Mozzarella cheese is the king of meltability, loved for its mild, milky flavor and signature stretch.
It’s the go-to cheese for pizzas, lasagnas, Caprese salads, and gooey grilled sandwiches.
Whether fresh or low-moisture, mozzarella brings a creamy, stringy texture that’s hard to replace.
But what if you’re out of mozzarella, or you’re looking for a substitute with a little more flavor? The good news is that several cheeses can step in without ruining your dish.
Some offer the same melty goodness, while others bring a bolder, creamier twist to classic mozzarella-based recipes.
We’ve tested different cheeses in everything from cheese pulls to baked pasta dishes to find the best replacements for mozzarella. Whether you need a stretchy alternative, a milder cheese, or a dairy-free swap, these seven substitutes will work perfectly in your dish.
7 Substitutes for Mozzarella Cheese
Each substitute has unique properties. Some mimic mozzarella’s gooey texture, while others provide a richer, creamier bite. The best choice depends on your dish.
1. Provolone Cheese
If you’re looking for a mozzarella alternative that melts just as beautifully, Provolone is the way to go. It has a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a soft, stretchy consistency, making it one of the best swaps for mozzarella.
Why it works: Provolone has a semi-soft texture with excellent melting properties, making it ideal for both baked and cold dishes. It’s slightly sharper than mozzarella but still mild enough to blend well with other ingredients.
Best for: Pizza, sandwiches, baked pasta, and stuffed dishes.
How to use: Replace mozzarella with Provolone in equal amounts. If the flavor is too strong, blending it with a mild cheese like Havarti can tone it down.
If Provolone isn’t available, check out these other useful Provolone cheese substitutes.
2. Monterey Jack Cheese
Monterey Jack is a fantastic alternative if you need a creamy, mild cheese with excellent meltability. While it doesn’t have mozzarella’s stretch, it still delivers a smooth and gooey texture.
Why it works: Monterey Jack has a soft, buttery texture and mild taste, making it a great substitute in recipes that rely on mozzarella’s creamy melt.
Best for: Quesadillas, cheese dips, mac and cheese, and pizza.
How to use: Swap mozzarella for Monterey Jack in equal portions. If you need more stretch, mix it with a bit of Provolone.
If you’re out of Monterey Jack, check out these other helpful Monterey Jack cheese substitutes.
3. Oaxaca Cheese
Oaxaca cheese is the Mexican version of mozzarella, offering the same stretchy texture and mild, milky taste. It’s an excellent substitute for recipes that need mozzarella’s signature pull and gooey melt.
Why it works: Oaxaca cheese has a stringy consistency and soft texture, making it ideal for melting applications. It’s slightly saltier than mozzarella but works well in most dishes.
Best for: Pizza, quesadillas, stuffed dishes, and baked casseroles.
How to use: Use Oaxaca cheese in equal amounts as a mozzarella substitute. If a stronger flavor is needed, blend it with mild Cheddar.
4. Havarti Cheese
Havarti is a great substitute when you need a soft, buttery cheese that melts effortlessly. It lacks mozzarella’s stretch, but its smooth, rich texture makes it a fantastic alternative in many dishes.
Why it works: Havarti has a high moisture content, ensuring a smooth, gooey melt that works well in melted dishes.
Best for: Grilled cheese, mac and cheese, burgers, and pasta bakes.
How to use: Swap mozzarella for Havarti in equal portions. If you need more elasticity, mix it with Provolone.
For more creamy cheese alternatives, check out these Havarti cheese substitutes.
5. Fontina Cheese
Fontina is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a mozzarella substitute with a bit more depth. It melts well and has a slightly nutty, earthy taste.
Why it works: Fontina has a semi-soft texture that becomes creamy and gooey when melted, making it a solid replacement in baked and melted dishes.
Best for: Pasta bakes, grilled sandwiches, and risottos.
How to use: Replace mozzarella with Fontina in equal amounts. If it’s too strong, blend it with Havarti for a milder balance.
For more melt-friendly options, check out these helpful Fontina cheese substitutes.
6. Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta doesn’t melt like mozzarella, but if you need a creamy, mild cheese for layering or stuffing, it’s a great option.
Why it works: Ricotta has a light, fluffy texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor, making it a good alternative in layered pasta dishes or stuffed recipes.
Best for: Lasagna, stuffed shells, and dips.
How to use: Use Ricotta in equal amounts where a soft cheese is needed. If you want more stretch, combine it with Provolone or Fontina.
For more melt-friendly options, check out these helpful Ricotta cheese substitutes.
7. Smoked Mozzarella
If you’re out of regular mozzarella but have smoked mozzarella, it can be a fantastic alternative with a richer, slightly smoky depth.
Why it works: Smoked mozzarella retains the same creamy, melty texture as regular mozzarella but adds a bold, smoky flavor that enhances sandwiches, pizzas, and baked pasta dishes.
Best for: Pizza, grilled cheese, and pasta dishes.
How to use: Replace mozzarella with smoked mozzarella in equal portions, but only in recipes where a smoky flavor complements the dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Provolone is the best substitute for mozzarella on pizza. It has a similar mild flavor and melts smoothly, giving pizzas the perfect stretch. If you want a bit more depth, smoked mozzarella can add extra flavor.
Yes, Monterey Jack can replace mozzarella in lasagna. It melts well and has a creamy texture, but it lacks mozzarella’s signature stretch. To compensate, blending it with Provolone or Oaxaca cheese can help mimic mozzarella’s gooey consistency.
Oaxaca cheese is the closest match to mozzarella in terms of texture and stretch. It has a mild, milky flavor and a stringy consistency, making it an excellent alternative for melted dishes like pizza, pasta bakes, and stuffed bread.
Havarti is a good substitute for mozzarella in grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a soft, buttery texture that melts well, though it’s slightly richer. If you prefer a milder taste, mixing it with Provolone or Monterey Jack can help balance the flavors.
For a non-dairy substitute, try plant-based mozzarella alternatives like Violife, Daiya, or Miyoko’s Creamery. These vegan cheeses are designed to mimic mozzarella’s mild flavor and melting properties, making them great for pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.
