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Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Recipe

Make fresh, homemade mozzarella cheese for a fraction of the cost with no added preservatives or additives.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 8
Calories: 292 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 gallon whole milk not ultra pasteurized
  • 1/2 rennet tablet
  • 2 teaspoons citric acid
  • 1 teaspoon cheese salt
  • 1/4 cup water
  • olive oil for drizzling

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Start by dissolving rennet in 1/4 cup water. Then pour milk into a large non-reactive pot. Place the thermometer in the pan and secure to the side.
  2. Sprinkle citric acid powder over top, store the remainder for later use. Stir dissolved rennet into milk. Stir for one minute. Heat milk to 90 degrees and hold steady at that temp. This was a little more challenging with an electric cooktop than gas, but I got it to work! Do not heat over 90 degrees.
  3. After 5-10 minutes, milk will start to separate, cheese curds from whey. Cheese curds will be a silky, gelatin-like substance. Whey is a liquidy, yellow substance, look around the edge in the picture. Using a large knife, cut curd into a checkerboard pattern with squares equaling 1×1 inches.
  4. Continue to heat milk mixture to 110 degrees for 10 minutes. Be mindful that it does not go over 110 degrees. Cheese will continue to separate.
  5. Line a colander with cheese cloth. Pour mixture into colander to drain. Dump cheese curds into a microwave-safe dish. Discard whey.
  6. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Drain off the whey. Wearing plastic gloves to combat the heat, knead and stretch for 30 seconds. Heat on high for an additional 30 seconds or until it reaches 135 degrees. Curds will be really hot.
  7. Add cheese salt. Wearing plastic gloves will prevent some of the heat from scalding your hands. As much as you can, knead the dough like you would bread. Start to pull and stretch. It might not be stretchy like silly putty, but it will still be okay. Continue to knead and stretch until it is one mass and not falling apart.
  8. Mold into a large ball or smaller bowls and wrap in plastic wrap or submerge in ice water. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
  9. Slice and serve! Enjoy your Homemade Mozzarella Cheese. Cheese will stay fresh for up to a week in the refrigerator, keep covered with salty brine water.
  10. If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the ratings or comments!

Nutrition Information

Calories 292kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 15g (30%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Cholesterol 47mg (16%) Sodium 495mg (21%) Potassium 625mg (18%) Sugar 24g (48%) Vitamin A 767IU (15%) Calcium 535mg (54%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 292

% Daily Value*

Calories 292kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 15g 30%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 47mg 16%
Sodium 495mg 21%
Potassium 625mg 13%
Sugar 24g 48%
Vitamin A 767IU 15%
Calcium 535mg 54%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.