Randy Chandler
Provolone cheese is a versatile Italian cheese with a rich taste and a semi-hard texture. It can be made with buffalo or cow's milk, or a mixture of both. It is a pulled-curd cheese with two varieties: Dolce, which is aged for two to three months and has a mild, nutty flavour, and Piccante, which is aged for six to twelve months and has a stronger, saltier flavour. Provolone is often served melted, for example, on grilled sandwiches, pizza, casseroles, and baked pasta dishes. It can also be grated over salads or incorporated into desserts, such as grilled or roasted pears with a balsamic glaze. When served as part of a cheeseboard, provolone pairs well with spicy, salty condiments such as olives, roasted red peppers, and chargrilled artichokes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Semi-hard Italian cheese |
| Texture | Firm |
| Flavor | Mild, smoky, salty, nutty, rich, beefy, sharper |
| Rind | Thin, hard, golden-yellow, shiny |
| Milk | Buffalo, cow, or a mixture of both |
| Serving suggestions | Grilled sandwiches, baked pasta, casseroles, pizza, savory pies, chicken, salads, grilled or roasted pears with a sweet balsamic glaze, Italian sandwiches, cheeseboard |
| Wine pairing | Dry rosé, fruity red (Sangiovese, Beaujolais), Chardonnay |
| Beer pairing | Pale ale |
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What You'll Learn
Provolone on a cheeseboard with spicy condiments
Provolone is a semi-hard Italian cheese with a soft, elastic, and stringy texture. It is made by stretching and kneading cheese curds. Dolce, a mild provolone, is aged for two to three months and has a semi-soft, smooth, and creamy texture. Piccante is aged for at least four months, and up to twelve months, and has a much stronger, peppery flavor.
When serving Provolone as part of a cheeseboard, it is recommended to add spicy, salty condiments to enjoy it with. Here are some ideas for a Provolone cheeseboard with spicy condiments:
- Spicy chili jams or chutneys, such as tomato chutney, honey and mirtillo (blueberry) jam, or a maroon creme with vanilla.
- Salami, mortadella, or ham.
- Olives, either as a condiment or on crackers with the cheese.
- Pickles, such as pickled peppers, and sweet onion marmalade.
- Chargrilled artichokes.
- Roasted red peppers.
- Spicy sopressata with a drizzle of honey and candied pistachios on crackers.
- Nduja on an Effie's corn cake biscuit with marcona or Valencia almonds.
- Grilled or roasted pears with a sweet balsamic glaze.
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Grilled provolone sandwiches
To make a grilled provolone sandwich, you can use any bread you have to hand, from crusty bread to plain white sandwich bread. First, toast the inside of the bread under a grill, then build your sandwich. You can add other cheeses to your sandwich, such as mozzarella, Swiss, or cheddar, and meats such as salami, prosciutto, and pepperoni. For extra flavour, add some parsley, oregano, and black pepper.
Once you've built your sandwich, melt some butter in a skillet or on a griddle and add your sandwich, coating the bread in the butter. Cook over a medium-low heat for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, ensuring the bread doesn't get too brown. After about 6 to 8 minutes, the cheese should be melted, and your sandwich is ready to serve.
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Baked pasta with provolone
Provolone is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including baked pasta. Here is a recipe for a delicious and comforting baked pasta with provolone:
Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need:
- Ziti or penne pasta (or any other short, stout pasta like fusilli, rigatoni, or shell pasta)
- Meat sauce (made with ground beef, pork, turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage) or marinara sauce for a vegetarian option
- Ricotta cheese (whole milk or part-skim)
- Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- Cherry tomatoes (optional)
- Onion
- Spices of your choice
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, cooking it al dente, about 3 minutes less than the recommended time.
- In a separate pan, sauté some onions and your choice of spices. You can use spices like oregano, basil, or red pepper flakes to add flavour to the dish.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the onion and spice mixture, stirring well to ensure even coating.
- Grease a baking pan. The size of the pan may vary depending on the number of servings. For a larger batch, use a 13x9-inch pan. For a smaller batch, an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch pan will work.
- Spread a layer of the meat sauce (or marinara sauce) at the bottom of the pan. You can also add vegetables or meat of your choice to the sauce for a heartier dish.
- Top the sauce with a layer of the pasta mixture.
- Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of meat sauce on top.
- Cover the dish and bake at 350°F for about 40 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the centre reads 160°F.
- Uncover the dish and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top. You can also add other cheeses like Parmesan or even more provolone for an extra cheesy dish.
- Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Let the dish stand for about 15 minutes before serving.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
This baked pasta with provolone is a versatile dish that can be customised to your taste:
- For a vegetarian option, omit the meat and add your favourite vegetables to the sauce.
- Try using smoked provolone for an added depth of flavour.
- Top the pasta with cherry tomato halves before baking for a fresh burst of flavour.
