Shredded cheese can be used as a topping for so many dishes. You may use a grater to shred your block of cheese or buy an already shredded one from the food store.
However, it is always advisable to buy a block of cheese and shred it from home. Shredded cheese from the store contains chemical preservatives that prevent them from clumping.
Melting shredded cheese in the microwave requires one to focus on specific details like the microwave temperature and appropriate timing.
Let’s look at how to melt shredded cheese in the microwave.
Transfer the shredded cheese to a microwave-safe bowl. Use a vented lid to loosely cover the bowl and place the cheese in the microwave—heat for 15 seconds. Remove the bowl from the microwave and slightly stir the cheese.
Add two tablespoons of milk if the cheese seems not to be melting as expected. Return the bowl to the microwave and heat the cheese for 15 seconds. Ensure to use the cheese while still hot before it cools and hardens again.
This article speaks on how to melt shredded cheese in the microwave. Simple step-by-step guidelines have been provided to help the reader understand what is needed. There are also helpful tips that one needs to know before and during the melting of the cheese. The author has ended the article by discussing some of the most frequently asked questions about the topic.
Step to Step Procedure on How to Melt Shredded Cheese in the Microwave
Below is a detailed process for easily melting shredded cheese in the microwave.
Requirements
- A grater
- A block of cheese
- Milk
- A microwave-safe bowl
- A stirrer
- A potholder
- A vented lid
Procedure
Step One: Shred the Block Cheese
Use a grater to grate the cheese block. Place the grated cheese on a plate and cool at room temperature for a few minutes before you microwave. Letting cheese stay at room temperature to cool down helps ease the melting process, especially if the block cheese is frozen.
Step Two: Prepare to Microwave the Cheese
Transfer the shredded cheese to a microwavable bowl. Avoid using a plate since it may not carry the melted cheese. Also, avoid using plastic containers or bowls for this kind of task. Such materials might are not able to withstand the heat from the microwave, hence melting down.
Step Three: Melt the Cheese
Use a vented lid to cover the cheese bowl and place it in the microwave. Adjust the microwave’s settings, let it be at medium heat, and set a 15 seconds timer. Hit the START button and begin to melt down the cheese.
Step Four: Stir the Cheese
After 15 minutes, stir the cheese for equal distribution of heating. However, remember not to use so much force since it may cause it to clump. If the cheese seems not to be melting appropriately, you may consider adding two tablespoons of milk to enhance the process.
Step Five: Reheat the Cheese
Return the cheese to the microwave and reheat again for 15 more seconds.
Step Six: Serve the Cheese
Use a potholder to remove the bowl from the microwave. At this point, the melted cheese is too hot and can cause damage to your skin. Therefore one should remove it from the microwave with so much care. Serve the cheese while still hot. Letting it stay at room temperature will only cool it down and harden even before using it.
Helpful Tips to Guide you Before and When Melting Shredded Cheese in the Microwave
Avoid Using Packaged Shredded Cheese
Packaged shredded cheese has to be mixed with cellulose or potato starch. These two chemical ingredients prevent the shredded cheese from melting and sticking or clumping together.
Therefore, you are advised to buy a cheese block, freeze it until you are ready to use it and shred it yourself. Cheese blocks are safe since they do not contain any chemicals that act as preservatives.
Go for Mild or Sharp Cheese
Mild or sharp cheese is still fresh. Melting cheese that has stayed in the food store for longer has difficulties when it comes to melting. The more the cheese stays without being used, the more the cheese’s proteins continue to form a very firm structure.
Tight bonds between water and the proteins in the cheese are formed, making it difficult for heat to break the bond to melt the cheese. Mild or sharp cheese is still soft with air and moisture, making the melting process easier.
Consider Letting the Shredded Cheese Stay at Room Temperature for a While
After shredding the frozen cheese block, place it on a flat plate and stay at room temperature before microwaving. It will cool and soften, making the melting process easier and faster.
Use Milk to Soften the Cheese When Microwaving
Suppose you notice the cheese is not showing any signs of melting even after the first 15 seconds of microwaving. Add at least two tablespoons of milk, gently stir the mixture and return the cheese to the microwave for 15 seconds.
Only Use a Microwave-safe Bowl
A bowl is the best container to use when melting cheese. A plate will not carry the melted cheese appropriately. Also, ensure the bowl is microwave safe; if you are unsure if the bowl is microwave safe, most have a safe microwave symbol. If not, consider using containers made from glass or ceramic.
Plastic containers are also a no go zone, the heat from both the microwave and the melted cheese will melt the container, and the melted container’s content will mix with the cheese, making it harmful to your health.
Make Use of a Vented Lid and a Stirrer to Hasten the Melting Process
Covering the bowl used to melt the cheese in the microwave retains the moisture steam in the bowl, speeding up the process and keeping the cheese from becoming too chewy.
Also, as the cheese melts, consider using a spatula or a spoon to stir the cheese to fasten the cheese. Also, avoid vigorous stirring as you stir, which might cause the cheese to form clumps.
