Are you bored of using mozzarella cheese on pizza? Why don’t you try something new – after all, you have plenty of cheese in the market. Perhaps Swiss cheese?
But you might want to know if mozzarella vs. Swiss differ to make the right choice for the dish.
Mozzarella and Swiss cheese are very similar to each other, especially in the ingredients, nutrients, texture, and even sometimes the flavor. The differences are in appearance, color, and slightly on flavor. But you can use them in the same way for any dish. Both of them are healthy to eat as well.
What are the significant ways they differ? Read on to find out more about mozzarella and Swiss cheese.
Mozzarella vs. Swiss: Sneak Peak
Let’s first check out some significant differences between Mozzarella and Swiss Cheese.
| Properties | Mozzarella Cheese | Swiss Cheese |
| Make | It is made from buffalo milk and has a milky white color. | It is made from cow milk and has a light yellow color. |
| Flavor | Salt, creamy, and buttery. | Stronger flavor but is nutty and buttery. |
| The shape | is Usually sold in dome-shapes. | Usually sold in cylindrical shapes. |
| Texture | Smooth and round texture. | Smooth texture with some holes on the sides. |
| Nutrients | It has more calcium, vitamin A, and sodium. | It has more important minerals but is lower in fat and sodium. |
| Calorie | Lower calories. | Higher calories. |
| Cost | Cheap. | Expensive. |
Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella is your universally accepted cheese for pizzas and other similar dishes. It certainly has some characteristics to make it the perfect cheese.
Taste
Salt or no salt – mozzarella tastes a bit saltier. It might be because of the procedure of using rennet or vinegar to make it. These ingredients add salt during cheese-making. Fresh mozzarella may also have a somewhat bitter taste. It may also feel buttery to the tastebuds.
Melting Point
Since mozzarella is quite soft; it melts quickly from heat. It has a lower melting point. Sometimes you will find it almost melting at room temperature on a hot day.
Uses
The most common use is in making pizzas. But you can use a good load of mozzarella in other Italian dishes. Mainly it works for any recipe that needs baking or cooking, like quesadillas, pasta, etc.
Texture
Mozzarella is made of fresh buffalo milk to give a mild flavor and silky white outlook. Besides, it is made more quickly than Swiss cheese, so it has a semi-soft texture. Whether you use it as a chunk or shreds, it will offer a creamy texture to the dish.
Nutrition
Mozzarella has a lot of calcium and protein. As cheese, the fat content isn’t very high, but it’s more than Swiss cheese, almost 25% higher.
The reason is the buffalo milk extract.
Due to its higher fat content, mozzarella is also high in calories, increasing the calories in pizza. But interestingly, this is lower than Swiss cheese, at 85 only. The milkfat in mozzarella is lower even with the higher overall fat.
It is also a great source of vitamin A.
Swiss Cheese
Swiss chees is quite similar to mozzarella in different ways and works as a great substitute. But some facts might make you switch to Swiss cheese completely.
Taste
Swiss cheese has an almost similar flavor to mozzarella; if we compare Swiss cheese vs. mozzarella taste, only less salty. But it has a stronger taste than mozzarella. It tastes nutty and buttery.
Melting Point
The melting point is also similar, with slight differences that are barely noticeable. You need to understand that Swiss cheese melts quickly for any cooking. So you can use it for pizzas easily.
Uses
Other than pizzas, you can use Swiss cheese for any savory dish like calzones, sandwiches, or cheese sauce. Use it for any recipe where you need the cheese to melt faster and offer a creamy texture.
Texture
Swiss cheese is made of cow milk. It has holes all around, like the cheese we have seen in ‘Tom and Jerry.’
Bacteria P. Shermanii is the organism behind this appearance, releasing carbon dioxide to make holes. Swiss cheese also has a beautiful light yellow color and a smooth texture.
But this cheese is usually made by aging for a long time, giving it a soft texture to slice or shred.
Nutrition
Comparatively, Swiss cheese has better nutritional value than mozzarella. It has more calcium, sodium, zinc, and other essential minerals.
Besides, it has a lot more vitamins than mozzarella. However, due to more milkfat, if not overall fat, Swiss cheese has more calories, at 110. There are also more saturated fat and cholesterol from milk fat.
Which One is Healthier?
Cheese pizza is healthful. However, what would be the impact if you substituted it with Swiss cheese?
If we compare Swiss cheese vs. mozzarella nutrition, it seems that Swiss cheese is healthier. But how?
Firstly, the lower fat content. Swiss cheese has only 10% overall fat. You will gain more vitamins and minerals even if the calories are higher.
Although mozzarella and Swiss cheese are rich in protein and vitamins, Swiss cheese has more zinc. Besides, it is made of low-fat milk.
