12 Great Ways To Use Fresh Mozzarella Other Than Pizza

Mozzarella might be the most beloved cheese we have discovered. Its mild taste and silky texture make it palatable even to people who might not like cheese. This may be why it has become such a staple in countless dishes worldwide, reaching far beyond the boundaries of southern Italy, where it was invented. Originally prepared with the milk of water buffalos, a type you can still find in stores today, mozzarella is typically made with cow's milk and is available fresh, in low-moisture varieties, and even as string cheese.

Whichever the iteration, what sets mozzarella apart is its remarkable adaptability to various culinary contexts. Although we all know and love its performance as a pizza topping, it would be a crying shame to limit the joys of mozzarella to a single application. We don't have to stick to Italian dishes, either, as you might have noticed when you bit into that delicious cheesy quesadilla the other day or tried some amazing moussaka at the little Greek place on the corner. 

Mozzarella works in all these dishes — and more — because it melts readily and evenly. Not only that, but its stretchy consistency means that melting won't disintegrate it, causing it to create the perfect gooey layer for any dish. Let's take a look at some of the best meals in which you can use it. Other than on pizza, of course.

One of the great things about mozzarella as an ingredient is that a quality, fresh ball is so good that you hardly need to add anything. You could even pop it into your mouth straight out of the container. Or you can take it further and slice it up, then drizzle quality olive oil on top with a pinch of salt. Or add sliced ripe tomatoes and a few basil leaves. This recipe is so simple that it hardly needs one, but you can use our fresh tomato and mozzarella salad recipe anyway, in case you need some guidance.

This combination of ingredients is typically known as a Caprese salad, but that term makes it sound somewhat mysterious if you've never had one before. This salad combines fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil with simple condiments like olive oil and balsamic vinegar. To truly savor and appreciate a ball of fresh mozzarella, a simple approach may be your best bet. Its mild, milky flavor is at its best when not overwhelmed by other ingredients, while the acidity in the tomatoes and vinegar gives some dynamism to the dish as a whole.

Mozzarella is versatile for many reasons, including because it can be used in any component of your meal, from appetizers to entrees and beyond. A great example of a mozzarella-based appetizer is our surprisingly light cheese and herb croquettes recipe, where the mozzarella plays a central role — literally and figuratively.

When you prepare these little bites of joy, you may notice they are surprisingly light, contrasting everything you know to be true of cheese. While we may love the stuff, it usually doesn't scream light and airy. This is not the case when you use fresh mozzarella, known for being mild even in the melted, gooey form it takes once stuffed inside fried croquettes. This is even truer in this recipe, where the mozzarella is paired with ricotta, another great mild Italian dairy product. Serve this finger food with a lemon, herb, and mayo dip to impart extra flavor to your croquettes while remaining in lockstep with the overall vibe.

Despite the name, our crispy and saucy chicken Parmesan recipe has much to offer in the cheese department. That is, Parmesan is not the only cheese player here. Mozzarella figures prominently and is one key contributor to the saucy part of the deal. First, let's start with the crispy part.

Prepare your chicken breasts and coat them in several layers of the good stuff: flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. Fry these up in a pan to make them crispier, then bake them in the oven with homemade tomato sauce and plenty of fresh mozzarella on the top. Tear the cheese apart by hand and distribute it evenly across the baking dish, along with the Parmesan. 

Although this recipe isn't all that simple, as it requires making everything from scratch, you can substitute homemade tomato sauce for a good quality canned variety, which should shave off approximately 10 minutes in prep and cooking time. Pair the chicken with a light salad and some oven-baked potatoes, which should be ready in about the same time as the chicken, 25 minutes or so.

If you love Caprese salads but don't find them filling enough, this roasted Caprese sandwich recipe is for you. It comes with all the flavor benefits of the salad: tangy, fresh tomatoes, mild and creamy cheese, and bright basil leaves. However, it brings the added benefit of a nice loaf of bread to sink your teeth into.

To make this sandwich, you will want to roast most of the ingredients (hence the name) except the cheese. While this recipe calls for burrata, mozzarella makes a great substitute. Indeed, mozzarella, not burrata — which is creamier and tends to fall apart more readily than its counterpart — is the star cheese in Caprese salads, making mozzarella a more appropriate choice for this recipe. At least, it is if we want to stay true to the title. 

After the bread is out of the oven, lay some sliced mozzarella down and top it with roasted tomatoes. Don't forget to slip in some basil leaves before closing off the sandwich with the other piece of bread.

It may seem like a cop-out to mention that one great way of using fresh mozzarella involves making it into sticks — but this is about more than changing the shape. Our gooey and stringy mozzarella sticks recipe is about taking a good ingredient and making it better by breading and deep frying it. Let's face it — nearly anything can be made better by deep frying. This recipe will finally allow you to transform this classic American bar snack into something you can enjoy at home whenever you want. 

For the easiest handling, opt for a low-moisture mozzarella that you can chop into rectangles and dip into flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs. However, there's no rule against using fresh mozzarella here. Many recipes call for fresh mozzarella, as the breadcrumbs tend to stick to it more readily, and the result tends to be even more ooey-gooey. But remember: Fresh mozzarella won't hold together as well, so tread carefully.

People from Capri, where the original Caprese salad was invented, might be surprised to learn there is more than one way to prepare this dish. Like all delicious meals, the Caprese salad evolved and took on different forms according to the creativity of its makers. In the case of our chopped Caprese salad recipe, this dish transformed from a simple layering of tomato, mozzarella, and basil slices into a more traditional tossed salad with chopped cherry tomatoes, diced mozzarella (or small balls), and minced basil.

The benefits of making this salad over the layered version are that you don't need a knife to cut through the tomato slices, and you can put it on the same plate as your chicken, steak, or whatever protein you choose to pair with it. The traditional Caprese salad requires a special plate, as presentation is key. However, this chopped salad — which contains the same ingredients, only prepared and presented differently — is much more practical and tastes as good.