Out of Mozzarella cheese, one case
Mozzarella cheese substitutes, case by case
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Provolone
Same amount as the mozzarella cheese
The best mozzarella cheese substitutes are Provolone, Monterey Jack, and Fontina. Use 1:1 ratio and follow these techniques for optimal results in any recipe.
- Best for —
- pizza
One casethe full mozzarella cheese card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of mozzarella cheese |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Provolonepizza | Same amount |
| 2 | Monterey Jackpizza | Same amount |
| 3 | Fontinapizza | Same amount |
| 4 | Goudapizza | Same amount |
| 5 | Cheddar cheesepizza | Same amount |
| 6 | String cheesepizza | Same amount |
Provolone
mild, slightly smoky · similar texture
Italian cheese with excellent melting properties and mild, slightly smoky flavor. Good for most mozzarella applications and creates beautiful golden brown topping.
- Best for
- pizza, lasagna, pasta dishes, baked dishes, when you want Italian flavor, melting applications
Provolone melts beautifully and has similar texture to mozzarella. Use in equal amounts by volume. Good for most mozzarella applications.
Monterey Jack
mild, creamy · similar texture
Mild, creamy cheese with excellent melting properties. Similar texture to mozzarella and works well in most applications.
- Best for
- pizza, lasagna, pasta dishes, baked dishes, when you want mild flavor, melting applications
Monterey Jack has similar melting properties to mozzarella. Use in equal amounts by volume. Works well in most mozzarella applications.
Fontina
mild, nutty · similar texture
Italian cheese with nutty flavor and excellent melting properties. Creates creamy, smooth texture good for most mozzarella applications.
- Best for
- pizza, lasagna, pasta dishes, baked dishes, when you want creamy texture, melting applications
Fontina melts smoothly and creates creamy texture. Use in equal amounts by volume. Ideal for most mozzarella applications.
Gouda
nutty, slightly sweet · similar texture
Dutch cheese with nutty, slightly sweet flavor and excellent melting properties. Creates creamy, smooth texture good for most mozzarella applications.
- Best for
- pizza, lasagna, pasta dishes, baked dishes, when you want nutty flavor, melting applications
Gouda melts smoothly and creates creamy texture. Use in equal amounts by volume. Ideal for most mozzarella applications.
Cheddar cheese
sharp, tangy · similar texture
Sharp, tangy cheese with good melting properties. Adds bold flavor to dishes and creates golden brown topping.
- Best for
- pizza, lasagna, pasta dishes, baked dishes, when you want bold flavor, melting applications
Cheddar adds bold flavor to dishes. Use in equal amounts by volume. Works well for most mozzarella applications.
String cheese
mild, similar · similar texture
Similar cheese with stringy texture and mild flavor. Good for most mozzarella applications and creates authentic stringy texture.
- Best for
- pizza, lasagna, pasta dishes, baked dishes, when you want stringy texture, melting applications
String cheese has similar texture to mozzarella and melts well. Use in equal amounts by volume. Good for most mozzarella applications.
How it behaves in this recipe
When choosing mozzarella cheese substitutes, the goal is to replicate the melting properties, texture, and mild flavor of mozzarella using alternative cheeses. The recommended substitutes work because they provide similar functionality to mozzarella in most cooking applications.
Tips for substituting mozzarella cheese
10 tips- For best results, grate cheese fresh for optimal melting and flavor
- Bring cheese to room temperature before using for better melting
- Add cheese gradually to hot dishes to prevent clumping
- Use pasta water to help cheese melt smoothly into sauces
- For baked dishes, cover with foil for first part of baking, then uncover for golden brown topping
- Let baked dishes rest before serving for clean slices
- For authentic Italian dishes, use provolone or fontina
- For mild flavor, use monterey jack or string cheese
- For bold flavor, use cheddar cheese
- Mix different cheeses for complex flavor profiles
Notes on mozzarella cheese
- Mix different cheeses for complex flavor profiles
- Use cheese blends for different texture and flavor combinations
- Layer different cheeses for varied taste and texture throughout dishes
- Use fresh herbs and spices to enhance cheese flavor
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best substitute for mozzarella cheese?
The best substitutes for mozzarella cheese are Provolone, Monterey Jack, and Fontina. They have similar melting properties and texture that work well in most mozzarella applications.
What's the best ratio for mozzarella substitute?
For most mozzarella substitutes, use 1:1 ratio. This ensures proper melting and flavor balance while maintaining the characteristics you want in your dish.
Why doesn't my mozzarella substitute work properly?
Common issues include using cold cheese, incorrect ratios, or choosing the wrong type. To fix this, bring cheese to room temperature, measure carefully, and choose melting-friendly alternatives.
Can I use string cheese instead of mozzarella?
Yes, string cheese is actually very similar to mozzarella and works well in most applications. It melts well and creates the authentic stringy texture that's good for many dishes.
What's the best cheese for melting like mozzarella?
For melting like mozzarella, provolone, monterey jack, and fontina work best as they have excellent melting properties and create smooth, creamy texture.