Pepperoni pizza is one of the most popular pizza types in the county. However, pepperoni is not the only ingredient of this pizza type – after all, there can be no good pizza without good cheese as a base. But what cheese to use for a pepperoni pizza?
Mozzarella is the best cheese you can use for pepperoni pizza. However, there are many other cheese types that can go well with this pizza. Provolone, cheddar, ricotta, Swiss cheese, or even goat cheese can all provide a delicious pepperoni pizza base.
If you want to know more about these cheese types and how they can blend with the unique pepperoni flavor, don’t miss reading the following article.
The Best Cheese to Use for Pepperoni Pizza Is Mozzarella
Mozzarella is the ultimate choice for many amateurs and professional pizza makers, and for a good reason. It’s minimally processed cheese that offers a creamy texture and a fresh, mild taste. If you’re looking for a cheese type whose light taste won’t overpower the pepperoni, then mozzarella is the right choice.
On the other hand, If you’re searching for the best brand for your homemade pepperoni pizza, Galbani mozzarella cheese should be one of your top choices since it’s one of the highest-quality brands on the market. When it comes to the type of mozzarella Galbani offers, go with low-moisture mozzarella since it shreds and melts perfectly.
Provolone Is the Second Best Choice
Provolone is a semi-hard Italian cheese with a sweet and mild taste very similar to what mozzarella offers – but only when it’s young provolone in question. Aged provolone becomes sharper in taste and holds a much drier texture. Both of these can be a good choice for pepperoni pizza – which one you will choose is a matter of your taste.
However, keep in mind that provolone achieves dark brown color pretty fast, contrary to mozzarella. Therefore, be careful about how long you plan to bake the pizza so it doesn’t appear burnt out.
If You Like a Sharper Taste, Go With Cheddar
Many professional and home chefs like to experiment with a not-so-common pizza base – cheddar. It possesses quite a unique and rich earthy taste that goes well with pepperoni, but only if you like a bit spicier flavor. However, due to lower elasticity, cheddar blisters more than mozzarella, and it doesn’t take heat well.
Therefore, if you wish to add a unique and rich cheddar flavor and color to the pizza, the best choice is to mix it with creamy cheese types, such as mozzarella. That way, you’ll be able to achieve a flavorsome base with a perfect texture.
Other Cheese Alternatives You Can Try
Of course, these are not the only cheese types you can choose from when making a pepperoni pizza. Take a look at the table below for other honorable mentions and their most important features:
| Type | Flavor | Browning Capability | Melting Ability | Stretchiness | Moisture Content |
| Parmesan | Slightly sweet and nutty | Very high | Very low | Very low | Low |
| Gouda | Smokey and buttery | Medium to dark | Low to medium | Low | Medium to high |
| Goat Cheese | Earthy and tart | Light to medium | Low to medium | Low | High to very high |
| Gruyere | Sweet and nutty | Medium | High | High | Medium |
| Ricotta | Slightly sweet and milky | Light | Very low | Low | Very high |
Try Vegan Cheese if You Plan On Making Vegan Pepperoni Pizza
Vegan pepperoni pizza is a thing, believe it or not, and the main ingredient used for its making is plant-based soy-free pepperoni. These pepperoni slices are actually invented by Pizza Hut’s team and Beyond Meat, a well-known vegan brand. They are made from peas and rice, with just a hint of spice – and zero animal products.
However, if you want to make vegan pepperoni pizza, you’ll also need vegan pizza cheese. It’s a cheese substitute made without dairy. Instead of milk, the most commonly used ingredients are beans, nuts, soy, or seeds. That being said, when looking for the best solution for vegan pepperoni pizza, I suggest you go with cashew mozzarella cheese.
Best Recipe for Pepperoni Pizza – With Mozzarella Cheese
Making delicious pepperoni pizza at home is very easy – as long as you have the right recipe by your side. If you wish to prepare a meal that rivals one of the best delivery pizzas, here is what you’re going to need:
- Pre-made pizza dough – two 16 oz pieces,
- Fresh mozzarella – 1 pound, slices into rounds off about ¼ inches,
- Pepperoni slices – ½ pound,
- Pizza sauce – 5 oz,
- Fresh basil.
Before you start preparing the ingredients, preheat the oven to 350°F. Next, place the pizza dough on a floured surface, knead it into a round pizza shape, and then transfer the crust to baking sheets. Place pizza sauce on top and spread it evenly, but leave an inch exposed on the sides.
Layer mozzarella and pepperoni slices on the dough – it would be best to go back and forth from pepperoni to mozzarella in order to achieve a fanned effect. Once you finish with layering, place the pizza in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Keep in mind that the crust needs to have a nice golden brown color, and the mozzarella needs to melt.
After you remove the pizza from the oven, add chopped basil on top (or leave it whole) and serve. It’s really that simple!
Choose the Cheese Type Which Best Suits Your Taste Buds
As you can see, different cheese types have not only different flavors but also texture, melting and stretching ability, and browning capability. Although many people prefer mozzarella as the base for pepperoni pizza, know that there are other delicious cheese types that can mix well with pepperoni.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type you like the most. It’s true that you can never go wrong with a high-quality mozzarella, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other flavors, either.