Andy Montoya
String cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes beyond just a snack. Typically made from mozzarella, it is a good source of protein and can add a cheesy kick to many recipes. From gooey stuffed jalapeños to crispy baked cheese bites, pizza toppings, and even desserts, string cheese can be a handy shortcut to creating delicious culinary creations. It is especially useful for stuffed pasta, such as ravioli and manicotti, and can be used to make mozzarella sticks with a crispy breadcrumb coating. String cheese can also be wrapped in prosciutto or deli meats with herbs and vegetables for a simple, tasty appetizer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| As a snack | On its own, or with a tortilla wrap, deli meat, or prosciutto |
| As an ingredient | In manicotti, pizza, pizza rolls, meatballs, ravioli, or jalapenos |
| As an appetizer | Mozzarella sticks, coated in breadcrumbs and fried, or baked |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella sticks
Ingredients
- String cheese
- Flour
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs or panko crumbs
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Seasonings (optional)
Method
Start by preparing three bowls for dredging: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. You can season the breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, or any other spice mixes of your choice.
Dip the string cheese into the flour, then the eggs, and then the breadcrumbs. For an extra crispy coating, repeat the process for a double coating. Place the coated cheese sticks on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a cast-iron pan to 350°F. Carefully place a few frozen cheese sticks into the hot oil and fry for 30-60 seconds on each side or until golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.
Serve the mozzarella sticks warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara sauce or ranch dressing. Enjoy the cheesy goodness!
Tips
- If you prefer not to fry, you can bake the mozzarella sticks in the oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown. However, frying gives the best crispy texture.
- If you don't have string cheese, you can use a block of mozzarella and cut it into sticks before coating and frying.
- For a mess-free experience, let the cheese rest for 15-20 minutes before frying to remove excess moisture, and use paper towels to squeeze the cheese gently.
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Pizza toppings
String cheese can be used as a pizza topping, and many people consider it a great substitute for regular pizza cheese. It is a good alternative to mozzarella, with a salty, rich, and cheesy taste. It adds a nice depth of flavour to your pizza.
To use string cheese as a pizza topping, you can cut it into small blocks or strips, as it may not melt as well as shredded mozzarella. You can also add it to the crust to make a stuffed-crust pizza. Roll your pizza base out thin, then place the whole cheese strings around the edge of the base, leaving a 3/4-inch space. Fold the edges of the dough over the string cheese, and seal it by pinching the edges down very firmly. You can also add other toppings to the crust, such as spinach.
If you are using string cheese as a topping, be sure to cook the pizza long enough to melt the cheese. The melting point of string cheese is 140° F, so you should be fine melting it on pizza as ovens are usually set to a higher temperature. However, string cheese may not melt as well as other cheeses, so you might need to tear it into smaller strips before adding it to your pizza.
- Roll out the dough and separate it into rectangles with two triangles each.
- Pinch the seams together.
- Line each rectangle with pepperoni and top with a string cheese.
- Fold the dough over the toppings and fold up the sides to seal.
- Place the sticks on a lined baking sheet.
- Combine butter, garlic, parsley, and parmesan cheese, and brush over the tops of each stick.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping.
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Manicotti
Ingredients
- Manicotti pasta shells
- String cheese
- Tomato-based pasta sauce (either homemade or store-bought)
- Basil (optional)
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Meat (optional)
Method
To make manicotti with string cheese, start by preheating your oven to 350-375°F. Then, if you want to include meat in your manicotti, cook this first. You can use ground beef, turkey, or Italian sausage, frying it in a pan with onion and garlic until browned. Drain the meat and stir in your chosen pasta sauce—you can use a simple tomato sauce or a more complex meat sauce.
Next, take your manicotti pasta shells and stuff each one with a piece of string cheese. You can add two pieces if your shells are large, but one should be enough to create a gooey centre once the cheese has melted. Place the stuffed shells in a greased baking dish and cover with the remaining sauce. You can also add broth to the dish to help cook the pasta as it bakes.
Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the sauce and cover the dish with foil. Bake for around 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for a further 5-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling. You can sprinkle basil over the manicotti before serving, and serve with garlic bread and a salad.
Tips
- You can prepare this dish ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer before baking.
