Monterey Jack cheese is known for its smooth, buttery texture and mild, slightly tangy flavor. It’s a favorite in dishes where meltability is key—think quesadillas, mac and cheese, burgers, and creamy sauces.
Its neutral taste also makes it a great blending cheese, working well with bolder flavors without overpowering them.
But what if you don’t have Monterey Jack on hand? Whether the store is out or you just want to switch things up, there are several cheeses that can step in without ruining your dish.
Some substitutes offer the same mild and melty qualities, while others bring a bit more depth or stretchiness. The key is picking the right alternative based on how you plan to use it.
We’ve tested different cheeses in everything from nachos to baked pasta to find the best replacements. Whether you’re looking for a close match, a melty alternative, or even a dairy-free option, these seven substitutes will work perfectly in your dish.
7 Substitutes for Monterey Jack Cheese
Each of these cheeses has its strengths. Some are mild and creamy, while others add a richer depth of flavor. The best substitute depends on your recipe.
1. Colby Cheese
Colby cheese is one of the best substitutes for Monterey Jack because it has a similarly mild, creamy taste and melts just as well. It’s slightly more orange due to the annatto coloring, but that doesn’t affect its flavor.
Why it works: Colby cheese has a semi-soft texture that melts smoothly, making it a perfect swap in dishes where Monterey Jack’s mildness and meltability are key. It’s just a bit creamier, but most people won’t notice a difference.
Best for: Quesadillas, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, and casseroles.
How to use: Swap Monterey Jack for Colby in equal amounts. If you need a firmer cheese, opt for Colby-Jack, which combines Colby with Monterey Jack.
If Colby isn’t available, check out these other useful Colby cheese substitutes.
2. Havarti Cheese
For a creamy, mild alternative, Havarti is an excellent pick. It has a soft, buttery texture and a slightly richer taste, but it melts beautifully, making it perfect for dishes that rely on Monterey Jack’s smoothness.
Why it works: Havarti has a high moisture content, ensuring a gooey, rich melt. It’s a little tangier than Monterey Jack but blends well in most recipes.
Best for: Grilled cheese, burgers, mac and cheese, and creamy sauces.
How to use: Replace Monterey Jack with Havarti in equal amounts. If the taste is too rich, blending it with a milder cheese like mozzarella can help.
For more melty cheese alternatives, check out these Havarti cheese substitutes.
3. Gouda Cheese
Young Gouda is a great substitute if you want a mild, creamy cheese that melts well. It’s slightly sweeter than Monterey Jack, but its texture is very similar.
Why it works: Gouda has a smooth consistency and buttery flavor, making it an easy swap in melted dishes. It doesn’t have Monterey Jack’s slight tang, but it still blends well with other ingredients.
Best for: Baked pasta, sandwiches, cheese sauces, and nachos.
How to use: Swap Monterey Jack for young Gouda in equal amounts. If using aged Gouda, expect a firmer texture and a deeper, caramel-like taste.
If Gouda isn’t available, explore these other helpful Gouda cheese substitutes.
4. Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella might not be the first cheese that comes to mind as a Monterey Jack substitute, but it’s one of the best choices when you need a cheese that melts well. It has a mild, milky flavor, making it a great option for dishes that need a smooth, gooey consistency.
Why it works: Mozzarella has a soft, stretchy texture and mild taste, making it ideal for pizza, pasta, and baked dishes where Monterey Jack’s meltability is important.
Best for: Pizza, quesadillas, casseroles, and stuffed bread.
How to use: Use equal amounts of mozzarella as a Monterey Jack substitute. If stretchiness is important, low-moisture mozzarella works best.
Looking for more options? Check out these other Mozzarella cheese substitutes.
5. Provolone Cheese
Provolone is a solid replacement for Monterey Jack, especially if you need a mild cheese with good melting properties. It has a slightly tangier taste, but younger provolone is smooth and creamy like Monterey Jack.
Why it works: Provolone melts well and has a semi-soft texture that makes it a great choice for sandwiches and hot dishes.
Best for: Grilled cheese, pasta bakes, and burgers.
How to use: Swap Monterey Jack for provolone in equal portions. If you’re using aged provolone, blend it with a milder cheese like Colby to balance the flavor.
For more melty cheese options, check out these Provolone cheese substitutes.
6. Cheddar Cheese
If you’re looking for a sharper, more flavorful cheese, cheddar can work in place of Monterey Jack. Mild cheddar is the best choice since it melts well and has a smooth consistency.
Why it works: Cheddar brings a slightly stronger taste, but mild cheddar keeps things creamy while still providing good meltability.
Best for: Mac and cheese, grilled sandwiches, and baked casseroles.
How to use: Use mild cheddar in equal amounts as a Monterey Jack replacement. If you need a smoother texture, blend it with a softer cheese like mozzarella.
For other cheddar alternatives, check out these Cheddar cheese substitutes.
7. Pepper Jack Cheese
If you’re out of Monterey Jack but have Pepper Jack on hand, it can work as a replacement with a spicy kick. It’s the same cheese but with added peppers for heat.
Why it works: Since Pepper Jack shares the same base as Monterey Jack, it melts just as well and has a nearly identical texture. The only difference is the spice from the added jalapeños or peppers.
Best for: Quesadillas, burgers, grilled cheese, and nachos.
How to use: Use Pepper Jack in equal amounts as a Monterey Jack substitute, but only if a touch of spice won’t overpower the dish.
If you need a milder cheese, check out these Pepper Jack cheese substitutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Colby cheese is the closest match to Monterey Jack in both taste and texture. It has a mild, slightly buttery flavor and melts just as smoothly, making it an easy one-to-one substitute in most recipes.
Yes, mozzarella works as a Monterey Jack substitute for melting, especially in baked dishes and sandwiches. However, mozzarella has a milder taste and more stretchiness, so if you want a closer match, blending it with Havarti or Provolone can help.
Yes, Pepper Jack is essentially Monterey Jack with added chili peppers, so it has the same creamy texture and meltability. If you don’t mind a little spice in your dish, it can be a great replacement.
Mild cheddar can be used as a Monterey Jack substitute in mac and cheese. It melts well, though it has a slightly sharper taste. To maintain a smooth, creamy consistency, mixing mild cheddar with mozzarella or Colby can help.
For a dairy-free alternative, try plant-based Monterey Jack-style cheeses made from cashews or coconut oil. Brands like Violife and Daiya offer vegan cheeses that mimic the creamy texture and mild flavor of real Monterey Jack.
