Patrick Oconnell
Pre-shredded cheddar cheese is a convenient option for busy cooks. However, it is coated with anti-caking agents like potato starch, which can affect its melting properties and flavour. For this reason, pre-shredded cheese is not ideal for recipes that require the cheese to melt smoothly, like mac and cheese. Instead, it is better suited for dishes where distinct pieces of cheese are desired, such as spinach pesto. Pre-shredded cheddar cheese can also be used in quesadillas, nachos, grilled cheese sandwiches, omelettes, and pasta dishes like broccoli cheddar pasta. Additionally, pre-shredded cheese can be frozen for later use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use in | Mac and cheese, grilled cheese, cheesy eggs, lasagna, chicken parm, casseroles, scalloped potatoes, enchiladas, fondue, pizza, quesadillas, broccoli cheddar pasta, omelets, quiche, sandwiches, dips, pasta salad, nachos |
| Taste | Pre-shredded cheese doesn't taste as good as freshly grated cheese |
| Texture | Pre-shredded cheese doesn't melt as well as freshly grated cheese |
| Quality | Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents like potato starch and powdered cellulose, which affects the texture and taste |
| Time | Pre-shredded cheese saves time and is more convenient than freshly grated cheese |
| Cost | Pre-shredded cheese is a more cost-effective option than freshly grated cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Mac and cheese
Ingredients
- Pre-shredded cheddar cheese
- Butter (salted or unsalted)
- Milk
- Flour
- Macaroni or any other bite-sized pasta
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Dry mustard
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a square baking dish.
- Slightly undercook your macaroni noodles (about 1 minute under al-dente). Drain and set aside.
- Make a roux by melting butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour to the melted butter and stir to combine.
- Add milk to the roux gradually, stirring constantly to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. This gradual change in temperature is important for the cheese to melt properly and smoothly.
- Add the pre-shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce and stir until melted. Pre-shredded cheese may have a coating of starch or cellulose to prevent clumping, so you may need to adjust the consistency of your sauce with a bit of extra milk, cream, or water.
- Add the cooked macaroni noodles to the sauce and toss to coat them evenly.
- Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle a layer of cheese over the pasta.
- Add the remaining pasta on top and sprinkle with more cheese.
- Bake the mac and cheese until it is hot and bubbly. This extra step adds a level of sophistication and gooeyness that you don't get without baking.
Tips
- For a crumb topping, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top before baking.
- If you prefer a stronger taste and smoother texture, opt for high-quality aged cheddar cheese. Mild and inexpensive cheddar cheeses will result in a less flavorful and slightly grittier dish.
- If you want to avoid the extra step of shredding the cheese, you can use a blend of shredded Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar for a combination of sharpness and meltiness.
- To make the dish even creamier, add some Gruyère cheese to complement the cheddar.
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Broccoli cheddar soup
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Onion
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Flour
- Milk
- Broth
- Broccoli
- Carrot
- Celery (optional)
- Cheddar Cheese
- Dijon Mustard (optional)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, salt, and pepper, and cook for about 5 minutes or until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes or until the flour turns golden.
- Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
- Add the broth, broccoli, carrot, and celery (if using), and stir to combine. Simmer until all the vegetables are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat. This is important to ensure that the soup does not separate when the cheese is added.
- Now, add the shredded cheddar cheese in small handfuls, stirring continuously to help it melt smoothly and prevent the soup from becoming gritty.
- Continue adding cheese until you've added about 3 cups or to your desired cheesiness.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- For an extra kick of flavor, add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard after melting the cheese.
- Serve the soup with crusty bread or homemade croutons on the side.
Note: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, it may not melt as smoothly as freshly grated cheese due to the anti-caking agents used in pre-shredded varieties. For the best results, grate your own cheese from a block of cheddar, and remember to add it slowly to the soup to ensure a creamy texture.
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Cheeseburger quiche
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Meat seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Herbes de Provence
- Salt and black pepper
- Eggs
- Milk
- Mayonnaise
- Flour
- Cheddar cheese
- Pie shell
Method:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and add chopped onions. Cook and stir until the onions are tender and browned, which should take around 15 to 20 minutes. Next, add the ground beef and season it with meat seasoning, garlic powder, herbes de Provence, salt, and black pepper. Cook and stir the beef until it is browned and crumbly, which should take about 5 minutes. Drain the excess fat from the skillet.
Beat the eggs together in a bowl and whisk in the milk, mayonnaise, and flour. Season this mixture with salt. Stir in the cooked beef and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Pour this mixture into a pie shell and bake for 35-45 minutes or until the centre is set. Once baked, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese on top. Allow the quiche to set before cutting and serving.
Variations:
You can add a few extra fillings to give the quiche more texture. Some options include olives, green and red bell peppers, peas, carrots, and hash browns. You can also use hot breakfast sausage instead of ground beef and adjust the seasonings accordingly. Additionally, if you like your quiche with a crust, you can use crescent rolls for the base and add some Swiss cheese along with the shredded cheddar on top.
