Randy Chandler
Pizza is a beloved dish around the world, and one of the most important ingredients is the cheese. While mozzarella is the most popular choice, there are many other types of cheese that can be used to add depth and flavour to your pizza. From cheddar to gouda, and even ricotta, each cheese brings its own unique qualities to the table. So, which cheese will you choose for your next pizza night?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese with good meltability | Cheddar, fontina, gouda, jack, mozzarella, muenster, provolone |
| Cheese with a light, fluffy texture | Ricotta |
| Cheese with a sharp, tangy flavour | Cheddar |
| Cheese with a mild, creamy flavour | Mozzarella |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella is the king of pizza cheese
Mozzarella is often blended with provolone to add depth to the cheese profile without overpowering the other ingredients. It's great on meat lovers' pizza, veggie pizza, and any pizza that could use a flavour boost.
Mozzarella is also a "young" (minimally aged) cheese with a low melting point, which is why it's so good on pizza. Other cheeses in this category include cheddar, fontina, gouda, jack, muenster, and Swiss cheese. However, mozzarella is the best of these for pizza because it has the ideal meltability and flavour.
Ricotta is another fresh cheese that can be used on pizza. It has a light, fluffy texture and a slightly sweet taste. It doesn't melt like traditional pizza cheeses but adds creamy dollops of flavour to your pie.
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Provolone is often blended with mozzarella
Mozzarella is the most popular cheese for pizza, known for its perfect meltability and mild, creamy flavour. It creates the iconic stretchy, gooey layer that pizza lovers crave.
However, provolone is often blended with mozzarella to add depth to the cheese profile without overpowering the other ingredients. Provolone has a similar meltability to mozzarella, but it has a sharper, tangier flavour. When blended with mozzarella, provolone adds a flavour boost to the pizza without taking over. This blend of cheeses works well on meat lovers' pizzas, veggie pizzas, and any pizza that could use a little extra flavour.
Mozzarella is also often paired with ricotta, a fresh cheese with a light, fluffy texture and a slightly sweet taste. Unlike traditional pizza cheeses, ricotta doesn't melt, but instead adds creamy dollops to the pizza. Its mild flavour complements stronger cheeses and savoury toppings, making it a versatile addition to many pizza recipes.
Other cheeses that work well on pizza include cheddar, fontina, gouda, jack, muenster, and swiss.
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Cheddar adds a burst of personality
While mozzarella is the most popular cheese for pizza, cheddar is a great alternative. Cheddar adds a burst of personality to your pizza. With its sharp, tangy flavour and firm texture, it brings a delightful bite and pairs wonderfully with other cheeses and toppings. It doesn't melt as smoothly as mozzarella, but it's a fantastic addition to any pizza with a smoky or robust flavour profile. For example, cheddar is a great choice for a BBQ chicken pizza or a bacon cheeseburger pizza.
Cheddar is a "young" cheese with a low melting point, which means it's perfect for pizza as it won't leave lumps of semi-melted cheese. It has a delightful bite and can be paired with other cheeses and toppings. For example, provolone is often blended with mozzarella to add depth to the cheese profile without overpowering the other ingredients.
If you're looking for a more elegant pizza, fresh mozzarella is a better option. Its soft texture and milky taste add a touch of elegance, while the low-moisture version is great for achieving that golden-brown bubbly finish. However, if you're looking for a cheese with a similar meltability to mozzarella but a more distinctive flavour, cheddar is a great choice.
Cheddar is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of recipes. It has a strong flavour that can stand up to other ingredients, making it a good choice for a meat lover's pizza or a veggie pizza. It can also be used in combination with other cheeses, such as mozzarella or provolone, to create a unique flavour profile.
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Ricotta is a fresh, sweet cheese
Mozzarella is the most popular cheese for pizza, known for its meltability and mild, creamy flavour. It creates the iconic stretchy, gooey layer that pizza lovers crave. Fresh mozzarella has a soft texture and a milky taste, while the low-moisture version is great for achieving a golden-brown bubbly finish.
However, there are many other types of cheese that can be used on pizza. Provolone is often blended with mozzarella to add depth without overpowering the other ingredients. Cheddar has a sharp, tangy flavour and a firm texture, and while it doesn't melt as smoothly as mozzarella, it brings a delightful bite and pairs well with other cheeses and toppings.
Other cheeses with good meltability include fontina, gouda, jack, muenster, and swiss.
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Gouda is a gourmet choice
Mozzarella is the most popular cheese for pizza, known for its perfect meltability and mild, creamy flavour. However, there are many other cheeses that can be used to add depth to the flavour profile of a pizza.
Other cheeses that can be used on pizza include provolone, which is often blended with mozzarella, and ricotta, which has a light, fluffy texture and a slightly sweet taste. Cheddar is also a good choice, with its sharp, tangy flavour and firm texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Mozzarella is the most popular cheese for pizza, known for its perfect meltability and mild, creamy flavour.
Provolone, cheddar, ricotta, gouda, fontina, muenster, jack, and fresh milk mozzarella are all good options for pizza.
Fresh mozzarella has a soft texture and a milky taste, while low-moisture mozzarella is better for achieving a golden-brown bubbly finish.
Mozzarella is a good choice for any pizza, but especially traditional margherita and Neapolitan-style pizzas.
