Kamil Perry
There are many ways to make a delicious marinara sauce, and adding cheese is a great way to elevate the dish. The most popular recipe for a cheesy marinara sauce is the five-cheese marinara, which includes mozzarella, fontina, ricotta, parmesan, and asiago. The sauce is typically made with crushed tomatoes and heavy cream, and can be served with pasta, rice, or baked potatoes. It is important to note that the sauce should be hot enough to melt the cheese, but not boiling, as this may ruin the dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheeses | 3 or 5 |
| Types of cheese | Ricotta, Fontina, Mozzarella, Asiago, Parmesan, Cheddar, Cottage Cheese, Gruyere, Havarti, Gouda, Provolone, Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano |
| When to add cheese | After the sauce has been allowed to cool for a few minutes, but while it is still hot enough to melt the cheese |
| How to add cheese | Sprinkle shredded cheese over the pasta and cover with a lid to melt |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Five-cheese marinara sauce recipe
This five-cheese marinara sauce recipe is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served over pasta, rice, or baked potatoes. It is simple to make and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days or frozen for a few months. Here is a step-by-step guide to making this hearty and satisfying sauce.
Ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Oregano
- Italian seasoning
- Canned crushed tomatoes or fresh tomatoes (about 5 pounds, blanched and peeled)
- Heavy cream
- Basil
- Parsley
- Five kinds of cheese (see below for suggestions)
Suggested cheeses:
- Ricotta (or cottage cheese)
- Fontina (or Gruyere, provolone, or Gouda)
- Mozzarella (or Havarti, mild gouda, or cheddar)
- Asiago (or Parmesan, pecorino romano, or Grana Padano)
- Parmesan
Optional additions:
Meat (ground beef, chicken, or seafood)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium to medium-high heat.
- Add onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Season with salt, pepper, and oregano (and Italian seasoning, if desired). Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes (with liquid) and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer the sauce, covered, for 15-20 minutes. For a thicker sauce, uncover and simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
- Add heavy cream and about 1/4 cup of each of the five cheeses. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Fold in basil and parsley, and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve over your favorite pasta, rice, or baked potato and enjoy!
Note: Before adding the cheeses, let the sauce cool down a bit to avoid boiling the cheese. You want the sauce to be hot enough to melt the cheese without boiling it.
The Best Cheeses to Melt on Dukbokki
You may want to see also
Cheese substitutes for marinara sauce
A traditional marinara sauce is a simple tomato-based sauce with minimal ingredients, including tomatoes, onion, garlic, and seasonings. It is a versatile sauce that can be used as a dip, in pasta dishes, or as an ingredient in recipes such as minestrone soup.
While a classic marinara sauce is delicious, there are times when you might want to switch things up and use a substitute. Here are some cheese substitutes for marinara sauce to consider:
Pizza Sauce
Pizza sauce typically has a bold tomato flavor, making it a suitable replacement for marinara sauce. When using pizza sauce as a substitute, look for one that doesn't have overpowering flavors, such as those with too much oregano. Use equal parts pizza sauce as you would marinara sauce, and feel free to add some sweetness with sugar or a complex twist with red or white wine.
Salsa
Salsa shares many similar ingredients with marinara sauce, such as tomatoes, onions, and garlic. However, salsa also includes cilantro and jalapeño, giving it a distinct flavor. You can easily turn a jar of salsa into a homemade tomato sauce by adding some seasonings and tossing it with pasta and grated Romano or Parmesan cheese.
Fra Diavolo Sauce
If you like your food spicy, Fra Diavolo sauce is an excellent alternative to marinara. This sauce is commonly made with similar ingredients to marinara but with the addition of crushed red pepper flakes, sriracha, or other hot sauces. It pairs well with shellfish, shrimp, and crab cakes, and can also be used as a spicy dip for veggies or cheese sticks.
Tomato Soup
While it may seem unconventional, tomato soup can be used as a substitute for marinara sauce. Simply heat the soup on the stove until it bubbles, cook your pasta, drain it, and then add it to the soup. Toss until the pasta is fully coated, and finish with some grated Parmesan cheese.
Caponata
Caponata is a Sicilian eggplant dish with tomatoes, onions, peppers, celery, and garlic. It can be purchased from Italian specialty stores and used as a sauce for pasta, a side dish, or a spread on bruschetta.
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
For a twist on traditional pesto, blend sun-dried tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts. Toss this mixture with pasta and additional Parmesan cheese for a flavorful and hearty dish.
Zucchini and Onion Sauce
This sauce is made by cooking zucchini and onions until soft and then blending them with olive oil and Parmesan cheese. It can be tossed with pasta for a quick and easy meal.
