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    Home » Ingredients » Cheese

    The Best Italian Grilled Scamorza Cheese

    Published: Mar 9, 2022 · Modified: Apr 21, 2023. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Recipe Jump to Video
    Grilled Scamorza cheese is the most stretchy, gooey, smoky, chewy and nutty cheese you can have. A spun-paste cheese made with cow's milk, Scamorza is similar to mozzarella. When grilled on a skillet, it forms a crispy crust outside while melting inside. It becomes stringy but remains firm, the perfect cheese to grill. If you are looking for a gluten free fried mozzarella without breadcrumbs, this is the perfect alternative. I serve it with fried polenta and porcini mushrooms.
    Grilled Scamorza cheese is the most stretchy, gooey, smoky, chewy and nutty cheese you can have. A spun-paste cheese made with cow's milk, Scamorza is similar to mozzarella. When grilled on a skillet, it forms a crispy crust outside while melting inside. It becomes stringy but remains firm, the perfect cheese to grill. If you are looking for a gluten free fried mozzarella without breadcrumbs, this is the perfect alternative. I serve it with fried polenta and porcini mushrooms.

    Grilled Scamorza cheese is the most stretchy, gooey, smoky, chewy and nutty cheese you can have. A spun-paste cheese made with cow's milk, Scamorza is similar to mozzarella. When grilled on a skillet, it forms a crispy crust outside while melting inside. It becomes stringy but remains firm, the perfect cheese to grill. If you are looking for a gluten free fried mozzarella without breadcrumbs, this is the perfect alternative. I serve it with fried polenta and porcini mushrooms.

    fried polenta with scamorza cheese and mushrooms
    Jump to:
    • What is Scamorza
    • How to use Scamorza
    • Grilled Scamorza cheese
    • Instructions
    • Variations on how to serve it
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • More cheese recipes
    • 📋 Grilled Scamorza Cheese

    What is Scamorza

    The scamorza is a spun-paste cow's milk cheese made in the South of Italy, where stretched curd cheeses are common.

    This cheese-making process is called filatura and it is similar to the mozzarella but with a firmer consistency. It looks and taste like a cured-aged mozzarella with a sweet nutty flavor. 

    Scamorza is small and with a round pear shape where the head is choked by a a binding straw thread.

    It can be fresh, matured, natural or smoked. 

    The smoked scamorza has a stronger smoky taste.

    Scamorza cheese, natural and smoked

    How to use Scamorza

    It is stretchy and chewy similar to the mozzarella but it doesn't release water when cooked. For this reason it is a great cheese to use as a filling for rice arancini, pizza, or meatloaf. 

    Especially the smoked one has a prominent flavor and it is best to use it in a rustic, decadent dish like for example this potato pie Gateau.

    Due to its strong flavor, it can be successfully combined with strong flavored vegetables like artichokes or mushrooms. For example you can find here the recipe for Pizza with Scamorza and artichokes, but you can use this same combination also for risotto or pasta.

    Similar cheeses to Scamorza are Provola and Caciocavallo. You can also use scamorza in tosted panini or served with eggs as (recipe coming soon).

    White Vegetable Pizza Toppings with Artichokes

    Grilled Scamorza cheese

    The best way to melt Scamorza cheese is on a skillet pan. The cheese forms a crusty crunchy crust surrounded by buttery juices.

    If you are not convinced yet, watch the video below, it will melt your heart with goodness.

    melted scamorza

    Instructions

    1. Cut the scamorza in slices 0.8 in - 2 cm thick
    2. Lay the slices over a hot skillet pan, no need for seasoning
    3. Once the slices start melting and they form a crust, turn them upside down
    4. Once they are melted serve them immediately

    Hint: If you prefer not to have a crunchy crust, melt the cheese at low heat and cover the pan with a lid

    Variations on how to serve it

    There are several ways to serve this grilled scamorza, all delicious:

    • Gluten free: Scamorza with fried Polenta and porcini mushrooms is the perfect combination for a gluten free meal
    • Pizza: Scamorza pizza with vegetables - simply replace mozzarella with scamorza. You can find in the blog the recipe of pizza with scamorza and fresh artichokes, but you can use any other types of vegetables you like.
    • Simple: grilled scamorza is also very good served with a crusty bread and a simple green salad or tomato and basil salad
    scamorza served with polenta and porcini

    Storage

    As most of fresh cheeses, fresh scamorza freezes well. Just defrost 1 or 2 hours before using it.