However, the differences in nutritional value are nearly negligible for both, so both kinds of cheese are healthy for eating overall. But if you are concerned with fat intake, go for Swiss cheese.
Can You Use Swiss Cheese for Mozzarella and Vice Versa?
Due to the similarities between Swiss and mozzarella, we can substitute Swiss for mozzarella. How about substituting mozzarella for Swiss cheese?
The overall flavor of nuttiness and buttery feel, as also the texture and melting point, make mozzarella perfect to use instead of Swiss cheese. When fresh mozzarella melts, you will hardly find the difference.
But you still need to ensure that the type of cheese works well for your dish.
Do Mozzarella and Swiss Go Together?
Since these are similar in characteristics, you might wonder whether they might work together.
As mozzarella is saltier than Swiss, sometimes adding them together can balance out this flavor. You will find a pizza that tastes amazing with all the bitter, salty, and nutty flavor combinations.
However, adding them together in pizzas or other dishes may make them overwhelming for your liking.
So, whether they work together or not depends on your preference. Keep the flavor in mind and balance out the proportions.
Pizza Recipe with Swiss Cheese
Regardless of your pizza, the recipe remains mostly the same as mozzarella. The only difference is in the amount of Swiss cheese. So, here is a simple recipe for you to try.
Ingredients
Like the recipe, the ingredients are also simple and easily available.
- Pizza dough
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 thinly sliced zucchini
- 1 mushroom
- Salt and pepper
- Thyme
- 2 cups of grated Swiss cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional)
- Pizza sauce.
Recipe
Follow the recipe now.
- Preheat the oven to 450 F and grease your pizza pan.
- Bake for around 10 minutes your pizza dough until golden brown.
- Prepare the crust. Add the sauce, cooked zucchini, and mushroom. Season with herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Now sprinkle the cheese on top and bake the pizza for around 10 minutes until the cheese melts.
Some Mozzarella Substitutes for Pizzas
various other cheese options can work great as substitutes for mozzarella other than Swiss cheese. They are used especially for pizza recipes.
Provolone Cheese
This is one of the favorite cheeses for a mozzarella substitute.
Provolone is sweeter and buttery than mozzarella and even a little tangy. So, it brings a new flavor to your pizza. But it works better for regular, aged mozzarella than fresh ones. Besides, we can use more slices of provolone for pizzas than mozzarella.
White Cheddar
For more flavor and that white, creamy texture, try white cheddar. It might be a harder cheese, but it still melts fast. All you have to do is use a fewer amount. In addition, use this cheese for meaty pizzas or those that take longer to bake.
Jarlsberg Cheese
If you are more concerned about the nutritional value of cheese, then this one is for you. It tastes sweet, buttery, a bit nutty, and melts easily. Other nutrients are very similar to mozzarella, except sodium which is higher in this one.
Use this one for vegetarian pizzas or those with minimal toppings, like Margherita pizza.
Ricotta Cheese,
Another great idea for creamy and gooey pizza, is ricotta, but less common. Ricotta is much sweeter and milder, making the pizza more flavorful from the toppings.
However, ricotta takes longer to melt, so better to pair it with a little mozzarella for the pizza. It will offer a different kick to the pizza with a crunch from cheese.
Monterey Jack
Last but not least, Monterey Jack has been a favorite for pizzas for quite a long time. It is also equally creamy and buttery like mozzarella but more flavorful. So your pizza will taste even better.
Can You Use Emmental Cheese for Pizzas?
Emmental cheese is another look-alike of Swiss cheese used in pizzas or similar dishes. It is soft, easy to melt, and works like mozzarella but a little sour. Mostly it is a great option for making cheese fondue. It doesn’t burn easily either from heat.
FAQ’s:
- What is the difference between Swiss and cheddar cheese?
Swiss cheese has more water, flavor, and aroma than cheddar. Besides, it is softer and melts easily. Cheddar might be sharper in taste but add a very creamy texture. Cheddar is mostly used for snacks and appetizers, whereas Swiss works for recipes that need melted cheese.
- How do Swiss cheese and Provolone differ?
The difference between them is in the taste. Swiss tastes nuttier and sweeter than Provolone. They work similarly for any recipe; thus, you can substitute them for one another. But provolone has more moisture.
- Is white American cheese the same as Swiss cheese?
They are not the same, although they have the same appearance. American cheese is heavily processed and milder. Besides, Swiss cheese has a firmer texture when used for cooking. They also have different uses.
Conclusion
mozzarella vs. swiss: what are the differences?
Even with the little differences, mozzarella and Swiss cheese are very similar. They have the same uses for different dishes. The right choice depends on your preference. However, you need to remember each property to integrate them into the right recipe.
Mostly, people opt for Swiss cheese for flavor, but for a budget-friendly and easier option, you have your old mozzarella. There are also other alternatives that you can use instead of cheese.
