Start with a Mild or Sharp Cheddar Mild and Sharp Cheddar have a smoother, creamier texture than Extra Sharp and Seriously Sharp Cheddar. They also have a higher moisture content than Extra Sharp and Seriously Sharp Cheddar and are, therefore, easier to melt.
StepsMethod
- Question In a casserole, is it better to use shredded or sliced cheese?
Caeiia Top Answerer Shredded, so it will melt evenly. - Question After you melt cheddar cheese will it get hard later?
Community Answer As it cools, it will harden. To keep the cheese at a melted consistency, it needs to be exposed to low heat for short intervals. - Question If I want to cut the cheese into cubes before melting it, how big should the cubes be?
Community Answer Try to cut the cubes as small as you can so theyll melt more easily. I suggest making them the size of dice, if not a little bit smaller.
Things You Should Know
- Grate a mild or sharp cheddar into a bowl. Shredding your cheese helps it melt more evenly.
- Let the cheese sit on the counter and come to room temperature for half an hour. This lessens the heating time, preventing burns.
- Microwave your cheese for 15-30 seconds at a time until its completely melted. Mix the cheese with a spoon between each interval.
How to Melt Cheddar Cheese
FAQ
Does Sharp cheddar cheese melt well?
Cooking with Cheddar The more aged the cheese is, the less moisture it contains and the more heat is required to melt it. Mild or sharp cheddars melt the best, while aged cheddars start to behave more like Parmesan cheese.
How do you make sharp cheddar melt?
Set the microwave on low heat for 15 seconds. Cheese prefers to be melted at the lowest heat possible. Start with 15 seconds. Heating cheese at high temperatures sucks the moisture and fat out of the cheese. This will result in clumpy and/or greasy melted cheese.
Why is cheddar cheese hard to melt?
Younger cheeses tend to melt more easily than older ones, so a younger cheddar will melt much better than an aged one. Older cheeses like aged cheddar are actually poor melters and can become grainy or oily when melted. How it’s made: Certain cheeses will also have a harder time melting based on how they are made.