- If you prefer a simpler dish, you can use sliced provolone instead of shredded for a more complex flavour.
- Serve the baked pasta with a side of garlic bread or a crisp salad for a complete meal.
- Pair the dish with a glass of dry rosé wine, a fruity red like Sangiovese, or a light Beaujolais. For white wine lovers, a Chardonnay will balance the mild saltiness of the provolone.
Enjoy your baked pasta with provolone!
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Provolone on pizza
Provolone is a popular cheese to use on pizza, and it can be used in many different ways. Firstly, it is important to prepare the pizza dough. While store-bought pizza dough can be used, some recipes recommend making the dough from scratch, as this will result in a more delicious pizza. To make the dough, whisk bread and spelt flours and yeast in a large bowl, then add olive oil and room-temperature water. Knead the mixture in a bowl until the dough forms a rough ball, which should take around four minutes.
Once the dough is ready, roll it out on a pastry or cutting board to the size of your pizza pan. Then, brush the dough with a light coating of olive oil. Next, place the provolone cheese slices on the dough. Some recipes suggest adding pizza sauce on top of the provolone cheese slices, while others recommend spreading the sauce over the dough first. You can use your favourite pizza sauce or try something different, such as a roasted tomato sauce with Italian herbs.
After the sauce, you can add your toppings of choice. Some recipes suggest sprinkling shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the sauce, followed by toppings such as pepperoni or onions. Other recipes include Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and spinach. If you are using provolone as your only cheese, you can add the toppings directly after placing the provolone on the dough.
Finally, bake the pizza in the oven until it is cooked to your liking. For a crispy pizza, bake for around 10-15 minutes until the crust is a deep golden brown. If you prefer a softer crust, you can take the pizza out of the oven once the toppings are cooked, as an underdone crust will be doughy.
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Provolone in casseroles
Provolone cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, including casseroles. The cheese is known for its excellent melting properties, making it a great choice for baked dishes. Here are some tips and ideas for using provolone cheese in casseroles:
Choosing the Right Provolone Cheese
There are different types of provolone cheese available, and the variety you choose can impact the flavour and texture of your casserole. Provolone Dolce is a mild, semi-soft variety that is aged for a shorter period, usually two to three months. It has a smooth texture and a creamy flavour similar to mozzarella. This type of provolone melts well, making it ideal for casseroles. On the other hand, Provolone Piccante is aged longer, at least four months, and has a stronger, sharper flavour. It is semi-hard with a smooth and buttery texture. Piccante adds a robust, nutty, and savoury note to casseroles.
Grated or Shredded Provolone
Grated provolone cheese is a perfect topping for casseroles. Its sharp flavour adds a burst of umami, and its melting properties create a gooey, creamy texture. Grated provolone can be mixed with other cheeses, such as parmesan, to create a rich and indulgent topping for your casserole. Alternatively, you can use shredded provolone, which melts evenly and adds a stringy, stretchy texture to the dish.
Sliced Provolone
Sliced provolone cheese can be layered into casseroles, adding a creamy texture and a tangy flavour. Sliced provolone can also be used to top casseroles, creating a golden, crispy crust. For a fancier presentation, try layering sliced provolone with vegetables or meats, creating a visually appealing and tasty combination.
Cubed Provolone
Adding cubed provolone cheese to casseroles can provide a salty crunch and an extra layer of flavour. The cheese melts around the edges, creating a creamy texture while retaining some structure. Cubed provolone is an excellent choice for heartier casseroles with chunky ingredients, as it adds texture and visual appeal.
Provolone in Combination with Other Cheeses
Provolone cheese pairs well with other cheeses, so feel free to experiment with combinations in your casseroles. Mozzarella is a popular pairing, as the two cheeses melt beautifully together. Parmesan is another excellent option to sprinkle over casseroles, adding a nutty, savoury note. For a more adventurous combination, try blending provolone with blue cheese or goat cheese for a unique flavour profile.
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Frequently asked questions
Provolone is a versatile cheese that can be used in cooking, grated over salads, or even incorporated into desserts. It melts very well, so it's great for grilled sandwiches, baked pasta dishes, casseroles, and pizza. It can also be enjoyed on its own, paired with wine or beer.
Provolone cheese pairs well with spicy, salty condiments such as olives, roasted red peppers, chargrilled artichokes, and spicy chili jams or chutneys. It is also commonly matched with spicy sopressatas, pickled giardiniera, and tart fruits like apples or grapes.
There are two main types of provolone cheese: dolce and piccante. Dolce is aged for 2-3 months and is a semi-soft, mild, and smooth table cheese with a nutty flavour. Piccante is aged for 6-12 months (or up to 3 years) and has a stronger, sharper, and saltier flavour. Good-quality provolone is called provolone piccante, but either type can be used depending on your preference for mild or strong cheese.
