Best Cheese for Pizza (11 Perfect Types)

You can’t have pizza without ooey-gooey, soft, salty, and creamy cheese. But what is the best cheese for pizza? 

Well, opinions differ depending on who you ask and where you are!

Are you looking for a good melting cheese that gets nice and brown on top?

What about a salty cheese that adds tons of flavor to your pizza? You can even choose an extra creamy cheese to top it off. 

There are so many different types of cheese, and they all taste and act a little differently. That’s what’s so exciting about them!

But be warned, if you weren’t already craving a slice of pizza, you will be soon.

In fact, I doubt you’ll make it halfway through this list of best cheese for pizza before you have your phone in hand. 

Top 10+ Cheeses for Pizza

1. Mozzarella 

Mozzarella cheese is likely the most popular and well-known cheese used for pizza.

It has a yummy yet mild flavor. It melts well. And it pairs nicely with lots of other flavors. 

Mozzarella cheese is a creamy cheese that gets a deliciously brown top when cooked.

Low-moisture mozzarella has a long shelf-life while fresh mozzarella needs to be consumed rather quickly.  

You can sprinkle shredding mozzarella all over a pizza for that traditional melty goodness.

You can also scatter dollops of fresh mozzarella on top either before or after cooking. 

However you use it, mozzarella is a fantastic cheese choice for your pizza. 

2. Provolone

Provolone is another wonderful choice of cheese when it comes to pizza.

It’s more than just sandwich cheese and the way it melts is ideal for a super cheesy pizza. 

Provolone is often used along with mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano. It’s a semi-firm cheese that melts well and has great flavor. 

Young Provolone is pretty sweet and mild, however, it does sharpen as it ages.

It also tends to get a bit crumbly thanks to developing salt crystals. 

Try using young Provolone as the main event.

You can also crumble or grate some aged Provolone on top, just like you would with Parmesan.

Keep the toppings simple on a Provolone pizza. Add fresh tomatoes and basil for an aromatic and tasty pie. 

3. Cheddar

Cheddar cheese is known for its sharp flavor and (commonly) yellow color.

It can usually be easily identified and often stands out in a crowd of cheeses. 

Salt crystals within the cheese contribute to that distinctive cheddar flavor you know and love. 

Despite its strong presence, cheddar cheese actually pairs well with a lot of other flavors. 

It’s a great addition to both mild and spicy ingredients. It adds flavor to any recipe and is a great garnish for so many dishes. 

Cheddar can be used for all kinds of pizzas. It’s perfect for modern pies like cheeseburger or mac and cheese pizzas. 

Since the flavors of cheddar are so beloved, try adding it to your pizza. 

4. Parmesan 

Parmesan cheese is often a favorite pizza garnish.

It adds a salty finish to your pie and tastes fantastic with so many ingredients. 

Traditionally, Parmesan is used as a finishing cheese for pizza.

It’s often paired with mozzarella, cheddar, or other melty cheeses. 

Since it’s not always great for melting, it isn’t typically used as a base cheese for pizza.

However, it can be used in a cheese blend to add flavor to your cheesy pizza. 

You can also try adding Parmigiano-Reggiano which is a special type of Parmesan.

It’s aged for 36 months at a time. It has notes of brown butter, roasted hazelnuts, and a salty finish.

One of my favorite pizzas to add Parmesan to is Hawaiian pizza.

The salty cheese is a lovely contrast with sweet pineapple and ham. 

If you’re feeling fancy, shave it on top of a pizza with prosciutto and fresh arugula.

Alternatively, grate it on top of any pizza for an extra tasty bite. 

5. Gouda

Gouda is a type of Dutch cheese that has a very distinct flavor.

Depending on how long it is aged, Gouda can have varying flavors and textures. 

If you prefer a strong Gouda flavor, choose a variety that has been aged for longer.

Young Gouda is very mild and will not have that typical bold flavor. 

Aged Gouda tends to be a bit more crumbly as well.

You may even find cheese crystals inside of it. This just means the cheese has aged nicely.

