The taste of pasta is just incomplete without the touch of some parmesan cheese! Whether it’s a bowl of your favorite sauce or simply a sandwich, Parmesan cheese could be your go-to cheese! But if you are out of it, why don’t you try some parmesan cheese substitutes?
Parmesan cheese, with its nutty flavor and creamy taste, is many people’s favorite. Parmesan cheese tastes best when they are aged. Normal store-bought parmesan cheese is aged up to 12 to 18 months.
Parmesan cheese has a unique taste to it. It is hard in nature and is best for grating as well as melting. Hence finding a similar substitute might be hard.
Asiago, Pecorino Romano, Romano, Grana Padano, and Piave are some of the best parmesan cheese substitutes.
These are only some of the many parmesan cheese substitutes. While selecting parmesan cheese substitutes, keep an eye out for its flavor and texture. This article is for you if you are looking for an ideal parmesan cheese substitute.
11 Best Parmesan Cheese Substitutes
Parmesan cheese is something we all thoroughly enjoy. But getting a similar-tasting cheese to replace it might be a little hard. If you are wondering what could be used in place of parmesan cheese, here are our recommendations.
1. Asiago
Just like Parmesan cheese, Asiago cheese is a native of Italy. Asiago has a similar flavor to that of parmesan cheese.
It is, however, slightly sweeter than the parmesan cheese. But in most dishes, Asiago works perfectly as a parmesan cheese substitute.
Asiago cheese is also softer than parmesan cheese. Asiago melts into most food and gives your risotto and pasta a very creamy taste and texture.
The strong flavor of Asiago cheese pairs well with most dishes that call for parmesan cheese. While using asiago cheese as a parmesan cheese substitute, follow the 1:1 ratio.
2. Pecorino Romano
Pecorino romano, just like parmesan cheese, is an Italian cheese. It has a hard texture similar to parmesan cheese and works well as grated cheese in pasta and salad bowls. Hence pecorino romano is an idle parmesan cheese substitute.
However, unlike parmesan cheese, pecorino romano is made from sheep’s milk. Pecorino romano has a strong nutty taste similar to that of parmesan cheese. However, the overall flavor of the pecorino romano has a slight tanginess.
Hence, while using pecorino romano as a parmesan cheese substitute, start using half the portion recommended in the recipe.
3. Romano
Romano cheese is the American version of Pecorino romano. This cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a flavor profile similar to parmesan cheese. Hence, romano cheese can be used as parmesan cheese in many dishes.
Unlike parmesan cheese, romano cheese has a soft texture to it. Even though it is made from cow’s milk, the overall flavor of the romano cheese is slightly saltier and stronger than normal parmesan cheese.
While using romano cheese as a parmesan cheese substitute, take ½ of the needed quantity.
4. Grana Padano
Grana Padano is an Italian cheese and is often aged for at least 9 months. This aging process lends it a strong nutty taste similar to parmesan cheese. Therefore we can say that Grana Padano is a great parmesan cheese substitute.
If you are not someone who is not into cheese, Grana Padano might be new to you. Even though it is hard to find, this cheese tastes so much like parmesan cheese with its crumbly texture and nutty flavor.
While using Grana Padano as a parmesan cheese substitute, follow the 1:1 ratio.
5. Piave
Piave cheese has a nutty flavor similar to that of parmesan cheese and is often used as a parmesan cheese substitute. This Italian cheese is made from the Dolomite region and has a hint of fruity taste to it.
Piave, again is not a common cheese you could find in your local market. However, if you have some, you can use it as a parmesan cheese substitute in most dishes. It can be substituted with parmesan cheese in a 1:1 ratio.
6. Grated Mozzarella
Undoubtedly mozzarella is one of the most loved Italian cheeses of all time. It has a very mild flavor with a soft texture. When used as a parmesan cheese substitute, it won’t affect the overall taste of the food. Hence mozzarella can be regarded as a parmesan cheese substitute.
