Cream Cheese vs Mozzarella Cheese

Q: Is Cream Cheese the same as Mozzarella Cheese?

No. Cream Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese are distinct cheeses from United States and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Cream Cheese for Mozzarella Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Cream Cheese for Mozzarella Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Cream Cheese or Mozzarella Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Cream Cheese

Mozzarella Cheese

Cream Cheese is a fresh soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Mozzarella Cheese is soft, creamy and made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese is a soft, mild fresh cheese made from milk and cream, sold unripened rather than aged. It began in Chester, New York in the 1870s and is best known as the spread on a bagel.

What Is Mozzarella Cheese?

Mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese from southern Italy, made by stretching and kneading the curd. Cow's milk versions are called fior di latte, buffalo milk versions mozzarella di bufala, and it tops most pizza.

What's the Difference Between Cream Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese?

Origin: Cream Cheese (United States), Mozzarella Cheese (Italy)
Milk type: Cream Cheese (cow's milk), Mozzarella Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk)
Milk treatment: Cream Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Mozzarella Cheese (Pasteurized)
Texture: Cream Cheese (fresh soft, processed), Mozzarella Cheese (Soft, creamy)
Rind: Cream Cheese (rindless), Mozzarella Cheese (None)
Aging: Cream Cheese (unripened, eaten fresh), Mozzarella Cheese (Eaten fresh)
Taste: Cream Cheese (creamy, mild, sweet), Mozzarella Cheese (Mild, milky)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cream Cheese	Mozzarella Cheese
Country of Origin	United States	Italy
Specific Origin	Chester, New York, The U.S.	Southern Italy
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or unpasteurized	Pasteurized
Texture	Fresh soft, processed	Soft, creamy
Rind	Rindless	None
Aging	Unripened, eaten fresh	Eaten fresh
Taste	Creamy, mild, sweet	Mild, milky

Pairing Comparison

What works with each cheese: wines, foods, breads and more.

	Cream Cheese	Mozzarella Cheese
Pairs well with	Ginger, Salmon, Seaweed, Shrimp, Cod, Green Tea	Avocado, Chicken, Green Tea, Olives, Pesto, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Prosciutto, Sauvignon Blanc, Shrimp, Tomatoes, Tuna and more

Taste Comparison: Does Cream Cheese Taste Like Mozzarella Cheese?

Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while Mozzarella Cheese brings mild, milky character. On the nose, Cream Cheese offers fresh, pleasant, contrasted with Mozzarella Cheese's mild. Aging plays into this as well. Cream Cheese at unripened, eaten fresh develops a different profile than Mozzarella Cheese at eaten fresh.

Can You Substitute Cream Cheese for Mozzarella Cheese?

Cream Cheese can stand in for Mozzarella Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect fresh soft, processed bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, creamy. Flavor-wise, Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet while Mozzarella Cheese brings mild, milky notes.

Which Is Better, Cream Cheese or Mozzarella Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a fresh soft, processed cheese, go with Cream Cheese. For a soft, creamy profile, Mozzarella Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cream Cheese suits recipes that want creamy, mild, sweet notes, while Mozzarella Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, milky.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cream Cheese the same as Mozzarella Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cream Cheese originates in United States, while Mozzarella Cheese comes from Italy. Cream Cheese is made from cow milk; Mozzarella Cheese uses cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Cream Cheese is typically aged unripened, eaten fresh, Mozzarella Cheese eaten fresh.

Is Cream Cheese similar to Mozzarella Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Cream Cheese for Mozzarella Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Cream Cheese taste like Mozzarella Cheese?

Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while Mozzarella Cheese is mild, milky. Aromas also diverge. Cream Cheese leans fresh, pleasant, and Mozzarella Cheese is closer to mild.

What is Cream Cheese made of?

Cream Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized), using animal (chymosin, pepsin, rennet) in canada rennet. It's typically aged unripened, eaten fresh. It originates in United States.

What is Mozzarella Cheese made of?

Mozzarella Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (pasteurized), using calf's or microbial rennet. It's typically aged eaten fresh. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Cream Cheese or Mozzarella Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cream Cheese is fresh soft, processed, while Mozzarella Cheese is soft, creamy.