Kamil Perry
Frozen pizzas are a convenient alternative to freshly baked pizzas, and while nothing beats a pizza straight from a volcanic oven, frozen pizzas can be a great option for those who want a quick and easy meal. The most important factor for a good frozen pizza is the crust, followed by the cheese and sauce. The cheese element is what separates good pizza from great pizza, and the best frozen cheese pizzas offer a balance of flavour and meltability. While mozzarella is the most popular type of cheese used for pizza due to its mild flavour and excellent meltability, other cheeses like provolone, fontina, gouda, and cheddar are also commonly used in frozen pizzas to enhance flavour and create a gooey, stretchy texture.
Characteristics and Values of Cheese Alternatives in Frozen Pizza:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Mozzarella, Parmesan, Fontina, Provolone, Romano, Cheddar, Cream Cheese, Asiago, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Muenster, Raclette |
| Cheese Characteristics | Melty, stretchy, savoury, salty, gooey, mild, nutty, rich, tangy, sharp, elastic |
| Number of Cheeses | One or more |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella, Parmesan, Fontina, and Provolone
When choosing Provolone, opt for a younger variety for a milder flavor or aged Provolone for a more intense, nutty taste. Semi-hard Provolone is the preferred choice for pizza as it melts well and provides the desired texture. Grate or slice the cheese thinly to ensure even melting and distribution.
Fontina is another cheese that can be used on frozen pizza. It is a semi-soft Italian cheese with a mild, nutty flavor and excellent melting characteristics. When melted, Fontina becomes creamy and adds a slightly nutty aroma to the pizza. To get the most out of Fontina, grate it while it's cold and then let it reach room temperature before cooking for optimal meltiness.
Parmesan is often used in combination with mozzarella and Fontina on frozen pizzas. It adds a salty, savory flavor to the pizza. While it may not be the main cheese on a frozen pizza, it plays an important role in enhancing the overall flavor profile.
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Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, and Pepper Jack
While mozzarella is the most popular cheese for pizza, there are several alternatives that offer the same meltability with a more complex flavour profile. Cheddar, smoked gouda, and pepper jack are three such examples.
Cheddar, with its sharp, nutty, and rich flavour, is a popular choice for those who want something a little more robust than mozzarella. It holds up well as it cools, remaining soft and pliable, and is often paired with other cheeses like Asiago and Parmesan in a blend.
Smoked gouda has a mild, somewhat buttery flavour with a hint of sweetness and a smoky finish. It is a great option for those who want a more subtle cheese flavour that will not overpower the other toppings. Gouda also melts beautifully, making it a perfect choice for pizza.
Pepper jack is a mild cheese with a nice degree of heat. It has a similar flavour profile to cheddar but with a kick, making it perfect for those who like their pizza with a little spice. Like cheddar, it melts well and remains soft and pliable, even as it cools.
When choosing a frozen pizza with these cheese alternatives, it is important to consider the other toppings and how they will complement the cheese. For example, a pizza with smoked gouda might feature toppings like smoky olives, savory bacon, and roasted red peppers. A pizza with pepper jack could include spicy sausage or hot peppers to enhance the cheese's heat. Meanwhile, a pizza with cheddar might pair well with toppings that balance its sharpness, such as mushrooms or bell peppers.
By choosing cheese alternatives like cheddar, smoked gouda, and pepper jack, frozen pizza enthusiasts can enjoy a more complex and interesting flavour profile without sacrificing the meltability and stretchability that make pizza cheese so appealing.
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Cream cheese and mozzarella
Mozzarella is America's favourite pizza cheese, and it's easy to see why. It has excellent meltability, resulting in that classic, gooey, stretchy texture. It also has a fairly neutral flavour, making it a versatile choice that pairs well with a wide range of toppings.
Cream cheese is less common on pizza, but it can be a great way to add a tangy twist. It has a rich, creamy flavour and a unique texture that, when melted, becomes oozy and almost oniony.
