Cheddar and mozzarella are two of the most popular kinds of cheese out there, and it’s very unlikely that you have never heard of either of them. But that doesn’t have to necessarily mean that you can tell them apart.
In fact, many people wouldn’t be able to do so, and some people may even think that they’re the same thing! But that couldn’t be more wrong.
So what is the difference between cheddar and mozzarella? The most significant difference between cheddar and mozzarella is that cheddar is aged for at least two months, while mozzarella isn’t often aged at all. Thus, cheddar has a sharper and stronger taste.
This is hardly everything there is to say about the differences between cheddar and mozzarella, though. That’s why we shouldn’t be wasting any more time, so let’s just jump right into it!
Table of Contents
- What is the difference between cheddar and mozzarella cheese?
- Which is better mozzarella, or cheddar cheese?
- Can I substitute cheddar for mozzarella and vice versa?
- Is cheddar or mozzarella worse for you?
- Which cheese is better for pizza, mozzarella or cheddar?
- Can you mix cheddar and mozzarella cheese?
- Often asked questions
- Summary
- Resources
What is the difference between cheddar and mozzarella cheese?
Mozzarella is a soft kind of cheese from Italy, traditionally made from buffalo’s milk (nowadays, it isn’t rare for the mozzarella to be made out of cow’s milk, though). It can often be seen served fresh, although sometimes it is laid to age for two weeks.
On the other hand, Cheddar is a hard type of cheese that originated in a small village Cheddar in England. It can be made just out of cow’s milk and aged for anywhere between two months and a year. And some unique kinds of cheddar can even be aged for decades!
Cheddar vs. mozzarella taste
Because of the differences in their aging time, cheddar has a lot stronger flavor than mozzarella. It is sharp (and this is especially true for the longer aging cheddar) and pungent. Quite the contrary, mozzarella’s taste is mild and milky.
Cheddar vs. mozzarella melting
Since mozzarella is a soft, fresh kind of cheese, it melts nicely. It can be said that these excellent melting qualities of mozzarella are what makes it so famous!
Ańd even though cheddar is a considerably hard kind of cheese, it melts extremely well too. Nevertheless, it is wise to shred the cheese with cheddar to ensure the best results.
Cheddar vs. mozzarella fat
Another important thing about different kinds of cheese is their fat content. So how is it with mozzarella and cheddar? It differs by a specific product in concrete numbers, but it is sure mozzarella contains less fat than cheddar.
Cheddar vs. mozzarella price
Both cheddar and mozzarella are relatively cheap kinds of cheese. This varies a lot, but in general, it can be said that you can get a pound of both of them for somewhere around 8 dollars.
Cheddar vs. mozzarella uses
Because cheddar and mozzarella melt similarly, their uses don’t differ that much. Both can be used to make meals like toasts and pizza, with cheddar also making an awesome topping for pasta dishes.
The most significant difference in cheddar’s and mozzarella’s culinary uses will then be the fact that mozzarella is most often used in Italian cuisine. Cheddar, on the other hand, has its home in the United Kingdom.
Cheddar vs. mozzarella nutrition
Now let’s take a look at the nutrition values of cheddar and mozzarella, shall we? You can check them out in this table:
| Cheddar | Mozarella | |
| Calories | 402 | 300 |
| Total fat | 33g | 22g |
| Carbohydrates | 1.3g | 2.2g |
| Protein | 25g | 22g |
| Cholesterol | 105mg | 79mg |
| Sodium | 621mg | 627mg |
Which is better mozzarella, or cheddar cheese?
It can’t be said whether it is better mozzarella or cheddar because this depends just and only on you. But, to help you choose, you will probably prefer cheddar if you’re more about the sharp, really cheesy flavor.
On the contrary, if the thing you’re looking for is a fresh, mild taste with milky undertones, mozzarella will surely suit you better.
Can I substitute cheddar for mozzarella and vice versa?
Yey, you can substitute cheddar for mozzarella and vice versa. That’s because they both melt nearly in the same way.
Still, they’re not the same kinds of cheese, with cheddar having a much sharper flavor than mozzarella. Therefore, not expect to get the same results.
Is cheddar or mozzarella worse for you?
Regarding health, cheddar is worse for you than mozzarella. That’s because it contains more fat and cholesterol. Additionally, cheddar also has significantly more calories than mozzarella.
Which cheese is better for pizza, mozzarella or cheddar?
Generally, it can be said four kinds of cheese are used to make pizza, and both mozzarella and cheddar are one of them (the other two being provolone and parmesan). Therefore, this is just up on your tastebuds.
If you want a tip, though, we recommend sticking to the classic mozzarella. There’s simply a reason this is still the number one cheese for pizza (some people say even half of the pizza around the world is made using mozzarella!).
Can you mix cheddar and mozzarella cheese?
With that being said, though, there may be an even better choice – mixing both cheddar and mozzarella together! That way, it seems, you get both the mozzarella’s awesome texture and the strong cheesy cheddar flavor on your pizza at the same time!
So yes, you can mix cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and it is delicious.
Often asked questions
Cheddar or mozzarella for pasta?
There’s a decent amount of popular pasta kinds of cheese, with cheddar and mozzarella being some of the top ones. Hence, you won’t make a mistake by picking either of these.
Why use just one, though? Instead, mix your cheddar and mozzarella, and you will get a result you won’t forget!
Cheddar or mozzarella for lasagna?
Tons of kinds of cheese are options for making lasagna, but cheddar isn’t really one of them. Mozzarella, on the other, is actually the arguably most popular one.
Therefore, mozzarella is undoubtedly better for making lasagna than cheddar.
Cheddar or mozzarella for a sandwich?
Both cheddar and mozzarella are excellent choices for sandwich cheese. The best way can even be mixing both mozzarella and cheddar so that you’ll get both the intense flavor and stretchy texture.
Cheddar or mozzarella for nachos?
Many kinds of cheese can be used for nachos, and even though mozzarella is one of them, it isn’t used as commonly as cheddar.
Cheddar or mozzarella for spaghetti?
There are many kinds of cheese to put on spaghetti, and mozzarella and cheddar are among them.
Therefore, the choice depends only on you, but if you want our tip, we must say that we prefer cheddar over mozzarella for spaghetti.
Cheddar or mozzarella for mac and cheese?
Both mozzarella and cheddar are commonly used to make mac and cheese. They’re probably the two most used kinds of cheese for this. Therefore, you can choose either of them.
Don’t choose just one, though, and use a mix of mozzarella and cheddar instead if you want it to be fancy. That way, it will be simply fantastic!
Summary
Cheddar and mozzarella are two very different kinds of cheese because mozzarella is often served fresh, while cheddar ages for at least three months, often even a year.
However, they share some culinary uses. That’s because they melt in a reasonably similar manner. Nevertheless, they are used in different cuisines (although nowadays they’re both famous around the whole world).
Mozzarella is an Italian kind of cheese and is, therefore, primarily used in Italy. Cheddar, on the other hand, comes from England. Hence, it is a kind of cheese tightly associated with the United Kingdom.
Related:
- Monterey Jack vs Mozzarella
- Monterey Jack vs Pepper Jack
- Monterey Jack vs Cheddar Cheese
- Provolone vs Mozzarella
- Cheese Curds vs Mozzarella Sticks
Resources
Image credits – Canva
