Five ways to an irresistible cheese pizza

The perfect pizza doesn’t have to be complicated.

There are countless ways to combine toppings and achieve delicious results, yet the straightforward, unadorned cheese slice will always remain a popular option. Cheese offers a spectrum of flavors from mild and creamy to sharp and complex. Sometimes, it’s just right to appreciate them fully and without competition from a host of other ingredients.

Mozzarella will always be king as the base pizza cheese for its superb melt and signature elasticity. Yet other cheeses also work remarkably well as a topping, and combinations can create a variety of exciting tastes.

If you’re among those who find cheese pizzas boring, it might just mean you’re not doing it right. Give one of these combinations a try and rediscover the simple, but amazing flavors of a great cheese pizza:

1. Mozzarella, provolone and parmesan: It’s a classic combination. These Italian cheeses belong together, and pizza is the perfect dish to demonstrate how well each complements the others. Mozzarella provides a creamy, fresh flavor and the perfect stretch while provolone and parmesan bring an additional layer of flavor. Provolone is creamy, buttery and carries a piquant note, bringing a dash of intensity to the slice. Parmesan adds a sharp and tangy note. Grate the parmesan onto the pie after baking for the best results.

2. Mozzarella and cheddar: Cheddar is a simple, yet effective way to turn up the flavor on your everyday cheese pizza. Cheddar’s nutty taste and sharpness brings a richer dynamic to pizza when paired with the more neutral flavor of mozzarella. Cheddar doesn’t hold up well to high heat, so use smaller amounts in comparison to your mozzarella and bake at a lower temperature.

3. Gouda and cheddar: They’re a popular combo in hearty bowl of mac and cheese. Why not bring those favorites together in another format? Gouda is a great melting cheese and can therefore hold its own on top of a pizza crust. It has a rich and aromatic flavor with a caramel-like finish. Cheddar’s sharpness serves as the perfect complement.

4. Monterey jack and feta: Monterey jack melts well, making it a great pizza cheese. Feta, meanwhile, is quickly becoming an American favorite and provides a delicious contrast to jack’s mild and buttery taste. Feta carries a salty, tangy taste and its crumbly texture brings a new element to the mouthfeel of your slice.

5. Muenster and Feta: Muenster’s superior melt is enough to give it a high spot on the list of great pizza cheeses. Its mild, buttery taste also offers a nice alternative to the standard mozzarella while its pale orange color provides an appetizing visual element to your pie. Feta’s piquant bite yields a bright contrast, completing a pizza that’s bursting with flavor.