Mozzarella is one of the most popular pizza cheeses and a key ingredient in many delicious Italian dishes. With its mild flavor and exceptional melting properties, mozzarella adds the perfect amount of stretch and richness to any recipe. Great Value mozzarella cheese delivers all the tasty goodness of traditional mozzarella at an affordable price point. But an important question remains – does Great Value mozzarella melt well?
The Importance of Melting Properties
For mozzarella cheese to be considered high quality and suitable for cooking, it must melt smoothly when heated. Proper melting allows the cheese to cover the entire surface of a pizza evenly. It also enables mozzarella to bind ingredients together in dishes like lasagna. Stringy melted cheese provides the satisfying mouthfeel that cheese lovers crave. Mozzarella that does not melt well can ruin your cooking and leave you with a lumpy, greasy mess.
So what makes some mozzarella melt better than others? The melting properties depend largely on the moisture content. Fresh mozzarella has a high moisture content, which causes it to melt quickly into a smooth, creamy consistency. Lower moisture cheeses like aged mozzarella take longer to melt and end up stringier and chewier. The milk fat content also impacts the melt – higher fat means better melt and stretch.
Evaluating the Melt of Great Value Mozzarella
Now let’s examine how well Great Value mozzarella cheese actually melts. Being an affordable supermarket brand, you might expect it to be a lower quality product. However, Great Value mozzarella has some surprisingly good melting abilities.
Here are some key observations on the melting properties of Great Value mozzarella:
- Melts smoothly without clumping or separating
- Forms an even, cohesive layer of melted cheese
- Provides decent stretch when pulled apart
- Does not produce excess oil when melted
- Melts quickly within 1-2 minutes once heated
While it may not have quite the melt of high-end fresh Italian mozzarella, Great Value mozzarella performs better than many other major supermarket brands. It achieves that classic melted mozzarella texture you want for pizza, lasagna, and more.
How to Melt Great Value Mozzarella
Melting cheese properly requires some technique. Here are some tips for melting Great Value mozzarella perfectly every time:
- Start with room temperature cheese. Take the mozzarella out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Cut the mozzarella into small 1/2 inch cubes. This increases the surface area for faster melting.
- Use low to medium-low heat. High heat can make the cheese rubbery and uneven.
- Stir or fold the cheese frequently as it melts. This helps prevent clumping.
- For pizza, sprinkle some grated mozzarella over the melted slice for extra stretch and browning.
Oven-melting works great too. Place the mozzarella cubes or shreds on a pizza or baking sheet in a 375°F oven. Remove once the cheese is fully melted and starting to brown on top.
How Great Value Mozzarella Stacks Up
To give a better idea of how Great Value melts compared to other major brands, here is a table evaluating the melting properties:
| Brand | Melt Smoothness | Stretchiness | Greasiness | Browning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Value | Good | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
| Kraft | Fair | Low | High | High |
| Sargento | Excellent | High | Low | Good |
| Publix | Good | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
| Trader Joe’s | Good | High | Low | Moderate |
While brands like Sargento set the benchmark for stretch and melt quality, Great Value holds its own with a smooth melt and low grease. It outperforms Kraft and matches favorably with Publix and Trader Joe’s mozzarella in terms of meltability.
Cheese Shapes and Sizes
The form of the mozzarella you buy also impacts the melt. Small cubed cheeses like bocconcini melt faster than larger blocks. Shredded mozzarella has more surface area so it also melts quickly, though some find it doesn’t quite achieve that true mozzarella texture.
For most baking purposes like pizza and lasagna, moderate sized cubes or shredded mozzarella work best. Save the larger blocks for appetizer platters with crackers and fruit.
Cooking with Great Value Mozzarella
Now that you know Great Value mozzarella melts smoothly and tastes great, here are some recipe ideas to try it in:
Pizza
Top your homemade or store-bought pizza crust with tomato sauce, Great Value mozzarella and any other favorite toppings. The mozzarella will form that perfect pizza cheese pull.
Lasagna
Layer lasagna noodles, meat sauce, ricotta and grated Great Value mozzarella for a comforting baked pasta dish.
Caprese Salad
Alternate fresh mozzarella slices with juicy tomatoes, basil and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Mozzarella Sticks
Bread mozzarella sticks in egg and breadcrumbs and fry or bake until that melty cheesy core shines through.
Grilled Cheese
Buttery grilled cheese sandwiches are taken to the next level with the addition of oozey melted mozzarella.
Key Takeaways on Great Value Mozzarella
Here are the main things to keep in mind when cooking with Great Value mozzarella:
- Melts smoothly and evenly
- Has decent stretch when melted
- Browns moderately when baked or fried
- Works well in most recipes calling for mozzarella
- An affordable option compared to premium brands
- Tastes best when properly melted using low steady heat
With its budget-friendly price and satisfactory melting abilities, Great Value mozzarella is a smart choice for all your pizza, pasta and appetizer needs. This cheese delivers on the key criteria that matters most – great taste and melt at an unbeatable value.
Conclusion
When your recipe relies on melted mozzarella cheese to achieve the right texture and flavor, you want a product that melts smoothly without greasiness or clumping. As an inexpensive supermarket brand, Great Value mozzarella performs impressively when put to the melt test. It hits all the criteria for a melted cheese you can rely on for serving up crave-worthy pizza, pasta, appetizers and more. While premium brands like Sargento set the bar for melt quality, Great Value mozzarella holds its own with a creamy, even melt at a fraction of the price. With proper preparation using low steady heat, you can unlock the full melting potential of Great Value mozzarella. So give this affordable cheese a try in your next recipe calling for melted mozzarella greatness.