Parmesan cheese substitutes
Parmesan cheese substitutes — 6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Pecorino Romano
Same amount as the Parmesan cheese
Similar hard Italian cheese with salty flavor.
The best substitutes for parmesan cheese are pecorino romano, asiago, or other hard aged cheeses like grana padano or manchego, depending on the use.
Parmesan is savoury depth and salt in solid form: aged a year or more, it is loaded with the glutamates that make a pasta sauce taste finished, and it carries enough salt, milk fat and nutty smell that a small handful seasons a whole bowl and browns into a crust on top of a bake.
- Verdict —
- Tweak it
- What changes —
- different taste, similar texture
- Best for —
- grating
Updated 17 Sep 2026 · no sponsored swaps
- Jobs
- Fat & richnesssecondary
- Saltsecondary
- Umami & savory depthprimary
- Aroma & flavor identitysecondary
- Browning & colorsecondary
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of Parmesan cheese | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pecorino Romanograting | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 2 | Asiagograting | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Grana Padanograting | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 4 | Manchegograting | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 5 | Cheddargrating | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | Nutritional yeastgrating | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
Pecorino Romano
different taste, similar texture
Similar hard Italian cheese with salty flavor.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Salt
- Umami & savory depth
- Browning & color
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- grating, finishing dishes, cooking, pasta
More salty, similar texture.
Asiago
similar taste and texture
Similar hard cheese with nutty flavor.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Salt
- Umami & savory depth
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Browning & color
- Best for
- grating, finishing dishes, cooking, pasta
Similar flavor, similar texture.
Grana Padano
similar taste and texture
Similar hard Italian cheese with nutty flavor.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Salt
- Umami & savory depth
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Browning & color
- Best for
- grating, finishing dishes, cooking, pasta
Similar flavor, similar texture.
Manchego
similar taste and texture
Spanish hard cheese with nutty flavor.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Salt
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Browning & color
- Misses
- Umami & savory depth — not covered
- Best for
- grating, finishing dishes, cooking, pasta
Similar flavor, similar texture.
Cheddar
different taste, similar texture
Hard cheese with different flavor profile.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Salt
- Browning & color
- Misses
- Umami & savory depth — not covered
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- grating, finishing dishes, cooking, pasta
Different flavor, similar texture.
Nutritional yeast
different taste and texture
Non-dairy alternative with umami flavor.
- Covers
- Umami & savory depth
- Misses
- Fat & richness — not covered
- Salt — not covered
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Browning & color — not covered
- Best for
- grating, finishing dishes, cooking, vegan recipes
Different flavor, different texture.
Questions
4 questionsCan I use pecorino romano instead of parmesan cheese?
Yes, pecorino romano is a good substitute for parmesan cheese. It has similar texture and can be used in most recipes that call for parmesan cheese.
What's the difference between parmesan cheese and pecorino romano?
Parmesan cheese is made from cow's milk and has a nutty flavor, while pecorino romano is made from sheep's milk and has a more salty, tangy flavor.
Can I use asiago instead of parmesan cheese?
Yes, asiago can work as a substitute, though it may have a slightly different flavor. It has similar texture and can be used in most recipes.
Why is parmesan cheese so popular in Italian cooking?
Parmesan cheese is popular in Italian cooking because it adds nutty, salty flavor that complements the ingredients and cooking styles of Italian cuisine.
Tips for substituting Parmesan cheese
6 tips- Parmesan cheese adds nutty, salty flavor to dishes
- Parmesan cheese is best used for finishing dishes and grating
- Parmesan cheese pairs well with Italian and Mediterranean dishes
- Parmesan cheese can be used in both sweet and savory dishes
- Parmesan cheese works well in pasta and risotto dishes
- Store parmesan cheese in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic wrap