Patrick Oconnell
Cheese sticks are a versatile snack that can be used in a variety of dishes. While they can be enjoyed as a simple snack on their own, there are several ways to elevate and incorporate cheese sticks into meals. Cheese sticks can be used as an ingredient in dishes such as pizza, nachos, and meatloaf, or they can be transformed into homemade mozzarella sticks or twist cheese sticks. With a few simple recipes, a bunch of cheese sticks can be turned into a variety of delicious meals and snacks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese stick recipes | Cheese sticks can be fried, baked in the oven, or cooked in an air fryer. They can be served with a classic marinara sauce, bolognese sauce, or ranch. |
| Cheese stick preparation | Cheese sticks can be made with mozzarella, string cheese, or cheese sticks/strings. They are coated with a variety of ingredients, including eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, and spices. |
| Cheese stick uses | Cheese sticks can be used as an appetizer, snack, or side dish. They can also be added to other dishes such as pizza, nachos, or meatloaf. |
| Storage | Cheese sticks can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Make pizza
Cheese sticks can be used in a variety of ways to make pizza. Here is a detailed guide on how to make pizza using cheese sticks:
Ingredients:
- Cheese sticks
- Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Pizza/marinara sauce
- Toppings of your choice (e.g. pepperoni, onion, garlic, herbs, Italian seasoning)
- Olive oil
- Butter
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Roll out the pizza dough into a thin, rectangular shape. You can make the dough yourself or use store-bought dough. If using cheese sticks to create a stuffed crust, roll the dough out thinly into a square or rectangle.
Step 2: Add Toppings
Spread your desired toppings over the dough, leaving some space around the edges. You can use classic toppings like pepperoni, or get creative with onions, garlic, herbs, or Italian seasoning.
Step 3: Place Cheese Sticks
Lay out your desired number of cheese sticks on the dough, either in the center of each rectangle or along the edges for a stuffed crust.
Step 4: Roll and Seal
Carefully roll the dough around the cheese sticks and toppings, ensuring a tight seal to prevent the cheese from melting out. Pinch the seams and ends together securely.
Step 5: Brush and Bake
Create a herb butter by combining butter with garlic, herbs, and Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture over the tops of the pizza rolls. Place the rolls on a lined baking sheet and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 6: Serve
Remove the pizza rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve them warm with a side of heated pizza or marinara sauce for dipping.
By following these steps, you can create delicious pizza rolls or a stuffed-crust pizza using cheese sticks. Enjoy experimenting with different toppings and serving them to your family and friends!
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Make nachos
Cheese sticks are a great way to add protein and flavour to your nachos. You can use cheese sticks as a topping or make a nacho cheese sauce to pour over your tortilla chips.
To make nachos with cheese sticks as a topping, start by shredding your cheese sticks. Shredding blocks of cheese rather than using pre-shredded cheese will give you the meltiest, gooiest cheese. You can also mix in other shredded cheeses such as cheddar and Colby Jack. Next, spread out your tortilla chips on a sheet pan and top with the shredded cheese. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Once the cheese is melted, remove the pan from the oven and add your desired toppings. You can add a variety of toppings such as seasoned beef, refried beans, black beans, ground chicken, shredded chicken, grilled tofu, or fresh ingredients like pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, diced onions, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, and lime wedges.
If you prefer a heartier nacho dish, you can layer the tortilla chips, cheese, and toppings in a 9x13 baking dish and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This way, you get a generous amount of toppings and cheese in every bite.
Alternatively, you can make a nacho cheese sauce by melting the shredded cheese with some milk and spices. Pour this sauce over your tortilla chips and enjoy as a movie night snack.
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Make cheesy meatballs
If you have a bunch of cheese sticks and are looking for ways to use them up, one option is to make some delicious cheesy meatballs. This is a great way to elevate your regular meatball dish and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Here is a step-by-step guide to making cheesy meatballs with your cheese sticks:
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
Start by preparing your favourite meatball recipe. You can use a combination of ground beef and pork, or just beef, along with breadcrumbs, eggs, parsley, garlic cloves, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. You can also add some shredded mozzarella to the mixture if you like. Keep your hands moist while forming the meatballs to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
Create the Cheesy Centre
Take your cheese sticks and cut them into small pieces or 1-inch cubes. If you are using string cheese, cut each string into about eight pieces. Then, take a scoop of the meatball mixture and form it into a small ball. Flatten the centre of the ball and place a piece of cheese stick in the middle. Pinch the sides of the meatball around the cheese to seal it tightly. Repeat this process until you have used up all your meatball mixture and cheese.
