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Are you trying to make a recipe that calls for parmesan cheese? Did you also just realize that you have none? Keep reading to see how to substitute for parmesan cheese easily.
Parmesan cheese is a rich cheese with a nutty, umami-like flavor originally from Italy and serves as a great topping for pasta, meats, and even pizzas. When you are searching for a substitution it is important to find an ingredient with similar properties so that you can still add that savory addition to your favorite meals.
Good substitutes for parmesan cheese include asiago, grated mozzarella, shredded cheddar, Romano, Pecorino Romano, provolone, nutritional yeast, homemade cashew blends, Piave, and Manchego. Most of the parmesan cheese substitutes below will be used in ratios of 1:1.
Determining the best substitute for parmesan cheese can be tricky because of all the options there are to choose from. Luckily, this article not only comes with plenty of substitution ideas but also comes packed with conversion ratios for each.
10 great ways to substitute for Parmesan cheese
If you decide to use asiago cheese for your parmesan substitute, you can easily do so by doing a 1:1 conversion. Asiago will still offer a nutty flavor similar to parmesan cheese and also hails from Italy. Asiago can be very ideal for substituting parmesan cheese with its sharp and savory flavor.
Romano Cheese
Substituting Romano for parmesan cheese is very easy; you may choose it as a substitute because of its sharp, tangy taste. Romano cheese as a substitute for parmesan should be used in ratios of 1:1.
Pecorino Romano
Another good alternative for Parmesan cheese is Pecorino Romano cheese at a 1:1 substitute ratio.
Grated Mozzarella
When choosing grated mozzarella as a replacement for parmesan cheese in your cooking, use ratios of 1:1. You might choose this substitute because of its mild taste, but may opt to add a bit more than the conversion ratio recommended with a dash of salt to accurately imitate the taste of parmesan.
Shredded Cheddar
If you opt for shredded cheddar cheese as a replacement for parmesan, you can substitute it in a ratio of 1:1, keeping in mind that the flavor will be much milder and the cheese originates from England; therefore it has a much different body and flavor. Cheddar cheese, however, can be a great replacement for parmesan in the right recipes.
Provolone
To use provolone in replacement of parmesan, use it in ratios of 1:1. This cheese is ideal if you do not want to use/are not able to use parmesan because it ranges from mild to hard, leaving you plenty of substitution options.
Piave
Piave is a cheese that has a similar taste and consistency to parmesan that may prove to be a suitable replacement for your cooking. When using Piave cheese in place of parmesan, do so in ratios of 1:1.
Manchego
You may choose to try using Manchego cheese in place of parmesan because of its firm, compact consistency and its buttery texture. When you substitute Manchego for parmesan cheese, do so in a 1:1 ratio.
Reggianito
If you decide to use Reggianito in place of parmesan cheese (a hard Argentinean cheese that tastes salty with a crumbly and grainy texture), you can do so using a 1:1 conversion ratio.
Dairy Free and vegan substitutes for parmesan cheese
Nutritional Yeast
Substituting nutritional yeast for parmesan cheese is not only a tasty replacement but is also a healthier option; it comes packed with more protein and B vitamins than parmesan. A good nutritional yeast substitute for parmesan cheese in cooking is a ratio of ½:1. When I want that cheesy flavor without using actual cheese, I like grabbing Bragg Nutritional Yeast which I get from Amazon at a reasonable price.
Homemade Cashew Blends
When using cashew blends for substituting parmesan cheese, determining the correct ratios can be nuanced. You may have to play with cashew blends in regards to adding them to recipes until you find the right ratio. This is because there are varying homemade cashew blend recipes out there that vary in concentration of different ingredients, therefore offering varying tastes.
Final thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of ways you can substitute different cheeses for parmesan in your cooking. Each replacement offers a slightly unique and different twist from parmesan cheese and can be utilized to throw a particular flare into one of your dishes that calls for parmesan. Whatever cheese you choose to use, rest assured that your dish will be tasty.
Also, if you’re looking for more Parmesan cheese substitutes, check out these Parmesan cheese substitutes for pesto here.