    There is really no point on freezing or storing melted scamorza. Once melted it should be served immediately.

    Cold melted scamorza has no right to exist.

    Top tip

    Use mild heat if you don't like the crunchy crust that the scamorza forms when melting.

    More cheese recipes

    For more recipes with cheese, here are some ideas:

    • Italian Cheese Bread
    • A Wide Selection of French Cheeses
    • Cheese Gougère Bourguignonne
    • Pizza toppings with Fresh Vegetables
    • Fried Pizza
    • Focaccia Pizza
    • Pasta Caprese Salad
    Caprese with gigantic mozzarella

    If you are making the Italian grilled scamorza cheese, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.

    Grilled scamorza cheese

    📋 Grilled Scamorza Cheese

    5 from 5 votes
    Laura Tobin
    Servings 2 people
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Print Recipe Save Saved! Pin Recipe
    Grilled Scamorza cheese is the most stretchy, gooey, smoky, chewy and nutty cheese you can have. A spun-paste cheese made with cow's milk, Scamorza is similar to mozzarella. When grilled on a skillet, it forms a crispy crust outside while melting inside. It becomes stringy but remains firm, the perfect cheese to grill. If you are looking for a gluten free fried mozzarella without breadcrumbs, this is the perfect alternative. I serve it with fried polenta and porcini mushrooms.
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Cutting board set
    • All-Clad Fry Pan

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 smoked scamorza
    • 1 natural scamorza

    Instructions
     

    Grilling the scamorza

    • Cut the scamorza in slices 0.8 in - 2 cm thick
      1 smoked scamorza, 1 natural scamorza
    • Lay the slices over a hot skillet pan, no need for seasoning
    • Once the slices start melting and they form a crust, turn them upside down
    • Once they are melted serve them immediately
    • Enjoy grilled scamorza with fried polenta and stir fried Porcini mushrooms

    Video

    Notes

    If you prefer not to have a crunchy crust, melt the cheese at low heat and cover the pan with a lid

    Nutrition

    Serving: 100gCalories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 7.2gProtein: 22.7gSaturated Fat: 6.28gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.85gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 137mgPotassium: 38mgSugar: 1gVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 392mgIron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!
    important notes on ingredients

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christina Shoemaker

      March 19, 2018 at 1:27 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, I wish I had this right now! I've never had anything like this before and I know I'd love all that gooey cheesey deliciousness!

      Reply
      • Laura

        March 19, 2018 at 1:46 pm

        You will love them

        Reply
    2. Sandhya Hariharan

      March 19, 2018 at 1:42 pm

      5 stars
      Wow.. Italian grilled cheese sounds like a perfect indulgence. I haven't tried them before.. So this is absolutely exciting.

      Reply
      • Laura

        March 19, 2018 at 1:47 pm

        You should, they are amazing

        Reply
    3. Danielle

      March 19, 2018 at 1:44 pm

      5 stars
      That cheese just made me drool a little. I love a grilled cheese and this sounds perfect!

      Reply
      • Laura

        March 19, 2018 at 1:47 pm

        If you love grilled cheese you will adore those

        Reply
    4. Ann

      March 19, 2018 at 1:49 pm

      5 stars
      WOW! I had no idea about these Italian grilled cheeses but that looks amazing!! I wonder if I could find those cheeses where I am. There is a large Italian community in Montreal so it's possible! Your descriptions were totally mouth-watering!

      Reply
      • Laura

        March 19, 2018 at 2:04 pm

        Thank you, yes you should be able to find them in an Italian food shop. They are very common in Italy, therefore, a good Italian food shop will have them.

        Reply
    5. Jill

      March 19, 2018 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      Wow - all that cheesy goodness is making me hungry!

      Reply
      • Laura

        March 19, 2018 at 2:11 pm

        I know, I had to have an early lunch as I was writing the post

        Reply
    5 from 5 votes

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    Laura Giunta Tobin

    Hi, I’m Laura. Welcome to my blog! While many talk about Italian food, I’ve lived it firsthand. Here, I share real Italian home cooking, just as it’s made in Italy. Won’t you join me?

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