The flavors of gouda pair really nicely with meat lovers’ pizzas. It tastes incredible with pulled pork, sausage, or pepperoni. 

Gouda is a scrumptious cheese if you want to start trying new cheeses on your pies. 

6. Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is another mild cheese that melts well and tastes great with everything.

It would be ideal for switching up your pizza recipe or replacing mozzarella. 

Monterey Jack is often just called Jack and can even be infused with peppers – aka, Pepper Jack.

It’s delicious if you want to add a little spice to your pizza. 

If you have a pizza with boldly flavored toppings, Monterey Jack is the perfect cheese.

Plus, it will give you one super Instagram-worthy cheese pull. 

Use Monterey Jack cheese along with tangy toppings like barbeque chicken or Southwestern flavors.

And if you’re not in the States, check out this post for Monterey Jack cheese substitutes.

7. Goat Cheese

Although goat cheese is not a melting cheese, it’s great for adding flavor and texture.

Goat cheese is really creamy and I love the tangy flavor. 

It’s an elegant addition to pizza and pairs wonderfully with veggies and herbs. 

Aside from flavor, goat cheese is often seen as healthier cheese than cow’s milk cheeses.

It has fewer calories and offers more vitamin A and B levels, along with more calcium. 

If you’re lactose intolerant, add goat cheese to your pizza so you won’t have to miss out. 

Pair goat cheese with sweet ingredients like caramelized onions for a sophisticated pie. This cheese is definitely worth a try. 

8. Ricotta

Ricotta is another super soft cheese that is a lovely addition to pizzas.

While it’s not a cheese that melts, its fluffy texture is delightful. 

Ricotta cheese is also a healthier choice for your pizza topping pleasure.

It’s a great source of protein and is lower in fat. 

This cheese is often placed on top of other gooey cheeses like mozzarella or provolone.

It also mellows out spicy ingredients and adds a hint of sweetness. 

I love adding ricotta cheese to white pizzas or pies with spinach.

Bianca pizza is usually loaded with ricotta and it tastes heavenly. 

Ricotta also works really well for a simple pizza with olive oil and Italian herbs. 

9. Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is a luxurious cheese with a strong aroma and creamy texture.

It’s made from cow’s milk and is a blue marbled cheese.  

This soft and crumbly cheese has an intense flavor without being completely overpowering.

Gorgonzola also melts quickly so it is a fantastic choice for pizza. 

The flavors also intensify as it ages. Younger varieties are much milder with the same nutty and sharp flavors. 

Gorgonzola pairs well with sweet and salty ingredients.

Try it on a pizza with prosciutto and caramelized onions for a flavor explosion. 

You can also try it with a drizzle of honey or figs for a sweet and savory experience. 

10. Gruyere

Gruyere is a Swiss cheese that’s commonly found on cheese boards and in rich fondue.

It’s easy to spot with the signature holes that most Swiss cheeses have. 

It’s a cow’s milk cheese with lots of flavor and a delectable texture.

Gruyere is usually aged for at least six months to develop its unique flavors. 

I’d say Gruyere is a really well-balanced cheese. It’s sweet, salty, and nutty.

While it’s usually a more expensive cheese, I think it’s worth it. 

Fancy cheese calls for fancy pizza. Try it with fig preserves and fresh arugula.

You can also pair it with caramelized onions and bacon!

11. Burrata

A pizza with a giant ball of Burrata is a decadent one. It’s a dreamy and creamy cheese that will not disappoint. 

Burrata is a somewhat new variety of cheese. It was first created in Italy in the 1920s. 

This cheese has a similar appearance to fresh mozzarella but the inside is much different.

The outside is stretchy, soft, and chewy. It envelopes an incredibly creamy inside. 

When it’s placed on a pizza, it’s left whole. The insides of the burrata will spill out and cover the whole thing in delicious curds. 

I think burrata could be added to any pizza. It’s even better with salty meats.

If you love red chili peppers on your pizza, make it fancy. Add chili oil to your burrata-topped pie.