Pizza would not be pizza without cheese. This article will discuss the best mozzarella cheese products to try when baking a pizza pie next time.
I have tried a lot of different types of cheese on pizza over the years, and I have found mozzarella the best one out there. In my opinion, nothing beats the soft, creamy, and stringy texture of this cheese.
However, mozzarella cheese also comes in different kinds, which offer distinct flavors and consistencies. It can be overwhelming to choose which one to use the next time you bake a pizza.
Fortunately, I will discuss the best mozzarella cheese for pizza. Each product will include a detailed review as well as a brief list of the pros and cons, so you can easily compare one item to another.
This article focuses on the mozzarella used over the whole pizza, as opposed to toppings like mozzarella di bufala or fior di latte. I will also answer some of your frequently asked questions about cheese on pizza.
So, if you are curious about this and more, continue reading on!
What Is Mozzarella Cheese?
Before I get into my top picks, I would first like to discuss what makes mozzarella one of the best cheeses for pizza.
Mozzarella is a soft, white cheese that originates from Southern Italy. Traditionally, it comes from buffalo milk. However, it is more commonly made from cow’s milk today.
Mozzarella cheese has a soft and creamy texture and a light milky flavor. It can also melt quickly, which makes it the perfect pizza topping.
Furthermore, mozzarella is a staple cheese for authentic Neapolitan pizza, according to the True Neapolitan Pizza Association’s international rules.
With that said, the best choice of mozzarella cheese will depend on what kind of pizza you want to make.
In general, the best mozzarella for Neapolitan pizza is a fresh cheese made from cow’s milk or buffalo milk (mozzarella di bufala).
Meanwhile, an American-style and low-moisture mozzarella cheese can better complement homemade oven pizza.
In addition to the traditional fresh buffalo and cow milk cheese, there are also several other kinds of mozzarella cheese.
Let us take a look at some of the best mozzarella for pizza!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Editor’s Pick  |
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Best Fresh Mozzarella Cheese  |
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Best Shredded Mozzarella Cheese  |
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Best Goat Cheese  |
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7 Best Mozzarella for Pizza
Here are my top picks for the best pizza cheese products on the market today! Each one can complement the sauce and crust for a satisfying pizza experience.
1. Happy Belly Shredded Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese – Editor’s Pick
The first product on this list of the best pizza cheese product is the Happy Belly Shredded Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese.
It uses low-moisture and part-skim mozzarella. Hence, this pizza cheese offers a saltier flavor and a longer shelf life.
Additionally, it browns evenly at a faster pace compared to whole-milk mozzarella. It is ideal to use when baking homemade oven pizza.
Moreover, this best mozzarella cheese is already shredded. It comes in a 16-ounce resealable pouch to keep everything fresh.
Finally, despite using skimmed milk, this fresh mozzarella cheese is still a good source of calcium.
Most customer reviews for this product were positive. However, if there is any criticism, it would be the bland and flavorless taste.
Fortunately, Happy Belly can refund your product within a year of purchase if you are unsatisfied.
For this reason, I chose the Happy Belly Shredded Low-Moisture Cheese as the best low-moisture mozzarella cheese for pizza.
Pros:
- A low-moisture mozzarella cheese has a longer shelf life
- This part-skim milk mozzarella cooks easily
- It is a good source of calcium
- It comes in a resealable pouch to keep the cheese fresh
Cons:
- A few customers said that the pizza cheese tasted bland and flavorless
2. BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella Ball – Best Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
The BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella Ball is another must-try pizza cheese.
It is made from fresh, local milk in Wisconsin. This cheese is gathered only a few hours after milking a cow. Hence, it results in a porcelain white appearance, which makes it the finest cheese available on the market.
Additionally, this fresh mozzarella cheese has a soft and delicate texture. It can complement thin-crust pizzas.
Furthermore, it offers a milky flavor. It goes well with tomatoes, fresh basil, roasted peppers, cured meats, and even light-bodied wine.
Finally, this mozzarella ball is gluten-free and safe to eat for vegetarians.
