Mozzarella is a beloved ingredient in countless dishes, known for its stretchy texture and mild, milky flavour. Whether it’s topping a pizza, melting in a lasagne or served fresh in a Caprese Salad, Mozzarella plays a central role in many culinary delights. However, there are times when you might need an alternative. Read on for our best substitutes for Mozzarella.
SEE ALSO: Why Mozzarella is America’s most popular cheese →
What is Mozzarella?
Mozzarella cheese originated in Italy and is traditionally made from buffalo or cow’s milk. Its signature features include a soft, stretchy texture when melted and a mild, slightly tangy taste.
Mozzarella comes in various forms, including fresh Mozzarella (usually stored in brine) and low-moisture Mozzarella (more commercial version).
Why might you need a substitute for Mozzarella?
Several reasons can prompt the need for substitutes for Mozzarella:
1. Dietary restrictions: Individuals with severe lactose intolerance may seek lower lactose options.
2. Flavour variations: Experimenting with different flavours and textures in recipes can lead to exciting culinary discoveries.
3. Availability: In some regions, high quality fresh Mozzarella varieties may be challenging to find.
Best substitutes for Mozzarella cheese
Now, let’s explore ten of the best substitutes for Mozzarella
1. Provolone Dolce (low lactose option)
Let’s start our journey with Provolone Dolce, a semi-soft Italian pasta filata cheese.
As a direct substitute for Mozzarella, it brings its unique qualities to the table. This cheese boasts a mild, buttery flavour and a creamy, slightly tangy profile, making it a versatile addition to a variety of dishes.
Provolone Dolce excels in melting beautifully, making it an excellent choice for recipes that require the gooey, stringy goodness characteristic of Mozzarella.
Whether you’re using it to top a homemade pizza, elevate a sandwich, or create a comforting pasta dish, Provolone Dolce’s smooth and creamy nature can add a subtle twist to your culinary creations, making them both delicious and memorable.
You can read more about why Provolone is Italy’s most versatile cheese in our post here.
2. Fior di Latte
Next, we have the heir-apparent to Mozzarella’s throne, Fior di Latte. This Italian pasta filata’s name translates to “flower of milk” and it is a cow’s milk cheese that shares many similarities with Mozzarella.
Around Italy, and the world, this cheese is celebrated for its creamy, slightly sweet flavour and tender, stretchy texture.
It’s often used in various Italian dishes like pizzas, salads and pasta, where its gentle milky taste can add a touch of elegance. Fior di Latte’s ability to become beautifully melty when heated makes it an excellent choice for recipes that call for the soft, gooey characteristics of Mozzarella.
So, when Mozzarella isn’t an option, Fior di Latte can step in, infusing your culinary creations with a creamy, fresh twist that’s both delicious and delightful.
3. Bocconcini
Next on our list of Mozzarella alternatives we have Bocconcini. Bocconcini are small, fresh Mozzarella cheese balls that offer a delightful alternative when you’re looking for a twist on traditional Mozzarella.
While these bite-sized cheese wonders may not replace Mozzarella entirely, they bring their own charm to the table. With their creamy texture and mild, milky flavouB, bocconcini are perfect for adding a playful touch to salads, appetisers or even as a topping for pizzas and pasta dishes.
Moreover, their petite size makes them a convenient choice for quick and easy meal preparations. While they won’t provide the same meltiness as shredded Mozzarella, Bocconcini’s delightful, creamy profile and convenient form make them a versatile and delicious option.
Also, these small, fresh Mozzarella balls work well in Caprese salads, on pizzas, or as a snack with cherry tomatoes and basil.
4. Straciatella di Bufala
Stracciatella di Bufala is a creamy and decadent Italian cheese renowned for its luxurious texture and delightful taste.
This fresh cheese is crafted by hand by gently pulling apart the curd of Mozzarella and combining it with fresh cream. The result is a creamy, stringy, and soft cheese with a lusciously mild, milky flavour.
Stracciatella is perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to salads, sandwiches or as a topping for pizzas and pasta dishes. Its exceptional melt-in-your-mouth quality and rich taste make it a unique and delightful addition to your culinary creations.
5. Burrata
Burrata is a velvety, indulgent Italian cheese that deviates from the traditional Mozzarella but is worth every delicious bite.