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Nachos and quesadillas
Nachos
Pre-shredded cheddar cheese can be used to make a delicious nacho cheese sauce. However, it is important to note that pre-shredded cheese often contains additives to prevent clumping, which can affect the texture of the sauce, making it grainy. To avoid this, you can use an emulsifier like sodium citrate. Here's a simple recipe for nacho cheese sauce using pre-shredded cheddar cheese:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk (heated to scalding)
- 1 teaspoon sodium citrate
- 1.5 cups pre-shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Heat the milk in a saucepan until it reaches a scalding temperature.
- Add the sodium citrate and stir until dissolved.
- Gradually add the pre-shredded cheddar cheese to the milk mixture, whisking continuously, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season with salt and chili powder to taste.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips or your favourite nacho toppings.
Quesadillas
Pre-shredded cheddar cheese can also be used as a filling for quesadillas. Quesadillas are typically made by filling a tortilla with cheese and other ingredients, folding it in half, and cooking it until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is toasted. Here's a simple recipe for a quesadilla using pre-shredded cheddar cheese:
Ingredients:
- 2 flour tortillas
- Pre-shredded cheddar cheese (as much as desired)
- Butter or olive oil
- Optional: Diced cooked chicken, vegetables, beans, etc.
Instructions:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add butter or olive oil to the skillet.
- Place one tortilla in the skillet.
- Sprinkle pre-shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Add any additional ingredients of your choice, such as diced cooked chicken, vegetables, or beans. Be careful not to overload the quesadilla.
- Place the second tortilla on top of the filling.
- Cook the quesadilla for 2-3 minutes, or until the bottom tortilla is golden brown.
- Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove the quesadilla from the pan and cut it into wedges.
- Serve with guacamole, salsa, or your favourite dipping sauce.
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Crispy sandwiches
Pre-shredded cheddar cheese is a convenient option for making crispy sandwiches. While some people prefer freshly shredded cheese due to the anti-clumping agents used in pre-shredded varieties, pre-shredded cheese can still be a tasty option and may even be preferred by some. Here are some tips and recipes for creating crispy sandwiches using pre-shredded cheddar cheese:
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This classic sandwich is a perfect comfort food and can be made with pre-shredded cheddar cheese. To make it, you'll need good-quality bread, butter, and your pre-shredded cheddar cheese. You can also add other types of shredded cheese, such as mozzarella, to create a combination of flavours. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Spread butter on both slices of bread.
- Add your shredded cheese to one slice of bread.
- Close the sandwich.
- Preheat a pan on medium heat and add a bit of butter.
- Place the sandwich in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden and the cheese is melted.
- Enjoy your crispy grilled cheese sandwich!
Crispy Cheese Crust
For an extra crispy treat, you can create a cheesy crust on your grilled cheese sandwich using pre-shredded cheddar cheese:
- Make your grilled cheese sandwich as usual.
- When it's done, lift the sandwich out of the pan and sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on the pan.
- Place the grilled cheese sandwich back on the melted cheese.
- Leave it for a few moments to create a delicious crispy cheese crust.
- Flip the sandwich and repeat on the other side if desired.
Other Sandwich Ideas
Pre-shredded cheddar cheese can also be used in various other sandwiches:
- Broccoli cheddar pasta sandwich: Combine melted cheese with tender bits of cooked broccoli for a creamy, savoury treat.
- Cheesy chicken sandwich: Add cheese to a chicken sandwich for a gooey, rich flavour.
- Bacon breakfast sandwich: This sandwich features bacon, egg, and shredded cheese for a hearty breakfast option.
- Shaved turkey sub: Load your sub with shredded cheese, pickles, and zingy Italian dressing for a flavourful combination.
Storage and Freezing
If you have a large amount of pre-shredded cheddar cheese, you can freeze it to extend its shelf life. This will give you more time to experiment with different crispy sandwich recipes and explore the versatile world of shredded cheese cuisine!
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Frequently asked questions
Some quick meal options that use pre-shredded cheddar cheese include quesadillas, nachos, grilled cheese sandwiches, and mac and cheese.
You can sprinkle pre-shredded cheddar cheese over omelettes, scrambled eggs, or breakfast sandwiches.
You can make a simple quesadilla by melting shredded cheddar cheese between two tortillas in a saucepan. You can also add shredded cheddar cheese to a pasta salad or a sandwich.
Pre-shredded cheddar cheese is convenient and can save time in the kitchen. It can be a good option for dishes where you want distinct bits of cheese, such as spinach pesto or muffin batters.
Pre-shredded cheddar cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents, such as potato starch, which can affect its melting properties and the final texture of the dish. It may not melt as smoothly as freshly grated cheese, especially in sauces and soups.
