The Best Italian Grilled Scamorza Cheese

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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

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.