Adding cheese to a dish can improve its flavor, texture, and overall appeal.
As ADVICE.NEWS reports, the ideal time to add cheese depends on the dish you're making and the specific cheese you're using.
Here are some general guidelines.
Dishes with processed cheese
For dishes like macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, or cheese casseroles, add cheese toward the end of cooking or just before serving.
This allows the cheese to melt evenly and become gooey and delicious.
Pasta dishes
When making pasta dishes like alfredo or carbonara, add the shredded cheese to the sauce immediately after it's cooked and removed from the heat. Stir the cheese until it's completely melted and combined with the other ingredients.
Soups and stews
If you want to add cheese to soups or stews, do so at the end of cooking.
Add the cheese when the soup is hot but not boiling, and stir until dissolved.
Salads
For salads, crumble or grate cheese over the top just before serving.
This keeps the cheese fresh and distinctly flavorful, which will complement the rest of the ingredients in the salad.
Baked dishes
When baking dishes like lasagna or enchiladas, add cheese to the top layer before placing it in the oven.
This allows the cheese to become golden and bubbly as it bakes.
Pizza
For homemade pizza, add grated cheese over sauce and other toppings before baking.
This ensures that the cheese melts and stretches as it should.