It consists of a delicate outer skin made from fresh Mozzarella, encapsulating a creamy, almost liquid centre, typically filled with a mixture of fresh cream and Stracciatella.
While it’s not a direct substitute for Mozzarella due to its unique composition, Burrata can add a luxurious twist to various dishes. Its rich, milky interior provides an exquisite contrast to salads, pizzas and pastas, making it an exceptional choice for those seeking an elevated and creamy cheese experience in their recipes.
Whether paired with fresh tomatoes and basil or drizzled with olive oil, Burrata is a culinary delight that can transform ordinary dishes into extraordinary ones.
6. Scamorza
Scamorza, another Italian semi-soft pasta filata cheese, is a flavourful departure from traditional Mozzarella that offers its own unique culinary contributions.
Thanks to the smoking process during its production, Scamorza brings a distinctive smoky twist to dishes. Unsurprisingly, Scamorza is renowned for its slightly smoky, nutty flavour and its meltability, making it an excellent choice for various recipes, including pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.
When melted, it develops a golden, gooey consistency that can elevate your dishes to new heights. So, when you’re seeking a cheese that adds a hint of smokiness and complexity to your culinary creations, Scamorza steps in as an intriguing alternative to Mozzarella.
7. Fontina (low lactose option)
Hailing from northwestern Italy, Fontina provides a delectable alternative to traditional Mozzarella cheese, infusing your dishes with a unique and delightful flavour profile.
While it isn’t an exact substitute, it brings its own distinct qualities to the table. This semi-soft pressed uncooked cheese is celebrated for its creamy texture and mild, nutty taste. It is excellent for melting, which makes it a fantastic choice for recipes requiring the smooth, gooey consistency of Mozzarella.
Whether used to top sandwiches, garnish casseroles, or enhance your favourite pasta dishes, Fontina’s smooth, buttery character adds depth and richness to your culinary creations.
So, when you’re seeking a cheese that offers a subtle nutty twist and exceptional meltability, Fontina steps in as a flavourful and versatile alternative.
8. Asiago Fresco (low lactose option)
The final Italian cheese on our list is Asiago. Originating from Italy’s Asiago plateau, Asiago can be a flavourful alternative to mozzarella in various dishes.
Asiago is available as a young Fresco or an aged d’Allevo. If you want to replicate the texture of Mozzarella, we recommend that you use Asiago Fresco. This young version presents a softer texture and mild creamy flavour.
Without a doubt, using Asiago as a substitute infuses dishes with a distinct, rich flavour profile, ideal for recipes welcoming a slight deviation from traditional Mozzarella.
So, consider Asiago as a delightful alternative when you want to add depth to your culinary creations.
9. Oaxaca (regional option)
For the last two cheeses on our list, we venture beyond the borders of Italy.
Oaxaca cheese, originating from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, offers a unique and flavourful alternative to Mozzarella in certain dishes. This traditional pasta filata cheese is known for its excellent melting properties, making it a fantastic choice for recipes that require Mozzarella’s smooth, gooey texture.
With a mild, slightly savoury taste, it can add a subtle twist to your culinary creations. So, when you’re looking for a cheese that can provide excellent meltability and a touch of Mexican flair, consider Oaxaca cheese as a delightful alternative to traditional Mozzarella.
10. Chechil (regional option)
Finally, we have Chechil, a string cheese originating from the Caucasus region.
Chechil cheese is known for its distinctive texture, with long, braided strings that resemble a tangle of shoelaces. This cheese is often used for its fun presentation and chewy texture, making it suitable for snacking or garnishing dishes.
With a mild, slightly salty taste, it can add a playful twist to your culinary creations. So, when you’re looking for a cheese that can provide an intriguing texture and a touch of novelty, consider Chechil cheese as a delightful alternative to traditional Mozzarella.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Mozzarella is a culinary staple, there are plenty of substitutes to explore when circumstances call for it.
These substitutes offer various flavours and textures, allowing you to adapt your recipes and discover new taste sensations.
Whether you’re accommodating dietary needs or simply seeking culinary adventure, these ten substitutes for Mozzarella are worth trying in your favourite dishes.
So, the next time you find yourself without Mozzarella, don’t hesitate to reach for one of these fantastic options. Your taste buds will thank you!
Jonah is a a hipster, eco-warrior and slow food afficionado. Coming from a scientific background, Jonah has a particular interest in cheese science. And yes, he loves a good cheese pun!
