded mozzarella will provide a stretchy layer that browns nicely. The fresh mozzarella cubes will create those desirable melted, gooey cheese pools.
Once your pizza is assembled, transfer it to the preheated baking stone, steel, or baking sheet. Bake until the crust is browned and the cheese is bubbling. This usually takes around 12 to 14 minutes, but the time may vary depending on your oven's temperature and your preferred level of doneness.
Finally, transfer the pizza from the oven to a cooling rack. Brush the crust with olive oil and sprinkle basil leaves on top. Your gooey cheese pizza is now ready to be served!
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Baking the pizza
To bake the pizza, first, preheat your oven to 475F. Place an oven rack in the lower third of the oven. On a lightly floured surface, stretch the dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a non-stick baking sheet.
Spread the pizza sauce onto the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle the sauce with your chosen cheese. For a gooey cheese pizza, use a combination of grated parmesan, shredded low-moisture mozzarella, and cubed fresh mozzarella. The low-moisture mozzarella will give the pizza a stretchy layer of cheese, while the fresh mozzarella will create pools of melted, gooey cheese.
Bake the pizza for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown. If you want a gooier pizza, you can bake it for slightly less time, so the cheese is not as browned.
Once the pizza is baked, let it cool for a few minutes before cutting. This will give the cheese time to firm up and prevent it from melting back into the cuts and sticking the slices together. Before serving, brush the crust with olive oil and sprinkle with basil leaves.
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Slicing and serving
To get that perfect, gooey cheese pizza delivered to your door, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the cheese itself: a blend of mozzarella and provolone will give you that perfect, stretchy texture. Mozzarella is the classic pizza cheese, and it's America's favourite for a reason—its gooey, stringy texture is unmatched. However, a blend of the two will give you both stretch and flavour.
If you're making your own pizza, you'll want to bake it for around 12-14 minutes, and then let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. This will give the cheese a chance to set slightly, so you get those perfect, gooey strands when you bite into it. If you're ordering delivery, you'll want to eat it as soon as it arrives to experience the cheese at its gooiest.
When slicing your pizza, a pizza cutter will give you the cleanest cut, but kitchen scissors or a sharp knife will also work. For a classic circular pizza, start by slicing it like a cake—into triangular slices. You can also cut it into squares if you prefer, especially if you've made a thicker, pan-style pizza.
Finally, the way you serve the pizza will also impact the gooeyness of the cheese. If you're serving it straight from the oven, the cheese will be at its gooiest, but it will start to set as it cools. If you're serving it at a party or gathering, keep it warm by placing it on a baking sheet in a low oven, or under a warming light if you have one. This will keep the cheese melted and gooey.
Now you're ready to enjoy your perfect, gooey cheese pizza! Whether you've made it yourself or had it delivered, the key to enjoying it is to eat it while the cheese is still warm and gooey, so dig in!
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Frequently asked questions
Many pizza chains offer delivery services, and gooey cheese on a pizza is usually achieved with mozzarella. You could try ordering from a pizzeria that uses a blend of mozzarella and provolone for that perfect gooey texture.
Other cheeses that can give you that gooey, stretchy texture include cheddar, provolone, goat cheese, and burrata cheese.
You can always ask the restaurant about the types of cheese they use, or you can try making your own pizza at home. That way, you can use as much gooey cheese as you like!
To make a pizza with gooey cheese at home, you'll need to prepare the dough, tomato sauce, and cheese. For the dough, you can knead and shape it yourself or buy pre-made dough. The tomato sauce can be made by mixing crushed tomatoes, olive oil, grated garlic, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings. As for the cheese, mozzarella is the classic choice for that gooey texture, but you can also use a combination of low-moisture and fresh mozzarella for a textural contrast. Preheat your oven with a pizza stone or a baking sheet, assemble your pizza, and bake it for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and starting to brown.
