Cook's Illustrated

The Perfect Cheese Omelet

Published May 1, 2001.

Melting the cheese without overcooking the eggs is just one problem we solved in producing an almost foolproof recipe for a moist, creamy cheese omelet.

The Problem

Omelets seem simple, but cooking the eggs properly in a hot pan can be a delicate matter. Add cheese, which must melt before the omelet turns brown and rubbery, and you've got a truly temperamental dish on your hands.

The Goal

We wanted a foolproof cooking method for a creamy, supple omelet with perfectly melted cheese that didn't leak all over the pan.

The Solution

Use a good-quality nonstick skillet, cook the eggs with an on-burner/off-burner technique, grate an easy-melting cheese, and shape the omelet with the sides of the pan and a heat-resistant rubber spatula.

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