There’s nothing quite as comforting as a gooey, melted cheese dish. Whether it’s a mac and cheese, a pizza, or a grilled cheese sandwich, the melty goodness of cheese is unmatched. But not all cheeses are created equal when it comes to melting.
In this article, we’ll explore the cheeses that make you melt with delight.
1. Mozzarella
Mozzarella is perhaps the most well-known cheese for melting. It’s a semi-soft cheese that is mild in flavor and has a high moisture content, which makes it perfect for melting. It’s the star of pizza toppings, lasagna, and so many other dishes.
Mozzarella also has a stringy, stretchy texture when melted, making it fun to eat. Whether it’s on a pizza or in a sandwich, mozzarella cheese adds a delicious melty layer to any dish.
2. Fontina
Fontina is a semi-soft cheese from Italy with a nutty, earthy flavor. It is a little bit more intense than mozzarella, but it’s perfect for melting. Fontina has a high-fat content, which gives it a smooth, creamy texture when melted.
It’s great for adding to a grilled cheese sandwich or melting over vegetables for a comforting side dish. Its melting point is lower than some other cheeses, so it’s important to keep an eye on it while melting.
3. Gruyere
Gruyere is a hard cheese with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. It’s a staple in Swiss cuisine, and it’s also perfect for melting. Gruyere has a high-fat content, which makes it melt smoothly and evenly.
It’s also great for adding to mac and cheese or melted on a steak sandwich. Gruyere has a slightly higher melting point than mozzarella or fontina, so it’s important to be patient while melting it.
4. Cheddar
Cheddar is a hard, tangy cheese that is perfect for melting. It has a sharp flavor that can add a punch to any melted dish. It’s great for adding to a baked potato or melting over vegetables.
Cheddar has a lower moisture content than some other cheeses, which means it doesn’t melt as easily as mozzarella or fontina. However, with a little patience and attention, cheddar can make a delicious melted dish.
5. Brie
Brie is a soft cheese with a buttery, creamy flavor. It has a higher fat content than most other soft cheeses, which makes it perfect for melting.
Brie is great for melted on bread as an appetizer or melted over vegetables or meats for a decadent side dish. Brie has a low melting point, so it’s important to be careful not to overheat it, or it will become too runny.
6. Provolone
Provolone is a semi-hard cheese with a mild, slightly smoky flavor. It is perfect for melting, as it has a high-fat content and a smooth texture when melted. Provolone is great for adding to a sandwich or melting over pasta.
Its melting point is similar to that of mozzarella, so it’s easy to handle and melt.
7. Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack is a semi-hard cheese with a mild, buttery flavor. It’s a popular cheese in Mexican cuisine, and it’s perfect for melting.
Monterey Jack has a higher moisture content than many other semi-hard cheeses, which makes it melt smoothly and evenly. It’s great for melting over burritos or enchiladas or adding to a quesadilla. Its melting point is moderate, so it’s important to pay attention while melting.
8. Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is a pungent, strong-flavored cheese that is perfect for melting. It’s a softer cheese, so it’s best to add it to melted dishes rather than melt it alone.
Blue cheese is great for adding to a grilled cheese sandwich or melted over a steak or burger. Its melting point is low, so it’s important to be careful not to overheat it, or it will become too runny.
9. Emmental
Emmental is a hard, nutty cheese from Switzerland that is perfect for melting. It has a high-fat content, which makes it an excellent melting cheese. Emmental is commonly used in fondue, but it’s also great for melting over vegetables or meats.
Its melting point is higher than many other cheeses, so it requires a little bit more patience while melting.
10. Raclette
Raclette is a semi-hard cheese from Switzerland with a nutty, slightly sweet flavor. It is commonly melted over potatoes and vegetables in a traditional Swiss dish. Raclette melts smoothly and evenly, thanks to its high-fat content.
It’s great for adding to a grilled cheese sandwich or melted over roasted vegetables. Its melting point is low, so it’s important to be careful not to overheat it, or it will become too runny.
The Bottom Line
Cheese is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can take any dish to the next level. These ten cheeses are perfect for melting and will take your dishes to new heights.
Whether you’re making a pizza, a grilled cheese, or a mac and cheese, these cheeses will add the perfect melty layer of comfort to your dish.