Are you looking for a delicious substitute for burrata cheese?
Often, top-notch dishes require high-quality ingredients like burrata cheese to make them perfect.
Unfortunately, some home cooks may not have access to this specialty item at their local grocery store.
Don’t worry – plenty of delicious substitutes out there can bring just as much flavor and texture to your meal!
We’ll explore several alternatives here so you can still create an amazing dish even without burrata in the house.
What Is Burrata Cheese?
Burrata cheese is a type of fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream.
The outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside contains a soft, luscious filling of cream and pieces of mozzarella curd mixed with butter and sometimes salt.
It has a creamy texture and mild flavor that makes it an ideal accompaniment to salads, pasta, pizzas, and more.
Burrata can also be used as a topping for bruschetta or crostini.
It’s an excellent source of protein and calcium, and it pairs well with white wines such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
Additionally, Burrata cheese can be served with fruit, drizzled with honey or olive oil, and herbs for a sweet and savory snack.
Substitutes For Burrata Cheese
If you don’t have burrata cheese on hand, there are several options to substitute for it:
Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese is a soft, Italian-style curd cheese made from whey leftover from the production of other cheeses.
Ricotta cheese has a mild flavor and creamy texture, making it an ideal substitute for Burrata cheese.
It can be used in savory dishes like lasagne or ravioli and in sweet desserts like cannoli.
It is also great for cheesecakes, pizza, and other baked goods.
Ricotta cheese has high levels of protein and calcium, making it a nutritious choice for those looking to increase their dairy intake.
Additionally, it contains fewer calories than Burrata cheese so it can be used as a healthier option.
Ricotta cheese is readily available in most grocery stores and can be used as an alternative to Burrata cheese in any recipe.
Mascarpone Cheese
Mascarpone cheese is an Italian cream cheese made from cow’s milk or heavy cream.
It has a rich and creamy texture, similar to Burrata cheese.
The flavor is slightly sweet with hints of nuttiness and tanginess.
Mascarpone can substitute for Burrata in recipes such as pasta dishes, pizzas, and sandwiches.
It can also be used as a topping for fruits, desserts, and even savory dishes.
Its creamy texture makes it an ideal replacement for Burrata in any recipe that requires a light and fluffy cheese.
However, it lacks the same intense flavor as Burrata, so some recipes may require more seasoning to replicate the taste.
While Burrata is an artisanal cheese with a unique flavor, Mascarpone can be used as a substitute in many recipes.
Plus, it’s much easier and cheaper to find than Burrata!
Bocconcini Cheese
Bocconcini cheese is a fresh Italian cheese made from cow’s milk. It is soft, mild and creamy due to its high moisture content.
Bocconcini can be used as a substitute for Burrata cheese because it is similarly creamy and has a similar texture.
Bocconcini also has a delicate taste, making it a popular choice for salads, appetizers and other light dishes.
It can also be used in cooking as part of pasta dishes, risottos or pizza toppings.
Bocconcini is generally sold in small balls or cubes that are about the size of an egg or smaller.
The flavor is slightly salty and mild, with a hint of sweetness.
It is usually served fresh, but can also be lightly cooked or grilled for extra flavor.
Stracciatella Cheese
Stracciatella cheese is a type of Italian fresh cheese made with thin shreds or strands of mozzarella in cream.
It has a rich, creamy texture but lacks the milky sweetness that Burrata cheese typically has.
Because Stracciatella cheese does not require fermentation and aging like Burrata, it can be used as a substitute when time is of the essence.
Stracciatella cheese has a milder flavor than Burrata and is often used as an ingredient in recipes to provide creaminess without overpowering other flavors.
It can also be enjoyed plain with bread or crackers, making it a suitable alternative for those who prefer milder cheeses.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a soft, smooth and spreadable cheese made from cow’s milk.
It originated in the United States and is now enjoyed worldwide.