However, there are still a few downsides to consider before buying this best mozzarella cheese for pizza. First, some users received a package that was pressed flat. Second, a few customers complained about the rubbery texture, despite using fresh cheeses.
Overall, though, the BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella Ball remains one of the best fresh mozzarella cheeses available today.
Pros:
- It is made from fresh, local milk in Wisconsin
- The soft and delicate cheese texture can complement thin-crust pizzas and other American pizza styles
- It has a milky flavor that goes well with tomato sauce, fresh basil, and other herbs
- It does not contain gluten and is safe to eat for vegetarians
Cons:
- Some customers received a package that was pressed flat
- A few users said that the cheese has a rubber texture despite being fresh
3. Sargento Shredded Mozzarella Natural Cheese – Best Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Those who are looking for an easy-melting cheese might like the Sargento Shredded Mozzarella Natural Cheese.
This mozzarella cheese is shredded fresh from blocks of real, natural cheese. It offers a mild salty flavor and easy-melt texture that is perfect for New York style pizza and American-style pizza styles. It is also versatile enough for pizza baking, appetizers, casseroles, lasagna, and other types of pasta.
Additionally, it contains two cups of pre-shredded and sliced mozzarella. These can last you for several meals.
Furthermore, this fresh mozzarella cheese comes in an easy-open-and-close packaging. It can keep the low-moisture cheese at optimum freshness. However, it is best to use it within five days upon opening to ensure maximum freshness.
Some users also complained about the dry and tough texture of the pre-shredded cheese. A few users even received expired cheese.
These are isolated cases, though. The Sargento Shredded Mozzarella Natural Cheese is still among the best pizza cheeses today.
Pros:
- This mozzarella cheese melts quickly due to having less moisture
- It has a mild flavor, which makes it ideal for appetizers, casseroles, pasta, and pizza
- It contains two cups of shredded cheese to last you for several pizza meals
- An easy-open-and-close packaging ensures maximum freshness
Cons:
- The mozzarella cheese has a dry and tough texture, according to some customers
- A few users received expired cheese
4. Laclare Farm Mozzarella Goat Cheese – Best Goat Cheese
The Laclare Farm Mozzarella Goat Cheese is among the most premium mozzarella cheese products today.
It uses fresh cheese that is made with whole pasteurized goat milk. Unlike buffalo mozzarella, it offers a subtle flavor that pairs well with pinot noir, pilsner beer, and chardonnay.
This six-ounce block of fresh mozzarella also uses non-GMO culture and coagulant. Rest assured, it is produced organically.
Finally, it is ripened for seven days before being gathered in Wisconsin. It results in a more complex flavor that can enhance your pizza experience, whether you have thick crust pizza or New York-style pizza.
But before buying this pizza cheese, it is best to consider its downsides. First, it is relatively expensive. Second, it might be too mild for your taste.
Nevertheless, the Laclare Farm Mozzarella Goat Cheese might still be worth purchasing for its premium and organic flavor.
Pros:
- Award-winning goat cheese
- It is made with whole pasteurized goat milk
- It offers a subtle, complex flavor that pairs well with different kinds of pizzas and wines
- It is organically ripened and produced in Wisconsin
Cons:
- The most expensive pizza cheese on this list
- Some users might find the flavor too mild for their taste
5. Kraft Shredded Natural Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
Are you looking for a ready-to-use cheese for baking pizza? Then, the Kraft Shredded Natural Mozzarella Shredded Cheese might be the right product for you.
It offers shredded mozzarella cheese that melts quickly when put on top of your pizza crust. Simply sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly.
Additionally, this pre-shredded mozzarella offers a fresh and creamy flavor. It works well on different kinds of pizza and pasta.
Furthermore, it comes in a resealable bag that can help lock in flavor. It also retains the freshness of the cheese.
However, this natural cheese must be consumed immediately after opening. A few users also received a package that was close to its expiring date.
With that said, the Kraft Shredded Mozzarella Cheese is still one of the best products to use when baking homemade pizza on a pizza stone.
