Mozarella is the unripened cheese made originally from buffalo milk that belongs to a class of Pasta filata. It is white, soft cheese with a glossy surface.
It is lightly salted and has unique stretchability, melting, elasticity, free-oil formation, and browning properties. Therefore, it is used for preparing lasagna, veal cutlets, and pizza topping.
Sometimes, you may run out of Mozarella cheese, or it does not suit your taste preference. In such cases, this article may help you find the best replacement for Mozarella cheese.
11 Best Substitutes for Mozarella Cheese
If you are looking for a replacement for Mozzarella, then you must consider the recipe for it is required as some recipes may need an alternative that melts well, whereas others may need a soft cheese for a delicate flavor.
This section explores different substitutes for Mozarella cheese and may differ depending on the recipe and taste preference.
Provolone
Provolone is a cow’s milk cheese that is versatile and used in sandwiches, baked pasta, and pizza. It is a plastic curd cheese like Mozzarella and is often used as its substitute.
It has a sharper, tangier flavor compared to Mozarella. However, it has more calories and fat content.
It goes through an aging process and has a lesser moisture content (39-50%) than Mozzarella. However, like Mozzarella, it belongs to the Pasta filata family and therefore, has the same stretchy, stringy, and rubbery feel.
Summary
Provolone is a close relative of Mozzarella cheese that has a sharper and tangier flavor. However, it has more calorie count than mozzarella cheese.
White Cheddar
White cheddar is a semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk and originated in the southwestern country of Somerset. It has a mellow, rich flavor and is cured for a long time. The flavor becomes intense and crumbly with age.
White cheddar may be used as a substitute for Mozzarella as it melts easily like Mozzarella. However, like Mozzarella, cheddar cheese does not give stringy cheese as it has low elasticity when melted. It may be used for pizza and lasagna.
Summary
Mild white cheddar may be used as a substitute for Mozzarella as it has a nice flavor. However, it does not have the same stringy consistency.
Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese is prepared from cow’s milk with holes or eyes throughout the cheese with a maximum of 41% moisture. It is low in sodium, lactose, and people with lactose intolerance may tolerate a moderate portion.
Swiss cheese is mild in flavor and creamy in texture. It is nutty and sweet, more flavourful than Mozzarella. It can melt easily, becoming creamy. It can be substituted for Mozarella in pizza, lasagna, and other dishes.
Summary
Swiss cheese is nutty cheese that melts into a creamy consistency and may be substituted for Mozzarella. However, it is not readily available to everyone.
Gouda
Gouda is a semi-hard dutch cheese that comes in several types depending on its age. It has a very distinct mild and nutty flavor. It is made from cow’s milk.
Like Mozzarella, Gouda can be melted with a moisture content of 39%. Higher intensities of smoothness characterize younger Gouda cheeses. Therefore, it may be used as a substitute for Mozzarella on pizza, lasagna, and salads.
Summary
Gouda is a fairly mild cheese that may substitute Mozzarella in pizza and lasagna due to its meltability property. However, it has low moisture content than Mozzarella.
Oaxaco
Oaxaca is Hispanic-style cheese made from cow’s milk. It is widely used in Mexican dishes that require melting.
It is a semi-soft, white, string-type cheese that may be used as a substitute for Mozarella cheese. It has a mild, earthy flavor
Like Mozzarella cheese, it belongs to Pasta filata and is great for melting. It holds its shape until baking, roasting, or grilling and then becomes soft and stringy. Therefore, it can be used for pizza and lasagna.
Summary
Oaxaco is a Mexican cheese that is semi-hard and has stringy consistency like Mozarella cheese. It may be substituted for Mozzarella. However, it is not readily available.
Edam
Edam is a Dutch-type semi-hard cheese with a minimum fat content of 40% by weight of the solids. It is made from pasteurized cow’s milk and is sliceable and shreddable.
It has a mild flavor that sharpens with age. It has a melting capacity with a maximum moisture content of 45%. The subtle flavors and meltability make a suitable substitute for Mozzarella in pizza and lasagna.
Summary
Edam is a semi-hard cheese with subtle flavors and meltability, making it a suitable replacement for Mozzarella.
Jarlsberg
Jarlsberg is a mild cow’s milk cheese that has origin in Norway back in 1950. It is used both for cooking and eating as a snack.
Jarlsberg has mild nuttiness. It is chewy when melted and becomes sweeter when heated. It gives a new depth of flavor to dishes. It is incredibly stretchy and may substitute Mozzarella. It is also suitable for lactose-intolerant people.
Summary
Jarlsberg is a type of soft cheese that has a buttery flavor, meltability, and stretchiness. Therefore, it may substitute Mozzarella for gratins, burgers, quesadillas, and sandwiches.
Feta
Feta is a soft cheese of Greece originally made from goat or sheep milk. It is an excellent source of calcium and protein.
Both feta and Mozzarella are soft cheeses with a 50-80% moisture content but have different flavors. Feta has a pretty strong flavor with a longer melting time. Also, it has lower fat content compared to Mozzarella. Therefore, it may be a good substitute for Mozarella.
Summary
Feta is a brined soft cheese that may be a healthier substitute for Mozarella. However, it shouldn’t be used as much as Mozzarella as it has a stronger taste.
Havarti
Havarti is Danish semi-soft cheese that has a buttery aroma and taste. It is very versatile that can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It has a typical fat content of 45-55%.
Havarti is softer than other semi-hard varieties. It has a buttery flavor with a sharp taste depending on aging that almost goes with everything. They melt easily with an elastic texture.
Summary
The Danish easy-melting cheese, Havarti, has a mild aroma and buttery flavor. It may be substituted for Mozzarella.
Fontina
Fontina is a semi-hard cheese that originated in Italy like Mozzarella. It has a tough rind with few holes in the interior made from cow’s milk.
It has a mild flavor but distinctively nutty and savory with aging. It melts well and becomes creamy. However, it does not stretch well and is expensive than Mozzarella.
Summary
Fontina may be a substitute for Mozzarella because of its mild flavor and melting quality. It may not be the first choice as it is expensive and non-stretchable.
Ricotta
Ricotta is originally made from the whey of sheep’s milk cheese, and therefore, is called recooked in Italian. It contains less salt and fat.
It has a milder and sweeter taste with a slightly grainy texture. Like Mozzarella, it does not melt but gets softened and creamy. It does not stretch. But, it may substitute Mozzarella because of its milder flavor.
Summary
Ricotta is another healthier alternative to Mozzarella to top pizza or crumble into pasta. It may not melt but does become extremely soft and creamy that goes well in dishes.
FAQs
Some of Mozzarella cheese’s essential properties are spreadability, meltability to a uniform consistency, and fat leakage. It is also known for its stretchability to form fibrous strands, browning, and blistering making it ideal on pizza.
Parmesan is a very hard cheese with a maximum water content of 34%. Therefore, it does not melt well like Mozzarella. Also, it has a sharp, distinct flavor and so may give a different taste and texture if substituted for Mozzarella.
Bottom Line
Mozarella is a soft nutrient-rich cheese with a mild flavor that makes many dishes taste good. There are quite a few substitutes for Mozzarella, depending on the recipe and functionality. You may choose a replacement with similar consistency and flavor to achieve the same results as Mozzarella.