Yes, provolone is quite tasty on pizza, as it offers its own unique and dynamic flavor profile that is quite different from other popular cheeses like Mozzarella.
One of the most important elements to creating a mouthwatering homemade pizza is the cheese you use. Typically, when people think of the ideal cheese to pair with their go-to quick and easy pizza dough recipe, the first thing that comes to mind is mozzarella‒a classic, tried, and true choice.
But maybe you’ve wondered if provolone can be a tasty substitute for your favorite pizza cheese. This is what we’ll look to explore today as we go over all things provolone and how you might use it in your next homemade pizza adventure!
The Surprising Suitability of Provolone for Pizza
Provolone is an Italian stretched-curd cheese and is categorized in the semi-hard cheese family. What makes a cheese semi-hard depends on its density and firmness.
Some would argue that semi-hard cheeses aren’t typically ideal for pizza because they lack certain properties that are optimal for baking and don’t have taste profiles that pair well with pizza toppings. However, provolone is a bit of an outlier in that regard.
Provolone Cheese on Pizza: A Good Melty, Flavorful, and Freezer-Friendly Choice
What makes provolone a good cheese for pizza comes down to a few key factors:
- Melts evenly: Provolone has a good amount of moisture and fat content, allowing it to melt evenly without burning. This can make it great for baking and offers that creamy, gooey bite we all love.
- Pizza-friendly flavor profile: This can vary by person, but provolone’s flavor has a favorable taste with most people when it is combined with their favorite pizza toppings. Ingredients like pepperoni, sausage, tomato sauce, black olives, and mushrooms all complement provolone’s flavor profile.
- Stores well: For the meal preppers who like to freeze homemade pizza for later, provolone will store in your freezer for up to two months without losing too much of its flavor.
Using Provolone for Pizza
There is no right or wrong way to prepare your pizza with provolone. At the end of the day, it depends on your taste preferences. Here are some ways to incorporate provolone into your pizza:
Full Replacement
Provolone can be used as a total replacement for any cheese you’d normally find on a pizza. It has a tasty flavor that ranges from mild to sharp, depending on its age. Provolone is known for its nutty and salty undertones, which makes it a unique addition to any pizza.
Mozzarella Cheese Combination
Some pizza foodies think the taste of provolone doesn’t work as the sole cheese on a pizza. They believe the semi-hard cheese is best paired with mozzarella on pizzas.
Experiment With Quantity
Very few people complain about discovering provolone on their pizza, but experimenting with different amounts will help you dial in your perfect level of provolone cheesiness. Some prefer just a sprinkling for a hint of creaminess, while others enjoy generous amounts that create a rich and cheesy profile.
Pair With Complementary Toppings
You can try a combination of toppings to discover the match for your taste buds. When considering which toppings will best pair with provolone, consider flavors that complement its mild and slightly nutty taste.
Pepperoni tends to be quite popular because its spiciness adds balance to the creamy provolone. Mushrooms are also great, because they bring flavors that match the cheese’s mildness.
Redefining Pizza Crust Pairings
Provolone cheese is a great choice for pizza thanks to its texture and mild flavor that complements a wide variety of toppings. Don’t be afraid to experiment with amounts and combinations to create your perfect provolone pizza. If you want a little provolone inspiration, check out our recipe for delicious sausage and onion pizza!