Cook the Meatballs
Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Gently place the meatballs into the skillet and cook until they are browned on all sides and have a nice crust. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside. In the same skillet, add your choice of sauce, such as marinara or tomato puree. Return the meatballs to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Cover the pan and simmer for about 12-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is melted.
Serve and Enjoy
These cheesy meatballs make a great appetizer, especially when served with toothpicks for easy grabbing. They can also be served over spaghetti for a hearty meal or stuffed into a hoagie for a tasty meatball sub. Enjoy the cheesy goodness!
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Make mozzarella sticks
Mozzarella sticks are a great snack and can be made at home with very little effort. They are best fried, but can also be baked or air-fried. Here is a simple recipe to make your own mozzarella sticks:
Ingredients
- Low-moisture mozzarella cheese or string cheese
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Italian seasoning (a blend of herbs like basil, marjoram, oregano)
- Salt
- Flour
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil or any neutral cooking oil (like canola, corn, or peanut oil)
Method
First, cut the mozzarella into sticks about 3 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. You can also use string cheese, cutting them in half. Then, prepare three bowls. In the first bowl, mix flour with water. In the second, whisk the eggs. In the third, mix the breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning and salt. Now, take each mozzarella stick and dip it first in the flour mixture, then the egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs. Make sure the cheese is well coated to prevent the cheese from leaking out during frying. Place the coated sticks in the freezer for about an hour. This will help the coating solidify and get sturdy.
Once the sticks are frozen, heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Use a spider spoon or tongs to carefully place 3-4 sticks into the hot oil. Fry for about 30 seconds to a minute, until they turn golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels. Repeat for the remaining sticks. Serve hot with a marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping!
You can also bake or air-fry the mozzarella sticks. Spray the coated sticks with cooking spray and preheat the oven or air fryer to 400°F. Cook for 9-11 minutes until the crumbs are crisp and the cheese is melted.
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Make cheesy garlic bread
To make cheesy garlic bread with cheese sticks, you can follow this recipe:
Ingredients:
- Cheese sticks
- Butter
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Flour
- Yeast
- Sugar
- Salt
- Warm water
- Olive oil
Method:
- Combine 1 cup of flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the warm water and olive oil.
- Gradually add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour, mixing until the dough isn't sticky and forms into a ball. You may need to add up to an additional 1/2 cup of flour.
- Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 20 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into 10 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a log about 7 inches long.
- Place the dough logs onto a parchment-lined pan and lightly cover with a dish towel.
- Preheat your oven to 475°F.
- Melt 3 tablespoons of butter and mix it with garlic in a small bowl.
- Spread the butter and garlic mixture evenly over the dough, all the way to the edges.
- Top with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Transfer the dough (still on the parchment paper) onto a hot pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
- Serve with dipping sauces like marinara sauce or ranch.
You can also try adding Italian seasoning, Cajun spice, or garlic powder to the butter for extra flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese sticks can be used in a variety of recipes, including nachos, corn tortillas, stuffed-crust pizza, meatloaf, and cheesy meatballs.
To make fried cheese sticks, you will need cheese, eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, and oil for frying. First, cut the cheese into sticks or halves. Then, dip the cheese sticks into a mixture of beaten eggs and flour, followed by breadcrumbs. Finally, fry the cheese sticks in hot oil until they are golden brown.
Yes, cheese sticks can be baked in the oven. Spray the cheese sticks with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the crumbs are crisp and the cheese is melted.
Cheese sticks can be served with a variety of sauces such as marinara sauce, bolognese sauce, or ranch dressing.
Yes, cheese sticks can be frozen for later use. It is recommended to freeze them on a tray for at least two hours before transferring them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