Always melt Cheese at Medium Temperature
Ovoid exposing too much heat to cheese. When cheese is melted under too much heat, the water and the fat in the cheese begin to separate, and the water begins to evaporate as the fat continues to be so hard and firm.
The proteins in the fat begin to tighten and form strong bonds. Eventually, the cheese becomes too chewy for you.
Make Use of a Potholder or a Clean Kitchen Towel While Removing the Bowl From the Microwave
Melted cheese needs to be removed from the microwave immediately since it needs to be served while still hot. The bowl itself is usually extremely hot at this point.
Using bare hands might cause burns to your skin. Therefore, it is advisable to protect your skin by either using a potholder or a clean kitchen towel to remove the bowl from the microwave.
Faqs On How to Melt Shredded Cheese in the Microwave
How to melt shredded cheese without clumping it?
Transfer the shredded cheese to a microwave-safe bowl. Use a vented lid to loosely cover the bowl and place the cheese in the microwave—heat for 15 seconds.
\Remove the bowl from the microwave and slightly stir the cheese as you add two tablespoons of milk. Return the bowl to the microwave and heat the cheese for 15 seconds.
How many minutes does it take to melt cheese in the microwave?
Melting cheese in the microwave should take 15 to 30 seconds. Place the shredded cheese in a microwave-safe bowl, cover the bowl with a vented lid, and microwave for 15 seconds. If the cheese is not melting, add two tablespoons of milk and reheat again in the microwave for 15 more seconds.
Why isn’t my cheese melting in the microwave?
There are several reasons why cheese is not melting in the microwave; some are listed below.
1. It Has Overstayed
The more the cheese stays without being used, the more the cheese’s proteins continue to form a very firm structure. Tight bonds between water and the proteins in the cheese are formed, making it difficult for heat to break the bond to melt the cheese. Mild or sharp cheese is still soft with air and moisture, making the melting process easier.
2. Its Acidity Level
If the cheese you intend to melt has a neutral acidity level or is slightly lower than the neutral acidity level, there is a high possibility that the cheese will not melt.
Can you melt pre-shredded cheese?
Yes, you can; they contain potato starch and natamycin, which act as a preservative that will keep them from sticking together until it is time for you to melt and use the cheese.
How do you melt shredded cheese on the stovetop?
Place the shredded cheese on a saucepan and evenly spread the cheese. Place the pan on a stove and cover it with a lid. At the lowest heat setting, begin to heat the butter. Keep stirring gently until the butter has completely melted; remember to sever the butter while still hot. Leaving it at room temperature will only cool and harden it again.
Why does my cheese clump while melting?
The reason why cheese clumps while melting are probably because you stirred it too vigorously, and instead of spreading the heat evenly, one side of the boil was accumulated with so much cheese that it did not evenly melt. The other reason could be because the cheese has stayed on the shelf for too long, and therefore it has lost its moisture and softness.
What is the anti-caking agent in shredded cheese?
Cellulose is the anti-caking agent found in shredded cheese. It contributes to keeping the shredded cheese in shape without melting and clamping on together until the cheese is melted and used.
Why is my cheese not melting in my mac and cheese?
The main reason the cheese in your mac and cheese is not melting is that you tried to heat it too first with very high power.
When cheese is melted under too much heat, the water and the fat in the cheese begin to separate, and the water begins to evaporate as the fat continues to be so hard and firm. The proteins in the fat begin to tighten and form strong bonds. Eventually, the cheese becomes too chewy for you.
Why isn’t my cheese melting in my sauce?
You must have used extreme heat that overcooked the cheese when cooking the sauce. The water and the fat in the cheese begin to separate, and the water begins to evaporate as the fat continues to be so hard and firm. The proteins in the fat begin to tighten and form strong bonds. Eventually, the cheese becomes too chewy for you. Therefore it is advisable to allow the sauce to cook and only be hot enough to melt the cheese instead of overheating it.
Can you melt a block of cheese?
Yes, you can melt a block of cheese. Place a saucepan on a stove; heat the pan at medium heat. Use a spoon or kitchen knife and keep scooping a portion of it as you drop it on a saucepan one portion after the other until the entire block has completely melted.
Why you need to stop buying shredded cheese?
Shredded cheese has to be mixed with cellulose or potato starch. These two chemical ingredients prevent the shredded cheese from melting and sticking or clumping together. Therefore, you are advised to buy a cheese block, freeze it until you are ready to use it and shred it yourself. Cheese blocks are safe since they do not contain any chemicals that act as preservatives
Can you melt cheese slices in the microwave?
Yes, you can melt sliced cheese in the microwave. Place the slices in a microwavable bowl. Add at least two tablespoons of milk. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds. Keep increasing the melting time by 10 seconds until the slices melt completely.
What cheese melts best in microwave?
Cheddar cheese is the best cheese to melt in the microwave. It is soft and can easily be melted into a smooth and creamy paste, especially if done at the right temperature and for the appropriate duration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, shredded cheese melts pretty well in the microwave. However, do not go for those that overstayed in the food store.
Also, if possible, buy a block of cheese and freeze it until you are ready to use it, instead of pre-shredded cheese that contains several preservative chemicals to keep it from melting and clumping.