Other Options
In addition to the substitutes mentioned above, you can also experiment with other sauces like Romesco sauce, arrabbiata, puttanesca, or olive oil-based garlic sauces. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try using BBQ sauce for a sweet and smoky twist, although it may not be ideal for traditional pasta dishes.
How to Handle Frozen Cheese: Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
Melting cheese on marinara sauce
There are several ways to melt cheese on marinara sauce. One popular method is to use a stovetop, where you can melt the cheese at a low temperature to achieve a smooth and creamy texture. This method gives you more control over the melting process and allows you to customise the consistency of your sauce, whether you prefer it thin and pourable or thick and creamy. Another option is to use an oven or grill to melt the cheese on top of the sauce. However, it is important to note that the oven may dry out the sauce, and if the cheese layer is too thick, the grill may leave some parts of the cheese under-melted.
When melting cheese on a stovetop, it is recommended to use cheeses with higher moisture content and lower melting points, such as cheddar, Swiss, or Gruyère. Low-fat and low-moisture cheeses like Romano and Parmesan are not ideal for stovetop melting as they burn easily.
To melt cheese on a stovetop, you can follow these steps:
- Start by heating your marinara sauce in a pan over medium heat. You can also add other ingredients like garlic, onions, or meat at this stage, cooking them until softened.
- Once your sauce is heated through, add heavy cream (if using) and stir to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and add your chosen cheese, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Continue cooking until the cheese is fully melted and combined with the sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Remove from the heat and serve immediately.
If you are using an oven or grill to melt the cheese, it is recommended to heat the marinara sauce first and then top it with grated cheese before placing it under the grill or in the oven. This will help ensure that the sauce is evenly warmed and the cheese melts properly.
Additionally, when making a cheese marinara sauce, it is important to use a pan that will not react to the acidity of the tomatoes, such as non-stick, ceramic, stainless, or enameled pans.
Some popular cheese options for a five-cheese marinara sauce include:
- Ricotta
- Fontina
- Mozzarella
- Asiago
- Parmesan
However, you can customise the cheeses based on your preferences and what you have on hand.
Cheese Crust: The Ultimate Guide to Cheesy Goodness
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing cheese marinara sauce
Freezing is a great option for long-term storage. You can use plastic containers, such as Tupperware, or freezer bags to store the sauce. These containers are stackable and can optimise freezer space. When using containers, it is important to leave some space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing. Freezer bags are a cheaper alternative and are easily available at grocery stores. They take up less space and are stretchable, but they can be fragile when the sauce is still liquid.
Another option for storing cheese marinara sauce is to use mason jars or other sealable glass jars. These jars can be purchased from most grocery or department stores. When using jars, it is important to note that this method is usually best for temporary storage, lasting for about two to three weeks in the refrigerator.
If you're looking for a long-term storage solution, canning is a great option. Canning involves quickly heating and capping jars to form a tight seal. This method can preserve your cheese marinara sauce indefinitely when done properly. However, it can be a time-consuming process. The necessary canning jars can be found at food storage companies and grocery or department stores.
BK's Bacon Cheeseburger: Secret Sauce, or Just Mayo?
You may want to see also
Serving cheese marinara sauce
There are many ways to serve cheese with marinara sauce, and the type of cheese you use is entirely up to your preference. Popular cheeses to use include ricotta, fontina, mozzarella, asiago, parmesan, cheddar, cottage cheese, Gruyere, and Gouda.
If you are making a five-cheese marinara sauce, you will need to add the cheese towards the end of the cooking process. First, make the marinara sauce by cooking garlic and onion in olive oil, then add crushed tomatoes and simmer. Once the sauce has thickened, add heavy cream and then the cheeses, stirring until melted. You can then add herbs and season to taste.
If you are making a pasta dish with marinara sauce, you can add cheese at various points in the cooking process. You can mix shredded mozzarella into the pasta and sauce, and then serve as soon as the cheese has melted. Alternatively, you can transfer the pasta into an oven-safe dish, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake until the cheese has melted.
If you are reheating leftover pasta with marinara sauce, you can grate cheese over the top and heat it in the oven or on the stove. It is best to start with the sauce hot and the cheese cold, rather than adding cheese to a cold sauce.
Creating a Nacho Cheese Fountain: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
First, heat the marinara sauce. Then, grate cheese over the sauce and put it in the oven or under the grill. The grill will brown the cheese faster, but if the cheese layer is too thick, some parts may remain unmelted. The oven may dry out the sauce more than the grill due to the longer cooking time.
You don't want to boil the cheese, but you also want the sauce to be hot enough to melt it. Let the sauce sit for a few minutes after cooking so it's not boiling, then add the cheese and stir.
Mozzarella is a popular choice, but other options include cottage cheese, Parmesan, and cheddar.