Pros:
- It features shredded cheese that can melt quickly in high baking temperature
- It has a low-moisture content, unlike string cheese
- It offers a rich and creamy taste to enhance your pizza experience
- The resealable bag can help lock in flavor
Cons:
- It must be consumed immediately after opening
- A few customers reported that they received an item that was close to its expiry date
6. BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella Log
The BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella Log is another high-quality mozzarella cheese to use when baking pizza.
It contains a one-pound log of fresh Italian mozzarella. This cheese is made from local milk gathered only a few hours from a cow.
Hence, it offers delicate and clean-flavored cheese. It goes well with fresh basil, roasted peppers, tomatoes, and light-bodied wine.
Meanwhile, the porcelain white appearance and soft texture make this brand one of the finest available on the market today.
Furthermore, it allows for easy portioning. Besides pizza, it is also ideal for baked ziti, lasagna, and Caprese salad.
However, some users received cheese that was warm and submerged in water. A few users also complained about the gritty texture of the cheese.
Nevertheless, the BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella Log is still worth trying out. It is one of the best pizza cheeses available today.
Pros:
- It is made from fresh, local milk
- The soft and delicate texture can complement all kinds of pizza and pasta
- It pairs well with tomatoes, fresh basil, and other herbs
Cons:
- Some users received cheese that arrived warm and submerged in water
- A few customers said that the texture was gritty
7. Organic Valley Organic Thick Cut Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
The Organic Valley Organic Thick Cut Shredded Mozzarella Cheese is the last item on this list of the best mozzarella cheese for pizza.
It offers part-skim mozzarella cheese that has a rich and creamy flavor.
This shredded cheese can also melt quickly. It is ideal for pizza, pasta, sandwich, and even chicken dishes.
Furthermore, the brand is USDA certified. It can guarantee that it does not contain GMOs, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or toxic pesticides.
Despite these benefits, the fresh mozzarella cheese was a little on the sour side. A few customers also complained about receiving a batch with a dry texture.
Overall, though, the Organic Valley Organic Thick Cut Shredded Mozzarella Cheese is still one of the best pizza cheeses available today.
Pros:
- It offers a rich and creamy flavor
- This quick-melting cheese is ideal for different kinds of pizza and pasta
- It is 100% organic
Cons:
- The cheese was a little on the sour side
- A few users complained about the dry texture of the cheese
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fresh or shredded mozzarella better for pizza?
Mozzarella cheese is available in two main types—fresh and low-moisture cheese. Choosing between the two will depend on what you intend to cook and your personal preferences.
If you want cheese that quickly melts, then nothing beats low-moisture mozzarella. This type of cheese is dried and aged into a block to make it harder in texture. It can also be shredded easily to give American-style pizzas and other food that distinct gooey cheese pull. In terms of taste, low-moisture mozzarella cheese can be salty.
Meanwhile, fresh mozzarella is the type that originates from Italy. It is traditionally made with buffalo milk, but it is now made with cow’s milk. This cheese has a soft, creamy texture, which requires you to eat it quickly. It also tends to be wetter and can make your pizza soggy. Hence, it is essential to dry it and use it in the right pizza style.
Which mozzarella is best for melting?
If you are looking for mozzarella cheese that melts quickly, choose a variety with low moisture content.
You also want to look into the fat content of the cheese. The higher the fat content, the quicker it can melt. With that in mind, it is best to use whole-milk mozzarella instead of part-skim cheese.
Can I use any mozzarella for pizza?
In most cases, you can use any type of mozzarella cheese from your local grocery store when baking homemade pizza. It will likely be made from cow’s milk rather than buffalo, but it is still among the best cheese for pizzas.
Conclusion
That sums up this list of the best mozzarella cheese for your pizza! Each one makes for a great topping that can complement the crust and sauce.
But if I can only choose one to suggest, it would be the Happy Belly Shredded Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese. It uses low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella. It can melt quickly, ideal for pizzas, lasagna, and pasta. This cheese is already shredded and comes in a pouch that is resealable to ensure its freshness. Finally, it offers a creamy and saltier flavor that can enhance your pizza experience.
