Burrata cheese is one of the creamiest, most indulgent cheeses, prized for its soft mozzarella shell and rich, buttery center filled with stracciatella and cream.
It’s the star of Caprese salads, pasta dishes, pizzas, and gourmet appetizers, offering a delicate milky sweetness that pairs beautifully with fresh ingredients.
But Burrata isn’t always available. If your recipe calls for its ultra-soft, creamy texture, you’ll need a substitute that delivers a similar richness without losing that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Some alternatives focus on Burrata’s soft, milky flavor, while others bring a thicker, more structured consistency that still works in most recipes.
We’ve tested different cheeses in spreads, salads, pasta, and pizzas to find the best replacements for Burrata cheese. Whether you need a mild, creamy cheese, a firmer alternative, or even a plant-based option, these seven substitutes will keep your dish just as rich and delicious.
7 Substitutes for Burrata Cheese
Each substitute brings something different. Some replicate Burrata’s fresh creaminess, while others provide a rich, milky flavor that works in various dishes.
1. Fresh Mozzarella – The Best Match for Mild, Milky Flavor
Fresh mozzarella is the closest substitute for Burrata, offering a soft, delicate texture and a mild, milky sweetness.
While it lacks Burrata’s creamy stracciatella center, fresh mozzarella still provides a smooth bite and excellent moisture content, making it perfect for salads, pizzas, and sandwiches. If you’re replacing Burrata in a recipe, consider tearing fresh mozzarella into small pieces and drizzling it with heavy cream or olive oil to mimic the luxurious texture.
Best for: Caprese salad, pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.
How to use: Replace Burrata with fresh mozzarella in equal amounts. If you want more richness, mix it with mascarpone or ricotta.
For more mozzarella alternatives, check out these Mozzarella cheese substitutes.
2. Stracciatella – The Inside of Burrata Without the Shell
Stracciatella is the closest textural match to Burrata’s creamy center and works perfectly in spreads, salads, and pasta dishes.
This cheese is essentially the soft, shredded curds mixed with cream that fill Burrata, making it ideal if you want a luscious, rich alternative without the firmer outer layer. It won’t hold its shape but delivers the same melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Best for: Spreads, pasta dishes, bruschetta, and gourmet appetizers.
How to use: Swap Burrata with Stracciatella in equal portions, especially in salads or as a pizza topping. If you need more structure, serve it with fresh mozzarella.
3. Mascarpone – A Creamier, More Spreadable Option
If you need a creamy, indulgent substitute for Burrata, mascarpone is one of the best choices.
Mascarpone is a soft Italian cheese with a rich, buttery texture, making it perfect for spreading on bread, topping pasta, or adding creaminess to dishes. It lacks the elasticity of Burrata’s mozzarella shell but makes up for it with a smooth, decadent consistency.
Best for: Spreads, pasta sauces, and desserts.
How to use: Replace Burrata with mascarpone in equal amounts. If you need more structure, mix it with mozzarella or ricotta.
For more creamy cheese alternatives, check out these Mascarpone cheese substitutes.
4. Ricotta – A Soft, Mild Alternative
Ricotta is a great Burrata substitute if you need a fresh, mild cheese with a soft, slightly grainy texture.
It doesn’t have Burrata’s gooey, liquid center, but its light, airy consistency and gentle creaminess make it a suitable alternative for spreads, pasta dishes, and salads. For an even creamier effect, mix ricotta with heavy cream.
Best for: Pasta dishes, baked recipes, and spreads.
How to use: Replace Burrata with ricotta in equal portions. If you need a smoother texture, blend it with a little olive oil or cream.
For more ricotta alternatives, check out these Ricotta cheese substitutes.
5. Cream Cheese – A Rich, Smooth Option
Cream cheese isn’t an exact match for Burrata, but if you need a thick, spreadable substitute with a rich mouthfeel, it’s a great option.
While it’s denser and tangier than Burrata, cream cheese delivers a smooth, luscious consistency that works well in dips, pasta sauces, and spreads. If replacing Burrata in a salad or pizza, mix cream cheese with a splash of milk or olive oil to loosen the texture.
Best for: Spreads, dips, and pasta sauces.
How to use: Replace Burrata with cream cheese in equal portions. For a milder taste, blend it with ricotta or mascarpone.
6. Crescenza (Stracchino) – A Fresh, Ultra-Soft Alternative
Crescenza, also known as Stracchino, is an ultra-creamy, spreadable Italian cheese that melts beautifully.
It’s even softer than Burrata, making it ideal for pizzas, focaccia, and melted cheese dishes. While it lacks Burrata’s stracciatella filling, its fresh, milky sweetness makes it an excellent substitute for mild, creamy applications.
Best for: Spreads, pizzas, and warm appetizers.
How to use: Swap Burrata with Crescenza in equal portions. If you need more structure, blend it with fresh mozzarella.
7. Ricotta di Bufala – A Creamier, More Luxurious Alternative
Ricotta di Bufala is a premium Italian cheese made from water buffalo milk, offering a rich, ultra-creamy texture.
It’s softer and richer than regular ricotta, making it a fantastic substitute for Burrata in dishes where its creaminess is the star. If you’re using Burrata as a topping or in a salad, Ricotta di Bufala is one of the closest matches in terms of delicate, milky flavor.
Best for: Pasta, salads, bruschetta, and creamy sauces.
How to use: Replace Burrata with Ricotta di Bufala in equal portions. If you need more elasticity, pair it with fresh mozzarella.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh mozzarella is the best substitute for Burrata because it shares the same mild, milky flavor and soft texture. While it lacks Burrata’s creamy center, you can drizzle it with olive oil or mix it with a little heavy cream to mimic the richness.
Yes, ricotta can replace Burrata in certain dishes, especially if you need a soft, creamy texture. However, it is slightly grainier than Burrata and lacks the elastic outer shell. For a smoother texture, blend ricotta with a little milk or olive oil.
Stracciatella cheese is the best substitute for Burrata in salads because it is essentially the creamy inside of Burrata without the mozzarella shell. It provides the same indulgent texture and milky flavor.
Yes, mascarpone is a good alternative for Burrata in pasta dishes, as it has a rich, creamy consistency. While it lacks the stretchiness of Burrata, it blends beautifully into sauces for a velvety finish.
Crescenza (Stracchino) is a great substitute for Burrata on pizza because it has a similar ultra-creamy, spreadable texture. It melts beautifully over a hot crust and adds the same rich, milky flavor.
Yes, Ricotta di Bufala is an excellent replacement for Burrata if you need a similarly soft, creamy cheese with a rich, buttery finish. It works well in salads, pasta, and as a topping for crostini.
