Cheese substitute, mozzarella
FDC 172198cup, shredded (113 g)
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Density 49 · +14 vs Dairy & eggs medianThis mozzarella-style cheese substitute scores 49 of 100, Fair band, and ranks 11 of 60 in Dairy & eggs, above the category's median of 35. It leans on an excellent 49% DV of vitamin A, an excellent 47% DV of calcium, and an excellent 23% DV of protein, with a good showing of potassium (10% DV) rounding out the profile.
It's designed as a drop-in replacement for shredded mozzarella on pizza, in melts, or baked into casseroles, and a cup shredded (113 grams) melts and behaves similarly to dairy cheese in most recipes. It runs high in sodium at 685 milligrams per 100 grams and high in sugars at 23.7 grams per 100 grams, both worth knowing before treating it as an everyday substitute rather than an occasional one.
See how this score is calculated, build a plate around cheese substitute, or compare it with another food.
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 248 kcal | 12% |
| Total fat | 12 g | 16% |
| Saturated fat | 3.7 g | 19% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 685 mg | 30% |
| Carbohydrate | 24 g | 9% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 24 g | |
| Protein | 12 g | 23% |
| Potassium | 455 mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 610 mg | 47% |
| Iron | 0.4 mg | 2% |
| Magnesium | 41 mg | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 437 µg | 49% |
| Vitamin E | 0.11 mg | 1% |
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 280 kcal | 14% |
| Total fat | 14 g | 18% |
| Saturated fat | 4.2 g | 21% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 774 mg | 34% |
| Carbohydrate | 27 g | 10% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 27 g | |
| Protein | 13 g | 26% |
| Potassium | 514 mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 689 mg | 53% |
| Iron | 0.45 mg | 3% |
| Magnesium | 46 mg | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 0.11 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 494 µg | 55% |
| Vitamin E | 0.12 mg | 1% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
FDC 172198Original analysis by NutriVerdict
What it is rich in
Nutrients supplying at least 10% of the Daily Value per 100 grams. 20% or more is an excellent source.
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Versus the dairy & eggs median
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
More nutrient-dense swaps
Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.
Milk, reduced fat, fluid, 2% milkfat, with added vitamin A and vitamin DDensity 50 vs 49Egg, whole, cooked, hard-boiledDensity 56 vs 49Sour cream, fat freeDensity 59 vs 49Original analysis by NutriVerdict
In the kitchen and how to use it
This mozzarella-style cheese substitute is a non-dairy or partial-dairy alternative made to melt, stretch and shred like real mozzarella, formulated for pizza, lasagna, grilled sandwiches and other melted-cheese applications. It typically relies on plant oils, starches and protein isolates in place of some or all of the milk fat and casein found in traditional mozzarella, which is why its flavor is milder and its melt can behave a little differently under high heat. It shreds and layers into baked dishes the same way regular mozzarella does, making it a straightforward swap in recipes that call for shredded mozzarella.
Sold shredded in bags, it should be kept refrigerated and resealed tightly after opening to prevent the shreds from clumping or drying out. Per 100 g it carries 248 calories, 11.5 g protein and notably 49% DV vitamin A and 47% DV calcium, both strong for a cheese-style product. Its 23.7 g sugar per 100 g is unusually high for a cheese and points to added starches or fillers in the formulation, worth noting for anyone comparing it directly to conventional mozzarella, which typically carries far less sugar.
Frequently asked questions about cheese substitute
How many calories are in mozzarella cheese substitute?
About 248 calories per 100 g, or roughly 280 calories in a 113 g cup of the shredded product.
Is mozzarella cheese substitute a good source of calcium?
Yes, it provides about 47% of the Daily Value for calcium per 100 g, along with 49% DV vitamin A.
Why does this cheese substitute have more sugar than regular mozzarella?
Its 23.7 g sugar per 100 g likely comes from starches or fillers used to replace some of the milk fat and casein in traditional cheese.