Best Fresh Mozzarella Recipes

FRESH MOZZARELLA AND TOMATO

Steps:

• On round plate, arrange tomato and cheese slices alternately. Drizzle oil and vinegar over tomatoes and cheese. Sprinkle with basil and pepper.
• Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes to blend flavors. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

PENNE WITH FRESH TOMATOES, BASIL, AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Put a large pot of salted water on for the pasta. Meanwhile, prepare your sauce. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute or less. Add the tomatoes and cook them for 3 to 5 minutes, just until they begin to release some of their juice.
• Cook the pasta in the pot of salted boiling water for 12 to 13 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta. Add the pasta and basil to the pan with the tomatoes and toss. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Serve the pasta in bowls, equally distribute the fresh mozzarella and grated Parmesan between the bowls. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the bowls of pasta and serve immediately.

FRESH TOMATO & MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Cut up the tomatoes and mozzarella into large cubes.
• Add basil leaves and drizzle w/ vinegar and olive oil.
• Stir lightly.
• Sprinkle with a little salt.
• Chill at least one hour.
• Store in refrigerator.

TOMATO AND FRESH MOZZARELLA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, shallot, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl with the dressing.
• Add the tomatoes, mozzarella and basil to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.
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GRILLED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS WITH TOMATOES AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat).
• Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over both sides of the mushrooms. Sprinkle the mushrooms with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil on grill pan to prevent mushrooms from sticking. Grill until the mushrooms are heated through and tender, about 5 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, whisk the extra-virgin olive oil and garlic in a medium bowl to blend. Add the tomatoes, cheese, and basil and toss to coat. Season the tomato salad, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Place 1 hot grilled mushroom gill side up on each of 4 plates. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Spoon the tomato salad atop the mushrooms, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil to finish, about 1 tablespoon and serve.

FRESH MOZZARELLA AND TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cheese, basil, parsley and mint; set aside., In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Pour over tomato mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving., Just before serving, stir in avocados. Serve with a slotted spoon.

ROASTED TOMATO, AVOCADO, AND FRESH MOZZARELLA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Arrange tomato slices on the baking sheet and top with about 3 tablespoons olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.
• Roast in the preheated oven until tomatoes are wilted, wrinkly, and scorched in some places, 25 to 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place bread slices in the skillet and cook until crisp and golden in parts, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• Remove bread from skillet and rub garlic onto each slice; sprinkle sea salt over bread.
• Layer mozzarella cheese on the toasted bread and top with avocado slices. Sprinkle sea salt over avocado and squeeze lemon over it. Top with roasted tomatoes and dill. Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over crostini and sprinkle with flaked salt.

OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA & TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Coat casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
• Combine the first seven (7) ingredients in a shallow dish, stir to mix well.
• Dip chicken one piece at a time in the beaten egg and dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
• Place chicken in the prepared casserole dish.
• Bake for 25 minutes. Turn up the heat to BROIL; remove chicken and transfer to a piece of foil. Top with tomatoes, mozarella, and vinegar. Finish cooking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
• Sprinkle with basil and parsley.

FRESH MOZZARELLA, TOMATO, AND BASIL COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the tomato, mozzarella, shallots, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic, toss well then refrigerate, covered, to marinate for 30 minutes.
• In a saucepan bring the water to a boil and gradually stir in the couscous; remove from the stove, cover, and set aside for 5 minutes.
• With a fork, fluff the couscous then let cool.
• Add the cooled couscous and chopped basil to the tomato mixture in the bowl and toss.
• Garnish with whole basil leaves and serve.
• Note: part-skim mozzarella cheese can be substituted.

GRILLED EGGPLANT AND FRESH MOZZARELLA ON CIABATTA WITH ROASTED RED PEPPERS, GARLIC MAYONNAISE, FRESH BASIL AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• Combine the mayonnaise and garlic in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
• Heat a grill to high.
• Brush the eggplant on both sides with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill until golden brown on both sides and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Brush the peppers with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill until charred on all sides, remove, place in a bowl, cover and let steam for 10 minutes. Remove the skin and the seeds.
• Put bread on the grill, cut side down, and grill for 30 seconds to warm through and crisp slightly. Spread the bread with the mayonnaise mixture and top the bottom half with eggplant, peppers, cheese, basil and arugula. Cover with the top of the bread and serve.

GNOCCHI WITH CHICKEN, PESTO AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper; cook and stir in the hot oil until no longer pink in the middle, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove chicken to a bowl using a slotted spoon, retaining drippings in the pan.
• Pour chicken broth into the saucepan. Bring broth to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon; continue cooking until the broth reduces in volume by about half, 7 to 10 minutes. Return cooked chicken to the saucepan. Stir pesto through the chicken mixture; remove from heat.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Cook gnocchi at a boil until they float to the top, about 3 minutes. Remove gnocchi from the water to a large bowl using a slotted spoon, retaining water in the pot.
• Place the saucepan with the chicken and pesto over the boiling water; cook and stir over the boiling water until warmed completely, about 5 minutes. Pour chicken and pesto mixture over the gnocchi; add mozzarella and stir until evenly mixed.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO & FRESH MOZZARELLA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring large pot of water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, make dressing: combine all dressing ingredients.
• Process until sun dried tomatoes are coarsely chopped.
• Transfer to small bowl and set aside.
• Add one teaspoon of salt and pasta to boiling water, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Cook until pasta is tender (about 11 min.) and drain well.
• Transfer to a large serving bowl.
• Add dressing to hot pasta and toss to coat.
• Let cool, stirring occasionally.
• Add tomatoes, mozzarella,basil, Parmesan, and olives.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Toss to mix and serve at room temperature.

