The Perfect Pairings For Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan cheese is a staple in Italian cuisine and can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a versatile ingredient that can be grated, shredded, sliced, or shaved, adding a nutty and salty flavour to any meal. From savoury pastries to pasta dishes, and even as a topping for popcorn, Parmesan cheese can enhance the taste of many recipes.

Parmesan in salads

Parmesan cheese is a great ingredient to add to salads, providing a salty, nutty, or sharp flavour. It can be used in a variety of salad combinations, from simple lettuce salads to more complex creations.

Simple Lettuce Salads

A classic combination is a crisp lettuce salad with a sharp lemon dressing and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan. This can be made with a variety of lettuces, such as Romaine, red leaf, frisée, Belgian endive, or arugula. The lemon dressing is typically made with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and can be enhanced with red pepper flakes for a subtle hint of heat. This salad can be served as a side or as a base for grilled fish or chicken.

Lemon Parmesan Salad

Lemon Parmesan Salad is a versatile option that can be served as a side or a main course. It combines romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette. The key to this salad is using freshly shredded Parmesan and high-quality ingredients. Toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds add a buttery texture, while a short list of ingredients for the vinaigrette—extra-virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice and zest, sugar, and Dijon mustard—keeps the flavours simple yet impactful.

Parmesan Chopped Salad

This salad is a quick and easy option, perfect for a light lunch or side dish. It features romaine lettuce, shallots, Parmesan, and a simple olive oil and lemon dressing. The shallots provide a mild sharpness, sweetness, and crunch, and can be substituted with thinly sliced red onions for a bolder flavour. Freshly grated Parmesan is key to this recipe, and additional vegetables or croutons can be added to make it more substantial.

Other Combinations

In addition to these salads, Parmesan can be combined with a variety of other ingredients to create unique and flavourful salads. For example, an avocado citrus salad with mixed nut pesto or a salad in a jar can highlight the subtle flavour of Parmesan.

Parmesan in pasta

Chicken Parmesan

The classic chicken parmesan is a dish that consists of thinly sliced and breaded chicken breasts, smothered in a warm tomato sauce and topped with parmesan cheese. This dish can be served as-is or sandwiched between two halves of a hoagie roll.

Pasta with Bacon Cream Sauce

A quick carbonara pasta dish that combines cheesy and bacony flavours. This recipe includes parmesan cheese and is ready in 20 minutes.

Traditional Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Also known as pasta aglio e olio, this simple yet satisfying Italian dish can be enhanced with a generous helping of well-aged parmesan cheese.

Parmesan Snap Pea Pasta

This simple dish combines sugar snap peas with bow tie pasta and parmesan cheese. It is a great option for making use of freshly picked snap peas during the spring when they are at their sweetest.

Fusilli Alla Vodka with Basil and Parmesan

This pasta dish includes basil and parmesan cheese. It is important to cook the vodka for a full minute or two to evaporate the alcohol content.

Rigatoni with Brussels Sprouts, Parmesan, Lemon and Leek

This recipe combines rigatoni pasta with brussels sprouts, parmesan cheese, lemon and leek. If you don't have a large enough skillet to toss everything together, you can simply dump the mixture back into the pot used for cooking the pasta and toss it all together there.

Parmesan in soups

Parmesan Chickpea Soup

This super simple soup is nourishing, satisfying, comforting, and quick to make. It requires only a few ingredients and is loaded with spinach. The parmesan broth is the star of the show here. To make it, you'll need some diced onion and garlic, chicken or vegetable broth, a parmesan rind, tiny pasta (like ditalini or orzo), a can of chickpeas, and frozen or fresh spinach. Don't forget to top with lots of parmesan cheese and a spritz of lemon!

French Parmesan Soup with Bacon and Croutons

This silky-smooth soup is an ultimate comfort food for cold weather. It has an intense parmesan flavour and is served with crispy bacon and garlicky croutons. To make it, you'll need butter, parmigiano reggiano, a shallot, chicken broth, half and half or heavy cream, salt, pepper, chives, bacon, a baguette, olive oil, and garlic. The soup is pureed and strained for an extra smooth and silky texture.

Parmesan Broth

You can make a delicious vegetarian parmesan broth by simmering parmesan rinds with aromatics such as onion, garlic, and bay leaves. This broth can be used as a base for soups, risottos, or other dishes.

Tips for Using Parmesan in Soups

• Parmesan rinds are edible and can be used to add flavour to soups and other dishes.
• When using parmesan rinds, simply drop one or two into your pot of soup and let them simmer for at least 30 minutes. The rind will soften and release its flavour, but won't completely disintegrate, so be sure to remove it before serving.
• You can store parmesan rinds in a ziplock bag in the freezer for up to a year and use them straight from frozen.
• When grating or shaving parmesan to top a soup, don't skimp on the cheese! It adds great flavour and texture.

