Out of Mozzarella cheese, one case
Mozzarella cheese substitutes for pizza
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Provolone
Same amount as the mozzarella cheese
For pizza, the best mozzarella cheese substitutes are Provolone, Monterey Jack, and Fontina. Use 1:1 ratio and follow these pizza-specific techniques for optimal results.
- 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 | Cheddar cheesepizza | Same amount |
| 5 | Swiss cheesepizza | Same amount |
| 6 | Vegan mozzarellavegan pizza | Same amount |
Provolone
mild, slightly smoky · similar texture
Italian cheese with mild, slightly smoky flavor. Excellent melting properties and similar texture to mozzarella. Good for pizza applications.
- Best for
- pizza, baked dishes, when you want smoky flavor, melting applications, italian dishes
Provolone has excellent melting properties and similar texture to mozzarella. Use in equal amounts by volume. Ideal for pizza applications.
Monterey Jack
mild, creamy · similar texture
Mild, creamy cheese with excellent melting properties. Similar texture to mozzarella. Good for pizza applications.
- Best for
- pizza, baked dishes, when you want mild flavor, melting applications, creamy texture
Monterey Jack has excellent melting properties and similar texture to mozzarella. Use in equal amounts by volume. Works well in pizza applications.
Fontina
mild, nutty · similar texture
Italian cheese with mild, nutty flavor and excellent melting properties. Similar texture to mozzarella. Good for pizza applications.
- Best for
- pizza, baked dishes, when you want nutty flavor, melting applications, creamy texture
Fontina has excellent melting properties and similar texture to mozzarella. Use in equal amounts by volume. Ideal for pizza applications.
Cheddar cheese
sharp, tangy · similar texture
Sharp, tangy cheese with good melting properties. Different flavor profile but works well in pizza applications.
- Best for
- pizza, baked dishes, when you want sharp flavor, melting applications, tangy flavor
Cheddar has good melting properties but different flavor than mozzarella. Use in equal amounts by volume. Works well in pizza applications.
Swiss cheese
nutty, slightly sweet · similar texture
Semi-hard cheese with nutty, slightly sweet flavor. Good melting properties and similar texture to mozzarella. Good for pizza applications.
- Best for
- pizza, baked dishes, when you want nutty flavor, melting applications, sweet flavor
Swiss cheese has good melting properties and similar texture to mozzarella. Use in equal amounts by volume. Works well in pizza applications.
Vegan mozzarella
similar, plant-based · similar texture
Plant-based alternative with similar melting properties to mozzarella. Made from nuts or soy. Good for vegan pizza applications.
- Best for
- vegan pizza, dairy-free pizza, when you want plant-based, melting applications
Vegan mozzarella has similar melting properties to mozzarella. Use in equal amounts by volume. Ideal for vegan pizza applications.
How it behaves in this recipe
When making pizza, mozzarella cheese serves specific functions that require careful consideration. The recommended substitutes work because they provide similar functionality to mozzarella in pizza applications.
Tips for substituting mozzarella cheese
10 tips- For pizza, temperature control is crucial - cheese should be grated and at room temperature
- Timing matters in pizza - cheese substitutes may affect melting time
- The key to successful pizza with substitutes is following proper technique
- Common pizza mistakes to avoid: using cold cheese, incorrect measurements, overmixing
- For best pizza results, follow instructions carefully and be patient
- Always grate cheese substitutes fresh for best melting
- For smoky flavor, use provolone cheese
- For mild flavor, use monterey jack or fontina
- For sharp flavor, use cheddar cheese
- For vegan pizza, use vegan mozzarella
Notes on mozzarella cheese
- Different techniques that achieve the same pizza result
- Alternative methods for working around pizza limitations
Questions
4 questionsCan I use provolone instead of mozzarella for pizza?
Yes, provolone is an excellent substitute for mozzarella in pizza. It has similar melting properties and texture that works well in pizza applications.
What's the best ratio for mozzarella substitute in pizza?
For pizza, use 1:1 ratio for most substitutes. This ensures proper functionality while maintaining the pizza characteristics you want.
Why doesn't my pizza turn out right with mozzarella substitutes?
Common issues include using cold cheese, incorrect ratios, or overmixing. To fix this, bring cheese to room temperature, measure carefully, and mix just until combined.
Can I use cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella for pizza?
Yes, cheddar cheese can work for pizza, though it has a different flavor. It has good melting properties and works well in pizza applications.