vegetarian mozzarella
substitute.

14 vegetarian substitutes for mozzarella — top pick Oaxaca at 100% function match.

all substitutes on this page are vegetarian

top substitutes

01

Oaxaca

10.0
1 cup : 1 cup

Best match for stretch and melt

02

Queso Fresco

10.0
1 cup : 1 cup

Fresh mozzarella diced; milder and wetter

03

Muenster

10.0
1 cup : 1 cup

Mild stretch, less flavor but great melt

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04

Ricotta

10.0
1 cup : 1 cup

Creamy and mild but won't melt into strings; best in lasagna or stuffed shells

05

Cheddar

7.5
1 cup : 1 cup

Milder, great melt; less sharp flavor

06

Gruyere

7.5
1 cup : 1 cup

Mild melt, good for gratins

07

Monterey Jack

7.5
1 cup : 1 cup

Stretchy melt, milder flavor

08

Fontina

7.5
1 cup : 1 cup

Mild buttery flavor and melts smoothly; great on pizza and baked pasta

09

Gouda

7.5
1 cup : 1 cup

Mild young gouda melts well; slightly richer flavor than mozzarella

10

Swiss

7.5
1 cup : 1 cup

Nuttier flavor; melts well in paninis and casseroles but browns faster

11

Colby

7.5
1 cup : 1 cup

Mild and creamy; melts smoothly for quesadillas or grilled cheese

12

Edam

7.5
1 cup : 1 cup

Mild semi-firm; shreds well and melts evenly on pizza

13

Parmesan

7.5
1 cup : 1 cup

Hard aged cheese; grate finely over pizza or pasta, nuttier and saltier, won't melt into strings

14

Provolone

7.5
1:1

Sharper and drier; melts less smoothly but adds nutty bite to sandwiches and baked dishes

pitfalls to avoid

watch out

Ricotta: Won't melt into stretchy strings for pizza

watch out

Ricotta: Creamy and spreadable, not firm and sliceable

watch out

Fontina: Creamier melt; less stringy pull than mozzarella

watch out

Gouda: Richer and slightly caramelly vs. neutral mozzarella

watch out

Swiss: Nuttier flavor and browns faster under a broiler

watch out

Colby: Slightly firmer melt; less stretchy than mozzarella

watch out

Edam: Semi-firm; shreds well but less stretchy than mozzarella

watch out

Provolone: Drier and less stretchy; melts less smoothly

watch out

Provolone: Sharper and nuttier than neutral mozzarella

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