Cheese is one of the most staple ingredients that we all have in our fridge. Simply sprinkle some cheese on top of your meal and you will get an even tastier dish. Whether you are having pasta, pizza or any other meal, adding extra cheese will create the perfect meal. All types of cheese whether they are melted, dry, hard, in different shapes and sizes, make everyone happy. In fact, Parmesan cheese is one of the most common types of cheese that is used in a lot of recipes. However, if you are out of parmesan cheese there are plenty of alternatives you can consider in your alfredo sauce.
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Piave
One of the best alternative for parmesan cheese in Alfredo sauce is Piave cheese. This is an Italian cow’s milk cheese that is the closest to Parmesan cheese and one of the most common substitutes there is. Piave cheese is only aged 12 months, unlike Parmesan cheese which is aged between 18-36 months. However, you can use Piave cheese in place of parmesan cheese in most of your recipes. This cheese has a rich taste, it is creamier and has it is much sweeter that parmesan cheese. It is your best replacement for parmesan cheese on roasted vegetables, toasts as well as pastas. In addition, this cheese is readily available in most grocery stores.
Pecorino Romano
Also a great substitute for Parmesan cheese in Alfredo sauce is Pecorino Romano cheese. You can use this cheese when you are out of Parmesan cheese in most of the recipes that may require Parmesan cheese. In fact, Pecorino Romano cheese is actually one of the best alternatives for Parmesan before you can consider using any other susbtitute. To replace Parmesan cheese with Pecorino Romano simply use a 1 to 1 recipe or use the amount that you like based on your preferences. This type of cheese is made from sheep’s milk and it contains more fat than cheese made from cow’s milk so this may be a disadvantage if you want to cut back on calories. Also, Pecorino cheese is a type of cheese that is much sharper and saltier than Parmesan cheese so it may slightly change the taste of your dish.
Grana Padano
Also on our list of the best substitutes for Parmesan cheese is Grana Padano. Just like Pecorino Romano cheese, Granada Padano is also made in Italy. This type of cheese is often found in a certain region of Italy. It is also more affordable and more producers can make this cheese because it is not that difficult to make. This cheese is also made from cow’s milk, it is not that salty and it has a milder taste, compared to other substitutes. Grana Padano also has a nutty flavour which is very similar to that of Parmesan cheese but much less crumbly. Due to its softness, this cheese is actually much easier to use in sauces instead of pastas, but it works both ways.
Asiago Cheese
Asiago cheese is another type of cheese that can be used in almost everything that may require Parmesan cheese. It is a type of cheese that is also made from cow’s milk and it has a flavour that resembles Parmesan cheese but it is nuttier and creamier. When it is aged, 9 months or more Asiago cheese develops a sharp flavour. In addition, this type of cheese can be used on pasta, pizza, as well as salad or it can be eaten alone. To use Asiago cheese in place of Parmesan cheese simply use a 1 to 1 ratio or adjust according to your preferences.
Dry Jack
You can consider using dry jack in place of Parmesan cheese in Alfredo sauce. Although, dry jack is very hard and sharp it has a pleasant nutty flavour. Dry jack cheese is normally aged between 7 to 10 months and the older it is the more intense the flavour becomes. This type of cheese also makes a great substitute for Parmesan cheese especially as a snack and it can be served with wine or pasta. This cheese also fits well in salads too. To use it in place of Parmesan cheese you can use a one to one ratio or adjust as needed.
Reggianito
Reggianito is another type of cheese that you can consider using in place of Parmesan cheese in Alfredo sauce. This cheese is made from cow’s milk, and it normally takes about 6 months to be made. Reggianito cheese was initially made in Argentina by an Italian farmer who had migrated there. The cheese is made in a smaller-sized wheel compared to Parmesan cheese that is actually made in very large drums. Reggianito cheese has a smooth texture and a mild fruity taste. To replace Parmesan cheese with Reggianito you can use a one to one ratio or adjust according to your taste.
Vegan Substitute
For those that are on a special diet like vegans you can make use of the vegan alternative for Parmesan cheese in Alfredo sauce. Parmesan cheese is something that can be turned vegan as well. You can follow a simple recipe online or follow the one provided below. You only need 4 ingredients for your Parmesan cheese vegan alternative. This vegan Parmesan cheese is delicious and it also tastes very similar like the original version. If you want to avoid animal rennet, or just need a dairy-free cheese alternatives or just want to try something different you can try out recipe. It’s not that expensive to prepare, you can make it at home plus it only takes about 5 minutes or so to prepare.
You will need;
- A cup of raw, unsalted cashews
- 4 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
- A tablespoon of salt
- A tablespoon of garlic powder
After putting all your necessary ingredients together, mix them all and put them all in a blender or a food processor so that they can blend and mix well together. After the texture is done, you can serve immediately as desired.