Combining cream cheese and mozzarella on a frozen pizza is a fantastic way to elevate this convenience food. The two cheeses complement each other beautifully, with the mildness of the mozzarella balancing out the tanginess of the cream cheese. The result is a decadent, indulgent treat.
To take your frozen pizza to the next level, consider adding some extra toppings. Caramelised onions, mushrooms, and roasted red peppers are all excellent choices that will enhance the flavours of the cheeses. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even add some pineapple or bacon for a sweet and savoury contrast.
So, the next time you're craving a quick and easy meal, reach for a frozen pizza and get creative with your toppings. With a few simple ingredients, you can transform a basic pizza into a delicious, restaurant-worthy creation.
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Romano and Parmesan
When it comes to frozen pizza, both Romano and Parmesan cheeses are popular choices, sometimes appearing on their own but more often as part of a blend. For example, the Newman's Own frozen pizza features mozzarella, Asiago, cheddar, and Parmesan. Similarly, the Bessie's Revenge pizza from Screamin' Sicilian blends shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and white cheddar, with a generous handful of fresh mozzarella slices.
The DiGiorno Rising Crust Four Cheese Pizza and the Target Good & Gather Self-Rising Crust Four Cheese Frozen Pizza also include Parmesan in their cheese blends, although the former lists it lower in the ingredients list. Good and Gather's pizza, in particular, is praised for its complex and richly flavoured sauce, light and stretchy cheese topping, and sturdy, crispy crust.
While Romano and Parmesan are both excellent choices for frozen pizza, it's worth noting that their meltability decreases with age. So, if you're looking for that classic, stretchy, gooey cheese pull, you may want to opt for a younger cheese or a different variety altogether, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or provolone.
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Raclette, Asiago, and Cheddar
Frozen pizzas are a convenient and tasty meal option, and while traditional pizzas usually feature mozzarella, frozen pizzas can be a great way to experiment with different cheeses. Raclette, Asiago, and Cheddar are three cheeses that can be excellent alternatives on a frozen pizza.
Starting with Raclette, this semi-hard Swiss cheese is perfect for a unique and interactive dining experience. Raclette grills, a Swiss tradition, involve melting slices of raclette cheese and scraping it onto diners' plates to be enjoyed with various toppings. This style of dining encourages socialising and is a fun way to enjoy pizza with friends and family. While Raclette doesn't freeze well, it can be a delightful fresh option for your next pizza night.
Asiago is another cheese that can elevate your frozen pizza experience. Asiago is a cow's milk cheese with a rich and slightly sweet flavour. It is often used in blends, such as the Asiago and Romano cheese blend found in California Pizza Kitchen's Crispy Thin Crust White Frozen Pizza. Asiago adds a creamy texture and a nutty, tangy flavour to the pizza.
Cheddar is a versatile and widely loved cheese that can also be a fantastic choice for frozen pizzas. Cheddar has a sharp, distinctive flavour and melts beautifully. While specific brands may vary, options like Red Baron and Screamin' Sicilian offer frozen cheddar pizzas, providing a convenient and tasty meal.
In conclusion, Raclette, Asiago, and Cheddar are three excellent cheese alternatives to consider when choosing a frozen pizza. Whether you're looking for a unique dining experience with Raclette, the rich flavour of Asiago, or the sharp, melting goodness of Cheddar, these cheeses offer a delightful departure from the typical mozzarella option. So, next time you're reaching for a frozen pizza, be adventurous and give one of these cheeses a try!
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Frequently asked questions
Some cheese alternatives to mozzarella on frozen pizza include provolone, parmesan, fontina, gouda, muenster, raclette, asiago, gorgonzola, and cheddar.
A popular cheese blend on frozen pizza is a combination of mozzarella and provolone. Another blend includes mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, and fontina.
Some popular frozen pizzas that include cheese alternatives to mozzarella are Amy's Pizza, Good and Gather's Pizza, and Screamin' Sicilian.
