Out of Provolone cheese, one case
Provolone cheese substitute
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Mozzarella cheese
Same amount as the Provolone cheese
The best provolone cheese substitutes are mozzarella (1:1 ratio), Swiss cheese (1:1), and Gouda (1:1). For Philly cheesesteaks, use mozzarella or Swiss. For baking, use mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
- Best for —
- Philly cheesesteaks
One casethe full Provolone card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of Provolone cheese |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mozzarella cheesePhilly cheesesteaks | Same amount |
| 2 | Swiss cheesePhilly cheesesteaks | Same amount |
| 3 | Gouda cheesesandwiches | Same amount |
| 4 | Monterey Jackbaking | Same amount |
| 5 | Fontina cheeseItalian dishes | Same amount |
| 6 | Havarti cheesesandwiches | Same amount |
| 7 | Vegan cheese (Miyoko's or Violife)vegan cooking | Same amount |
| 8 | Sharp Cheddarcasseroles | Same amount |
Mozzarella cheese
very similar · identical texture
The closest substitute with nearly identical flavor and melting properties
- Best for
- Philly cheesesteaks, pizza, sandwiches, baking, melting applications
Good 1:1 substitute. Slightly milder flavor but identical texture and melting behavior.
Swiss cheese
different but complementary · similar texture
Excellent melting cheese with mild, nutty flavor
- Best for
- Philly cheesesteaks, sandwiches, casseroles, fondue, grilled cheese
Slightly different flavor profile but excellent melting properties. Great for hot sandwiches.
Gouda cheese
slightly different · similar texture
Mild, creamy cheese with excellent melting properties
- Best for
- sandwiches, baking, casseroles, snacking, cheese boards
Slightly sweeter than provolone but melts beautifully. Great for both cooking and eating raw.
Monterey Jack
very similar · identical texture
Mild, creamy cheese good for melting
- Best for
- baking, Mexican dishes, casseroles, sandwiches, quesadillas
Very similar to provolone in both flavor and texture. Excellent melting cheese.
Fontina cheese
more complex · similar texture
Italian cheese with complex flavor and excellent melting
- Best for
- Italian dishes, fondue, risotto, pasta dishes, gourmet sandwiches
More complex flavor than provolone but similar texture. Good for Italian cooking.
Havarti cheese
slightly different · similar texture
Danish cheese with mild, buttery flavor
- Best for
- sandwiches, baking, casseroles, cheese boards, snacking
Slightly more buttery than provolone but melts beautifully. Great for both cooking and eating.
Vegan cheese (Miyoko's or Violife)
different but acceptable
Plant-based alternative with good melting properties
- Best for
- vegan cooking, dairy-free diets, sandwiches, pizza, baking
- Texture
- similar when melted
Quality varies by brand. Look for brands specifically designed for melting.
Sharp Cheddar
much stronger · similar texture
Bolder flavor but good melting properties
- Best for
- casseroles, mac and cheese, baked dishes, grilled cheese, soups
Much stronger flavor than provolone. Use when you want more cheese flavor.
How it behaves in this recipe
- Philly cheesesteak
- Mozzarella or Swiss work best - they melt quickly and create the good stringy texture
- Baking
- Choose cheeses that melt smoothly without separating - mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Gouda
- Sandwiches
- Any mild cheese works for cold sandwiches; for hot sandwiches, use mozzarella or Swiss
- Pizza
- Mozzarella is the traditional choice and works well as a provolone substitute
- Casseroles
- Use cheeses that melt well and don't separate - mozzarella, Swiss, or Gouda
- Vegan cooking
- Look for vegan cheeses specifically designed for melting applications
Tips for substituting Provolone cheese
8 tips- For Philly cheesesteaks, mozzarella or Swiss work best - they melt quickly and evenly
- When baking, choose cheeses that melt smoothly without separating
- For cold sandwiches, any mild cheese works well as a provolone substitute
- Provolone melts at 130°F - most substitutes melt at similar temperatures
- For authentic Italian dishes, use mozzarella or fontina as provolone substitutes
- Shredded cheese melts faster and more evenly than sliced cheese
- Let cheese come to room temperature before melting for best results
- For vegan options, look for brands specifically designed for melting applications
Notes on Provolone cheese
- For a more complex flavor, try fontina or aged Gouda
- For a sharper taste, use sharp cheddar or aged Swiss
- For a creamier texture, try Havarti or Brie
- For Italian authenticity, use mozzarella di bufala or burrata
- For a nutty flavor, try Gruyère or Comté
- For a milder option, use young Gouda or Edam
Questions
8 questionsWhat's the best provolone substitute for Philly cheesesteaks?
Mozzarella is the best provolone substitute for Philly cheesesteaks. It melts quickly, has a similar mild flavor, and creates the good stringy texture. Swiss cheese is also excellent and adds a slightly nutty flavor.
Can I substitute mozzarella for provolone?
Yes, mozzarella is an excellent 1:1 substitute for provolone. It has a very similar flavor profile and identical melting properties. The main difference is that mozzarella is slightly milder in flavor.
What cheese can I substitute for provolone in baking?
For baking, the best provolone substitutes are mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Gouda. These cheeses melt smoothly without separating and have similar mild flavors that work well in baked dishes.
Is provolone a good substitute for mozzarella?
Yes, provolone can work as a substitute for mozzarella, though it has a slightly more complex flavor. Both cheeses melt well and have similar textures, making them largely interchangeable in most recipes.
What's the best provolone substitute for sandwiches?
For cold sandwiches, Swiss cheese, Gouda, or Havarti work well as provolone substitutes. For hot sandwiches, mozzarella or Swiss are best because they melt quickly and evenly.
Can I substitute Swiss cheese for provolone?
Yes, Swiss cheese is an excellent provolone substitute. It has a slightly different flavor (more nutty) but similar texture and melting properties. Use a 1:1 ratio.
What's the best provolone substitute for pizza?
Mozzarella is the best provolone substitute for pizza. It has similar melting properties and mild flavor. You can also use a combination of mozzarella and Swiss for more complex flavor.
Can I substitute provolone for Parmesan?
Provolone and Parmesan are very different cheeses. Provolone is mild and melts well, while Parmesan is hard, salty, and doesn't melt the same way. For melting applications, use mozzarella instead of provolone. For grating, use actual Parmesan.