Parmesan in potatoes

There are several ways to include parmesan in potatoes, and here are some mouth-watering recipes to try:

Parmesan Baked Potatoes

This recipe is a simple yet delicious way to make potatoes for a special occasion. The potatoes are baked in the oven with a parmesan mixture, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft, creamy interior.

Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Ground black pepper
• Red potatoes, halved
• Sour cream (optional)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking pan or cast-iron skillet and add vegetable oil. Mix parmesan, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper in a bowl. Blot the cut side of the potatoes dry and place them in a bowl. Drizzle with vegetable oil, toss to coat, and then sprinkle with the parmesan mixture. Arrange the potatoes cut-side down on the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flip, and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy. Serve hot with sour cream if desired.

Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

For an indulgent and creamy side dish, parmesan mashed potatoes are a perfect choice. This recipe includes cream cheese and sour cream for an extra rich and flavourful dish.

Ingredients:

• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Potatoes

Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes

These roasted potatoes are a perfect side dish for a Sunday roast or a party. The baby potatoes are coated in a parmesan mixture and roasted to perfection, resulting in a crispy golden crust and soft interior.

Ingredients:

• Baby potatoes, halved
• Olive oil
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder or onion powder
• Dried oregano or thyme
• Salt and pepper
• Sour cream or plain yoghurt (optional)
• Green onions or chives (optional)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Drizzle olive oil in a glass baking dish. Mix parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Place the potatoes cut-side down in the dish, pressing firmly. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 35-40 minutes until soft and golden. Let them rest for 5 minutes, then use an egg flip to cut between the potatoes and scoop them up. Serve as a side dish or finger food with a dipping sauce if desired.

Parmesan-Roasted Potatoes

These parmesan-roasted potatoes are a great addition to a Christmas dinner or Boxing Day bubble and squeak. The recipe includes boiling the potatoes before coating them in a flour and parmesan mixture and roasting them to crispy perfection.

Ingredients:

• Floury potatoes, cut in half or quarters
• Finely grated parmesan cheese
• Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme), finely chopped
• Grated nutmeg
• Salt and pepper
• Vegetable oil

Parmesan in chicken dishes

Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that consists of thin, breaded chicken cutlets that are typically fried and then baked with marinara sauce, Italian cheese, and herbs. It is similar to Eggplant Parmesan, a famous Italian dish.

How to Make Chicken Parmesan

Prepare the Chicken:

• Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This helps the chicken cook evenly and faster, and also tenderizes it.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

Set Up an Assembly Line:

• In one bowl, combine flour, salt, and pepper.
• In a second bowl, whisk eggs until frothy.
• In a third bowl, mix together breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.

Coat the Chicken:

• Dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off any excess.
• Dip the floured chicken in the egg mixture, ensuring it is well coated.
• Finally, dip the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs into the chicken to ensure an even coating.

Fry the Chicken:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Fry the breaded chicken for about 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. The chicken will finish cooking in the oven, so it does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.

Transfer to a Baking Dish:

• Place the fried chicken in a baking dish.
• Top each chicken breast with a small amount of tomato sauce. Too much sauce will make the dish soggy.
• Layer each chicken breast with mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and provolone cheese.
• Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese and drizzle with olive oil.

Bake:

• Bake in a preheated oven at 425-450 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
• The chicken is ready when the cheese is browned and bubbly, and the chicken is no longer pink in the center. An instant-read thermometer should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit when inserted into the center of the chicken.

Tips for the Best Chicken Parmesan:

• Use a combination of fresh mozzarella, tangy Provolone, and real Parmesan cheese for a delicious, flavorful blend.
• Adding grated Parmesan to the breadcrumbs adds an extra layer of flavor and crunch to the dish.
• Let the breaded chicken rest for about 15 minutes before frying to allow the coating to adhere properly.
• Ensure your oven is fully preheated to the correct temperature to achieve a crispy breading and slightly browned cheese.
• Use high-quality prepared tomato sauce for the best results.

Variations and Serving Suggestions:

• Chicken Parmesan can be served as-is or over hot pasta. It also pairs well with a side of Caesar Salad or Roasted Asparagus.
• For a healthier option, you can skip the frying step and bake the breaded chicken in the oven. Spray the chicken with cooking spray or brush with olive oil and bake for 20-25 minutes before adding the sauce and cheese.
• Chicken Parmesan can also be made into a hot sandwich and served on a toasted bun.
• To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour blend.

Frequently asked questions