Cream cheese has a mild, slightly tangy flavor that lends itself to both sweet and savory applications.
Its creamy texture is often used as an ingredient in cheesecakes, frostings, cheeseball appetizers and dips.
It can also substitute for burrata cheese when making dishes like lasagna or pasta bake.
The mild flavor of cream cheese with its creamy texture is the perfect match for the tangy, buttery flavor of burrata that gives recipes added depth and richness.
Additionally, cream cheese is much easier to find in stores than burrata, making it an ideal substitute.
Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella cheese is an Italian cheese made from buffalo milk or cow’s milk.
It is characteristically soft, mild-tasting, and has a slightly grainy texture.
Mozzarella cheese is commonly used in pizza and other dishes such as lasagna and sandwiches.
Its unique flavor and versatility make it a great substitute for Burrata cheese.
Burrata is an Italian cheese made from cow’s, sheep’s or goat’s milk. It has a delicate, creamy texture and a mild flavor.
It can be served as an appetizer or added to salads and pasta dishes.
Mozzarella can mimic the texture of Burrata, but with its mild flavor, it is best when paired with other strong flavors such as pesto or sun-dried tomatoes.
It also melts well, making it an ideal substitute for Burrata in dishes like pizza and lasagna.
Cashew Cheese
Cashew cheese is a vegan substitute for dairy-based Burrata cheese.
This cheese is made from soaked cashews that have been blended with other ingredients, such as nutritional yeast and salt, to create a creamy, savory flavor similar to the classic Italian cheese.
Cashew cheese can be used in sandwiches, salads, pasta or pizzas and can be used as a dip or spread.
It is also a great source of healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Cashew cheese provides many of the same benefits as regular dairy Burrata cheese, but without any animal products and with fewer calories.
Many vegans choose to use cashew cheese instead of traditional cheeses in order to reduce their calorie intake and still enjoy the same flavors.
Cashew cheese is also an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and other essential minerals.
Feta Cheese
Feta cheese is a brined curd cheese traditionally made with sheep or goat’s milk. It can also be made from cow’s milk in some areas.
Feta has a salty, tangy flavor and crumbly texture, making it distinctive.
It is commonly used as a topping on salads, sandwiches or crumbled topping on pizza.
Feta can also be grilled or sautéed for use in other dishes.
Although Burrata is usually made from cow’s milk, feta has a stronger flavor that can complement dishes heavy on cheese.
Feta also has a lower fat content than Burrata, making it a healthier choice.
However, because of its stronger flavor, feta may require more seasoning to achieve the desired taste when used as a substitute for Burrata.
Additionally, if a recipe calls for melting the cheese, feta may not be the best choice due to its crumbly texture.
FAQs
Does Ricotta Resemble Burrata?
No, ricotta and burrata are two distinctly different kinds of cheese.
Ricotta is a light, creamy cheese made from heated whey and then strained.
Burrata is an Italian fresh cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The texture of ricotta is grainy, while burrata has a soft, creamy texture.
Are Mozzarella And Burrata Interchangeable?
Yes, mozzarella and burrata are interchangeable. Both kinds of cheese have a creamy texture.
However, Mozzarella has a mild, milky flavor, and Burrata is more buttery with a hint of sweetness.
Does Burrata Resemble Cottage Cheese?
Burrata is often confused with cottage cheese, but they are two different types of cheese.
Burrata is an Italian cheese made from a combination of mozzarella and cream that forms a creamy, soft center when cut open.
Cottage cheese, conversely, is made with curdled milk, resulting in a texture more similar to yogurt than cheese.
Conclusion
Burrata cheese can be a flavorful and creamy addition to many dishes, but it is not always accessible or available.
Fortunately, there are several options to substitute burrata cheese that can help you create delicious dishes while still maintaining the flavor profile of Burrata cheese.
Whether you opt for Stracciatella, cream cheese, mozzarella, feta or even cashew cheese, there is a perfect substitute for every recipe.