QUICK TOMATO-BASIL PASTA WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, and pepper flakes in medium saucepan over medium heat until fragrant but not brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in crushed and diced tomatoes, bring to simmer, and cook until slightly thickened, 15-20 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons basil, sugar and 1/2 teaspoons salt.
• Add 1 tablespoons salt and pasta to boiling water. Cook until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, drain pasta, and transfer back to pot. Stir in sauce and remaining tablespoons oil, and cook over medium heat until heated through (adding reserved water if pasta seems dry), about 1 minute. Stir in mozzarella and season with salt. Serve, sprinkling with remaining 2 tablespoons basil and Parmesan.

OPEN-FACED GRILLED TUSCAN CHICKEN SANDWICHES WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Heat a grill to medium-high heat or have a ridged grill pan ready.
• Combine 2 tablespoons of the oil, lemon juice, garlic, and 2 teaspoons of the rosemary in a small bowl. Sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken; place in a pie plate or shallow plate. Pour oil mixture over chicken; turn to coat. Let stand at least 10 minutes or up to 20 minutes.
• Transfer chicken to grill with some of marinade clinging; discard marinade on plate. Grill chicken (or cook in a heated ridged grill pan over medium heat) 5 minutes per side or until chicken is no longer pink in center and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
• Brush remaining 2 tablespoons oil over both sides of bread. Place on grill (or in a large nonstick skillet) and cook 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Transfer to serving plates; top with greens and cheese. Carve cooked chicken diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices; arrange over cheese. Top with remaining 1 teaspoon rosemary.

FRESH MOZZARELLA BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degreesF.
• Slice French bread or baguette into 1/2-inch slices.
• Brush both sides lightly with 2 T olive oil.
• Place on baking sheet.
• Sprinkle lightly with salt, if desired.
• Combine chopped tomatoes, Italian seasoning and crushed garlic.
• Set aside.
• Bake French bread slices in oven for 3 minutes.
• Turn each slice over and bake an additional 2 minutes.
• Remove from oven.
• Spread each slice with a tablespoon of the tomato mixture.
• Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
• Return to oven for 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• Serve immediately.

FRESH MOZZARELLA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the orzo, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, but still firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain well, and let cool.
• Mix the mozzarella cheese cubes, tomatoes, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt with olive oil in a salad bowl. Gently mix in the orzo pasta, and toss lightly to coat the ingredients with oil.

BALSAMIC CHICKEN AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Place chicken in a shallow dish or large resealable plastic bag. Pour the dressing over it, cover or seal, and marinate in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours.
• Coat a large skillet with cooking spray or oil, and set over low heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Fry chicken breast halves over low heat for about 30 minutes, or until juices run clear.
• Arrange chicken on a serving platter. Place a generous slice of fresh mozzarella on top of each piece. Place a leaf of basil on top of the cheese, and cover with a slice of tomato. Dash balsamic vinegar over the platter, and season with salt and pepper. Serve!

TOMATO-BASIL PASTA WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is crisp-tender. Stir in tomatoes. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Stir in basil.
• Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta as directed on box.
• Stir pasta into sauce. Cook until thoroughly heated. Into large serving bowl, pour pasta and sauce. Gently stir in cheese and pine nuts.

PASTA WITH MINT, BASIL AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• In a small skillet over medium heat, toast pine nuts, shaking the pan frequently, until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
• In a blender or mini food processor, combine Parmesan, basil, mint, garlic, salt and chile flakes. Pulse to combine, then add oil and process until smooth, adding more oil if needed to make a smooth paste. Taste and adjust salt and chile flakes if needed.
• Transfer 2 tablespoons sauce to a small bowl and stir in mozzarella. Cover and let marinate at room temperature while boiling the pasta.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Use a mug to scoop out approximately 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta. Transfer pasta to a serving bowl.
• To serve, toss pasta with sauce and marinated mozzarella, adding a little of the reserved pasta water if the mixture looks dry. (It's O.K. if the mozzarella melts slightly while you're tossing.) Top with pine nuts, torn basil and mint, black pepper, Parmesan and another drizzle of oil to serve.

GRILLED STEAK AND FRESH MOZZARELLA FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Press lemon pepper evenly onto steaks. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 12 to 17 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 12 to 16 minutes) for medium rare (145 degrees F) to medium (160 degrees F) doneness, turning occasionally.
• Meanwhile, combine spinach, cheese and basil in large bowl. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar; toss to coat and set aside.
• Remove steak from grill and let stand 5 minutes. Place naan on grill; grill, covered, 1 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once.
• Carve steaks into slices. Top naan evenly with spinach mixture and steak slices.