Restaurants›CJ Mahoney's Troy›Add Cheese Recipe

Add Cheese Recipe

Inspired by CJ Mahoney's Troy

Time20m

Serves4

Make Add Cheese Recipe in just 20m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Cheese and finishing

1 cups Shredded cheddar cheese1/2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese2 tbs Grated Parmesan cheese1/4 tsp Freshly ground black pepper1 tbs Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Base (for context and serving)

4 cups Prepared hot pasta, casserole, or baked dish1 tbs Butter or olive oil (for dotting or brushing)

Method

Prepare base

Preheat

If your recipe will be finished in the oven (baked pasta, casserole, gratin), preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). If topping a hot skillet or microwaved dish, you can skip oven preheat and finish on stove or microwave.

Make sure the base (pasta, casserole, etc.) is hot and in an oven-safe or serving dish. If necessary, drain excess liquid — a slightly saucy base is fine, but avoid one swimming in liquid so the cheese will melt evenly.

If desired, brush or dot the surface lightly with the butter or olive oil to help the cheese brown and prevent sticking.

Add cheeses

Combine the shredded cheddar and shredded mozzarella in a small bowl and mix so the two cheeses are distributed evenly. This balances sharpness and meltiness.

Evenly sprinkle the blended cheddar and mozzarella over the hot base so a thin, uniform layer covers the surface. Aim for about 1 cup total cheese for 4 cups of base for a noticeable but not overwhelming topping; adjust up or down to taste.

Sprinkle the grated Parmesan evenly over the shredded cheeses. Parmesan adds saltiness and promotes browning.

Season lightly with freshly ground black pepper. If your base is already well-salted, avoid adding extra salt until after tasting.

Melt and finish

If using the oven: place the dish in the preheated oven on the middle rack. Bake for 8–12 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. For a browned top, switch the oven to broil for 1–2 minutes while watching closely to avoid burning.

If using a stovetop: cover the skillet or pan with a lid and reduce heat to low. Steam will melt the cheese in 2–4 minutes. Remove the lid and let any excess moisture evaporate for the final minute.

If using a microwave: microwave on high in 20–30 second bursts, checking after each burst, until the cheese melts (usually 30–60 seconds total depending on power).

Once the cheese is melted and has reached your desired color, remove from heat. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top, if using, for color and freshness. Let rest 2–3 minutes so the cheese sets slightly before serving.