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How do I keep parmesan cheese from sticking together when I add it to a homemade tomato sauce?

The last two times I have tried this recipe, the parmesan cheese will not melt into the tomato sauce--it just turns into a big ball of cheese! I am using one cup of shaved parmesan. Should I add it to the tomato sauce when it is boiling or wait for it to cool off? Should the cheese be room temperature? Please let me know, I am trying it again tomorrow. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. Good start using shaved parm! Fine grated from the block is best, use a stravecchio (long aged) parm, it tends to work best. Heat your sauce to boiling and remove from heat, then add your fine grated parm. Good luck!!
2. you could try freeze dried or just do what everyone else does and add it afterwards...
3. Add it just before it is served. Other than that,it probably won't work, Parmesan doesn't melt as good as some cheeses.
4. Maybe you should just sprinkle it over the top after it's in the serving bowl.
5. I would try grating it as fine as you can and adding it slowly when the sauce is simmering
6. You aren't adding it correctly. NEVER add cheese to boiling anything! The shaved parm is fine. When your sauce is simmering on low or med-low, SLOWLY add a very small amount of cheese and stir constantly. You are getting a "ball" because you are adding to much. Add a sprinkle and stir until its incorporated, then repeat until all the cheese is added. Good luck.
7. Sprinkle in small amounts at a time, OFF THE HEAT!!! You'll have enough residual heat no problem, you just risk turning the cheese grainy.
8. Add it slowly to the sauce. Let it melt into the sauce. No more than a couple of Tablespoonful's at a time.
9. well it turns into a big ball of cheese cus it is one! one cup is a lot of cheese. once you have cooked the sauce stir it with the pasta then sprinkle some chease on each of the seperate plates to serve don't add the cheese to the sauce while boiling unless you want a cheesy tomato sauce! which will just be big lumps of cheese.
10. What kind of sauce are you making? I have never heard of adding parmesan cheese to home made tomato sauce...