As you may know, Mozzarella cheese has a very soft texture. It melts into pasta and sauces and brings a creamy flavor to the dish. Moreover, it also works well as a grated cheese on a salad bowl and pasta.
While substituting parmesan cheese with grated mozzarella, follow the 1:1 ratio.
7. Manchego
Manchego is a Spanish version of parmesan cheese. However, it has a mild taste when compared to parmesan cheese and works well in salad bowls and eggs. Hence Manchego can be considered a parmesan cheese substitute.
Manchego is a grated cheese and blends very well with food. While using Manchego as a parmesan cheese substitute, follow the 1:1 ratio.
8. Sapsago
Sapsago is a hard cheese with a nutty flavor similar to parmesan cheese. Thus, it works well as a grated cheese.
Sapsago is an ideal parmesan cheese substitute if you are looking for a low-fat cheese that tastes just like parmesan.
Compared to parmesan cheese, sapsago has a very pungent taste. Hence if you have never tried sapsago before, give it a taste test before using it as a parmesan cheese substitute.
9. Cotija
Cotija cheese is often known as Mexican parmesan cheese. Hence cotija can be called a parmesan cheese substitute. However, cotija cheese has a different texture and flavor from that parmesan cheese.
Cotija cheese is much softer than parmesan cheese with a salty undertone. While replacing parmesan cheese with cotija, keep in mind that cotija doesn’t melt that easily in your food. However, it works great as a grated salad.
While substituting parmesan cheese with cotija, follow the 1:1 ratio.
10. Shredded Cheddar
If you got nothing, shredded cheddar can work well as a parmesan cheese substitute in a pinch! Cheddar does have a different flavor profile than parmesan cheese.
However, shredded cheddar can be used as grated cheese as well as melted cheese.
11. Soy Parmesan
If you are allergic to milk or vegan, then this soy parmesan cheese is an ideal parmesan cheese substitute for you. It can be used in all ways similar to regular parmesan cheese.
Soy parmesan cheese is more on the salty side. However, while using soy parmesan as a parmesan cheese substitute, follow the 1:1 ratio.
Short Recap Of Parmesan Cheese Substitutes
After going through the list of parmesan cheese substitutes, I’m sure you must have chosen one for yourself. However, if you are still perplexed regarding what to choose from these, let me further break it down.
Best Easily Available Parmesan Cheese Substitutes –
- Grated Mozzarella
- Pecorino Romano
Most Suitable Parmesan Cheese Substitutes –
- Asiago
- Grana Padano
Parmesan Substitutes To Consider Last –
- Cotija
- Shredded Cheddar
Vegan Parmesan Substitutes To Consider –
- Soy Parmesan Cheese
11 Best Parmesan Cheese Substitutes You Can Try!
Ingredients
- Soy Parmesan
- Shredded Cheddar
- Cotija
- Sapsago
- Manchego
- Grated Mozzarella
- Piave
- Grana Padano
- Romano
- Pecorino Romano
- Asiago
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.
Final Words
We have come to the end of the article. I hope you had a fruitful reading. Parmesan cheese is an amazing ingredient and lends a creamy taste to many dishes. It has a very mellow flavor, but it greatly affects the dish’s overall taste to which it is added!
So when you are out of it, you cannot totally skip it. Hence in such situations, make use of a good parmesan cheese substitute. Most parmesan cheese substitutes above work well in most dishes that call for parmesan cheese.
So next time you are out of parmesan cheese, try any of these substitutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use normal cheese instead of Parmesan?
No. Normal cheese doesn’t have a nutty flavor and hard texture as that of Parmesan.
Can I replace Parmesan cheese with mozzarella?
Mozzarella cheese can be used as a Parmesan cheese substitute. However, it is not an idle replacment.
Are mozzarella and Parmesan cheese the same?
No. Parmesan and mozzarella cheese are two different cheeses.
Is cheddar similar to Parmesan?
Yes. Both cheddar and Parmesan cheese are hard cheese and have a similar flavor.
