Havarti cheese is known for its smooth, creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor. It melts beautifully, making it a go-to for everything from grilled cheese sandwiches and pasta bakes to cheese platters.
Because of its mild yet slightly tangy taste, it blends well with other ingredients without overpowering them.
But what if you don’t have Havarti on hand? Whether it’s missing from the store shelves or you’re just looking for something different, plenty of other cheeses can take its place.
Some substitutes provide a similarly smooth melt, while others bring a touch more flavor or firmness. The key is picking the right swap based on how you’re using it.
We’ve tested different cheeses in everything from creamy sauces to toasted sandwiches to find the best replacements. Here are seven cheeses that can step in for Havarti and keep your dish tasting just as good.
7 Substitutes for Havarti Cheese
Each substitute has its own strengths. Some melt as smoothly as Havarti, while others bring a slightly sharper or firmer texture. The best choice depends on what you’re making.
1. Gouda Cheese
Gouda is one of the best substitutes for Havarti because it shares the same mild, buttery quality and melts effortlessly. Young Gouda is soft and creamy, making it ideal for most Havarti-based recipes.
Why it works: Gouda has a smooth, semi-soft texture that mimics Havarti’s meltability. It also has a slight sweetness, making it a great option for cheese platters or melted dishes.
Best for: Sandwiches, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and baked dishes.
How to use: Swap Havarti for Gouda in equal amounts. If using aged Gouda, expect a firmer texture and a stronger, caramelized flavor.
If Gouda isn’t available, check out these other useful Gouda cheese substitutes.
2. Monterey Jack Cheese
Monterey Jack is a fantastic choice if you need a smooth, melty cheese with a neutral flavor. It lacks Havarti’s slight tang but makes up for it with its buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Why it works: Monterey Jack is known for its high fat content, which gives it a rich, creamy melt, making it an excellent alternative in grilled sandwiches and pasta dishes.
Best for: Cheese sauces, quesadillas, sandwiches, and casseroles.
How to use: Replace Havarti with Monterey Jack in equal portions. If you’re looking for a touch more complexity, try blending it with Fontina or Gouda.
If you’re out of Monterey Jack, take a look at these other helpful Monterey Jack cheese substitutes.
3. Fontina Cheese
Fontina is an excellent swap for Havarti when you want a cheese that melts smoothly but with a bit more character. It has a mild nuttiness that adds depth to dishes, while still keeping a creamy, buttery base.
Why it works: Fontina has a semi-soft texture that melts effortlessly, making it a strong alternative for sandwiches and sauces. It’s slightly more flavorful than Havarti, but still mild enough to blend well with other ingredients.
Best for: Pasta bakes, grilled cheese, risottos, and soups.
How to use: Use Fontina in equal amounts as Havarti. If you want to tone down its stronger flavor, mix it with Monterey Jack or mild Cheddar.
For more melt-friendly options, check out these helpful Fontina cheese substitutes.
4. Provolone Cheese
Provolone is a great choice when you need a cheese with Havarti’s smooth melt but a slightly sharper taste. Young provolone is mild and stretchy, making it a good option for sandwiches and pizza.
Why it works: Provolone melts well and has a smooth, elastic texture, making it a good alternative in hot applications. Aged provolone has a sharper bite, so stick with younger varieties if you want a closer match to Havarti.
Best for: Grilled sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and baked dishes.
How to use: Replace Havarti with Provolone in equal portions. If it’s too sharp, blend it with a milder cheese like Gouda or Monterey Jack.
If Provolone isn’t available, check out these other helpful Provolone cheese substitutes.
5. Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese is a good substitute if you’re looking for a mild, slightly nutty cheese that melts well. While it’s firmer than Havarti, it still delivers a smooth, creamy consistency.
Why it works: Swiss cheese has a mild, buttery flavor with a touch of nuttiness, making it a good fit for dishes where Havarti’s subtle sweetness is key.
Best for: Sandwiches, cheese sauces, baked dishes, and fondues.
How to use: Swap Havarti for Swiss cheese in equal amounts. If the texture is too firm, blending it with a softer cheese like Fontina can help.
For more mild yet nutty options, check out these Swiss cheese substitutes.
6. Brie Cheese
Brie is one of the creamiest substitutes for Havarti, making it a great option for spreads and baked dishes. It has a rich, buttery texture with a mild tang, which complements both sweet and savory flavors.
Why it works: Brie is ultra-soft and gooey when melted, making it ideal for recipes that call for a velvety cheese. While it has a slight mushroom-like aroma, it blends well in most dishes.
Best for: Cheese platters, pasta sauces, and baked cheese dishes.
How to use: Replace Havarti with Brie in equal portions. If Brie is too soft, chilling it slightly before slicing can help maintain structure.
For other creamy alternatives, check out these Brie cheese substitutes.
7. Camembert Cheese
Camembert is similar to Brie but has a stronger, earthier flavor. If you’re looking for a creamy cheese with a bit more depth, Camembert is a solid option.
Why it works: Camembert melts well and has a rich, buttery taste, though it’s slightly stronger than Havarti. It works best in dishes where a touch of earthiness won’t overpower the other ingredients.
Best for: Baked cheese dishes, pasta, and cheese boards.
How to use: Use Camembert in equal amounts as a Havarti substitute. If the taste is too strong, blend it with a milder cheese like Monterey Jack.
If Camembert isn’t the right fit, check out these other helpful Camembert cheese substitutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gouda is the closest match to Havarti in both texture and taste. It has a similar buttery richness and smooth, creamy consistency, making it an easy swap in most recipes.
Yes, Monterey Jack is a great alternative in sandwiches. It has a mild, slightly buttery flavor and melts well, making it an excellent choice for grilled cheese or paninis.
Fontina works well as a substitute for Havarti in pasta dishes. It melts smoothly and has a mild nutty flavor that complements creamy sauces, risottos, and baked pastas.
Swiss cheese can replace Havarti in melted dishes, though it has a slightly firmer texture and a more pronounced nutty flavor. If using Swiss cheese in a recipe that calls for Havarti, mixing it with a softer cheese like Monterey Jack can help achieve a creamier consistency.
For a dairy-free alternative, try plant-based cheeses made from cashews or coconut milk. Brands like Violife and Miyoko’s Creamery offer vegan options that mimic Havarti’s creamy texture and mild flavor.