- If you want to reduce the amount of saturated fat in your manicotti, use ground turkey instead of beef and add a little olive oil to the pan to stop the meat from drying out.
- If you want to make your manicotti saucier, use 24 ounces of marinara sauce.
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Meatball filler
String cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including as a filler for meatballs. Creating cheese-stuffed meatballs is a fun and delicious way to elevate a classic dish. Here is a step-by-step guide to making string cheese-filled meatballs:
Preparing the Meat Mixture
Start by choosing your desired type of ground meat. Common options include beef, pork, chicken, lamb, or a combination. For extra flavour, you can mix in other ingredients such as eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, grated Parmesan cheese, and seasonings like Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix the ingredients well, but be careful not to overmix, as it can toughen the meatballs.
Cutting the String Cheese
Take the string cheese and cut it into small cubes or pieces. The size of the pieces can vary, but aim for something that will fit nicely inside the meatballs. You can use mozzarella string cheese, which is a popular choice, or experiment with other soft cheeses that melt well.
Forming the Meatballs
Take a small portion of the meat mixture and flatten it into a circle. Place a piece of the cut-up string cheese in the centre of the meat. Carefully form the meat around the cheese, sealing it tightly to create a ball shape. Repeat this process until you have used up all the meat mixture. You can make the meatballs any size you prefer, but a small, bite-sized option works well as an appetizer.
Cooking the Meatballs
There are several ways to cook the cheese-filled meatballs. You can bake them in the oven, fry them in a skillet, or grill them. If baking, place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Spray the meatballs with olive oil and bake at 400°F for around 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through. For skillet cooking, heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides. You can also grill the meatballs over indirect heat, adding wood chips for extra flavour.
Serving Suggestions
Cheese-stuffed meatballs make a great appetizer or main course. For a complete dish, serve them with a dipping sauce like marinara or low-carb ketchup. They also go well with garlic bread dippers for soaking up all that delicious sauce. If serving as a main, plan for 4 meatballs per person, and 2 per person as an appetizer. Enjoy the cheesy goodness!
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Wrap fillings
String cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including wraps and roll-ups. Here are some ideas for using string cheese as a wrap filling:
Flour Tortilla Wraps
A simple and kid-friendly option is to use string cheese as a filling for flour tortilla wraps. Place the string cheese on a flour tortilla, add some taco sauce, and wrap it up. You can also add deli meat, such as chicken ham or salami, and fresh herbs and vegetables for extra flavour and nutrition. Cut the wrapped string cheese into pieces, and serve.
Air Fryer Cheesy Wraps
For a crispy and chewy option, wrap each string cheese stick in a mini tortilla. Tuck in the sides first to prevent the wrap from falling apart. Brush the wrap with oil and sprinkle herbs on top. Air fry until the casing is brown and crispy, and the cheese filling is melted. Serve with a dip or hot tomato soup.
Prosciutto-Wrapped String Cheese
For a more savoury option, wrap a string cheese stick with a thin slice of prosciutto. You can use a small amount of cream cheese as a "glue" to help the prosciutto stick to the cheese. To make it even more fun and whimsical, especially for kids, stick a half olive on one end of the wrapped cheese to create "witch's fingers".
Spring Rolls
Instead of the traditional vegetable, bean sprout, and meat fillings, use string cheese to create an intense cheesy creation. Wrap up half a string cheese stick in a spring roll wrapper, making sure to tuck in the sides to create a neat roll. Fry and drain before serving with marinara sauce, fresh chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Keto-Friendly Option
For those on a keto diet, wrap your string cheese in prosciutto instead of breading it. This provides a satisfying, low-carb alternative to breaded cheese sticks.
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Frequently asked questions
Dip mozzarella string cheese in beaten eggs, then coat with breadcrumbs. Deep fry the coated mozzarella sticks in batches of vegetable oil until the crust is golden brown, about 1 minute.
String cheese can be used in a variety of easy recipes, including pizza, sliders, cheese sticks, and skillet pizza bombs.
Instead of breading your string cheese, wrap it in prosciutto for a salty and cheesy snack.
String cheese can be used as a filling for stuffed jalapenos, meatballs, ravioli, manicotti, and more. It can also be added to pizza dough for a stuffed crust.
