How Much Does Mozzarella Cheese Cost?

Last Updated on October 12, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Mozzarella is a type of unfermented cheese with a slightly sweet, fine, and creamy flavor that bears the imprint of milk. It appeared in Naples in the 16th century. Although the original recipe states that mozzarella is made only from buffalo milk, today it is also obtained from cow’s milk or even goat’s milk.

Along with pasta and pizza, mozzarella is one of Italy’s culinary signatures. Almost 95% of Italians eat mozzarella at least once a month, either as such just with olive oil, or as an ingredient in salads, pasta, pizza, etc. The association of Italian farmers, Coldiretti (Confederazione Nazionale Coltivatori Diretti), shows that in Italy over 164 million kilograms of mozzarella are bought annually, a quantity that is no longer reached by any other type of cheese.

How much does mozzarella cheese cost per pound?

The price for one pound of fresh whole milk mozzarella cheese starts at $7 and can go up to $15.

You will usually pay around $10 for a pound of fresh mozzarella from Murray’s cheese.

On the other hand, the price paid for an 8 oz to 16 oz container of shredded cheese ranges from $5 to $8.  For example, Walmart.com offers Kraft Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese, 8 oz for approximately $5,68. Usually, you find this kind of cheese at most stores. Mozzarella cheese comes pre-shredded to save you prep time and easily blends in a variety of dishes. The bag is resealable to help you keep the cheese fresh and prevent it from drying out or absorbing unwanted odors from the refrigerator.

If you want to buy cheese in bulk, Sam’s Club is your best bet. They sell a five-pound bag of shredded cheese for around $15. At Walmart, you will usually pay around $6 for an 8-ounce bag of low-moisture part-skim mozzarella.

Mozzarella cheese kits can cost anywhere from $25 to as much as $90. For example, the Roaring Brook Dairy Mozzarella Cheese Making Kit costs $27.

Factors that influence the price

Assortment

There are a lot of different types and varieties of mozzarella cheese, such as aged, unaged, or smoked. It can even be made with skim milk to reduce the fat content.

The amount of cheese

For instance, a 6-portion case would be more than just one pound of cheese.

Form

When looking for mozzarella cheese in the supermarket, you’ll usually find it shredded. But they can be bought as a bar or packed in boxes of various sizes and shapes.

Mozzarella cheese details

The majority of mozzarella cheese is made from pasteurized milk, a mixture of cheese cultures and salt. It also contains enzymes, potato starch, calcium sulfate (used as a food additive), and natamycin (antimicrobial). Furthermore, it has 22% saturated fat and 15 mg cholesterol per serving size.

Shredding mozzarella cheese yourself gives you more control over the final product. This means that it can also be sold in large bricks that need to be cut by hand before being used as toppings on pizzas and other dishes such as lasagna. If purchased from a deli, they can either shred it for you or slice it into different thicknesses to accommodate your needs. Alternatively, this type of cheese can also come pre-shredded so people do not have an extra work step when cooking with it.

You might also like our articles about the cost of cheesecake, spaghetti, or lasagna.

You will usually not be disappointed with your purchase of mozzarella cheese when you order online. All cheeses are shipped in a sealed container to ensure freshness and prevent the spoilage that can happen if it is left out for too long at room temperature.

Some dairy producers and cheesemakers choose not to use milk derived from rbst-treated cows. They may label their mozzarella cheese as “rBST-free” to indicate that it is made with milk from cows raised without this added RBST.

What are the extra costs?

If you start shopping online for cheese, be prepared to pay for the price of the item delivery. Because it is perishable and requires specific storage conditions, this might end up being more expensive than a normal shipping charge would have been.

If you are thinking about buying a block of mozzarella, there is some equipment that will be helpful. For example, if you don’t want to buy pre-sliced cheese or have the patience for hand shavers then it is recommended to purchase an automatic slicer instead.

Mozzarella specifications

When you want to have the mozzarella’s perfect flavor you know and love, but also its special texture, do not forget to pay attention to some very important details, just like any self-respecting Italian:

Color

It should not have a bright white hue (because it may mean that it contains not only fresh milk, but also other ingredients), but a milky, opalescent hue, just like a pearl or porcelain.

Texture

It should be compact and slightly elastic, but not like rubber, and the surface should be velvety, and soft.

Porosity

When cutting or pressing the piece of mozzarella, a few drops of whey should drip.

Price

Normally, price is another indicator that you need to consider, because the traditional process of making mozzarella takes quite a long time and involves quite high production costs. If the product is very cheap, it means that it was made quickly, which also affects the quality.

To identify a good product, it is useful to read the ingredients on the package. Real mozzarella should contain only four ingredients: milk, enzymes, natural rennet, and salt.

Fresh cheese does not last more than a few days in the refrigerator. It is stored in its own liquid, in a closed container to help lock in flavor. Before being served, it is good to let it reach room temperature. Mozzarella with a low water content can be stored for a longer period, depending on the type of cheese.

In the kitchen, Mozzarella cheese brings a special touch to your Italian recipes, especially to pizza cheese and pasta dishes, but also in combination with meat. An Italian salad that contains pieces of Mozzarella and tomatoes is the Caprese salad. For recipes where no fire is needed, fresh Mozzarella easily blends with other flavors. But this cheese is very suitable also for cooked foods.

Yes, you can freeze mozzarella as long as it’s prepackaged or home-shredded. Store in a freezer bag and squeeze all the air out before putting it into the freezer to make sure no moisture is lost.

Nutrition information

How can I save money?

If you want to make your own mozzarella rather than buying it, buy a kit and do it at home. It not only saves you money, but it’s also a fun activity to do with friends or family.

With all the amazing cheese-making workshops available, you have no excuses to not make your own mozzarella at home. Not only will this save money and give you some delicious experience but it’ll also allow you to create a superior product that is absolutely fresh.

Make sure you check your local grocery store for coupons and sales on mozzarella cheese.

Purchasing multiple pounds of cheese at once can save you money. If possible, try to buy as much as you need upfront so that it’s cheaper per pound than if you were to purchase a smaller amount over time.