Frederic Melton
Grated parmesan cheese is a popular topping for pasta and other Italian dishes. While the best option is generally considered to be freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, this can be time-consuming and expensive. For this reason, many people opt for pre-grated parmesan cheese, which can be bought in most grocery stores. Some popular brands include Kraft, 4C, BelGioioso, and Sartori. When choosing a pre-grated parmesan cheese, it is important to consider the texture and flavor, as some options can be stiff, fibrous, or lacking in flavor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best shredded parmesan cheese | BelGioioso |
| Best grated parmesan cheese | BelGioioso, 4C, Kraft |
| Best parmesan cheese for a cheese board | Private Selection |
| Best parmesan cheese for Caesar salad | Buitoni |
| Authentic Parmesan cheese | Parmigiano-Reggiano, Grana Padano |
| Best brand of Parmesan cheese | Sartori |
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What You'll Learn
Grated vs shredded
Grated and shredded cheese differ in shape and texture. Shredded cheese comes in thick shreds or strips, while grated cheese is much finer and similar to powder. Shredded cheese is usually coated in an anti-caking agent like cornstarch to prevent the shreds from clumping in the package. Grated cheese, on the other hand, is typically done at home with a grater and is not coated in any anti-caking agents.
When it comes to Parmesan cheese, the consensus is that freshly grated cheese is better than pre-grated or shredded cheese. Freshly grated Parmesan has a stronger flavour and melts better due to the absence of additional ingredients. However, pre-grated or shredded Parmesan is more convenient and can be used when short on time.
Some people recommend grating Parmesan cheese yourself using a block of Parmesan and a grater. This allows you to control the thickness of the shreds and ensures that you are consuming pure Parmesan cheese without any additives. It is also more cost-effective, as pre-grated and shredded Parmesan can be more expensive for a smaller quantity.
If you are looking for the best grated Parmesan cheese, several brands have been recommended, including:
- 4C: Known for its salty, slightly funky, and chewy texture, 4C's grated Parmesan is free of cellulose powder, additives, and preservatives, making it taste like good, freshly grated Parmesan.
- Kraft: Kraft's powdered Parmesan is known for its fluffiness and mild flavour. It is less salty than their Three Cheese option and slightly saltier than their regular Parmesan. It has a good balance of salt, a slight funk, and a classic Parmesan flavour.
- BelGioioso: BelGioioso's shredded Parmesan is thin and dainty, making it ideal for melting into hot dishes like sauced rigatoni.
- Buitoni: Buitoni's shredded Parmesan is highly accessible and has a savoury, nutty flavour, making it perfect for a Caesar salad.
- Private Selection: Available at Kroger-owned grocery stores, Private Selection's Parmesan has a sharp finish similar to cheddar, making it a good choice for a cheese board. It is less salty than other Parmesan cheeses.
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Shelf-stable options
Shelf-stable parmesan cheese is the kind that can be found in the same aisle as pasta and sauce. While these products are convenient, they are said to all taste the same, and not very good. If you're looking for a shelf-stable parmesan, you may be better off choosing the cheapest option available to you. However, if you're looking for a shelf-stable parmesan with a bit more flavour, there are some options that might be worth trying.
Firstly, if you're looking for a blend of grated Italian cheeses, Mama Francesca's blend of parmesan, asiago, and romano cheeses is said to taste like regular parmesan but with a bit of a "funky" twist. This blend is a little tougher in texture than other parmesans, but it's a good option if you're looking for something a little different. Another blend of Italian cheeses that's worth trying is the Great Value blend. This blend is said to be lower in fat, which affects the texture, but it's a good option if you're looking for something cheap and accessible.
If you're looking for a shelf-stable parmesan that tastes like freshly-grated parmesan, 4C is said to be the best option. This brand has no additives or preservatives, and it's a little salty and a little funky with a chewy texture. Kraft's parmesan-romano blend is another good option, with a great balance of salt and a slight funk. Kraft's powdered parm is also said to be the fluffiest option, with a mild flavour.
If you're looking for a shelf-stable parmesan with a waxier texture, Buitoni parm is highly accessible and said to be better than most grocery store brands. If you're looking for thin, dainty shreds, BelGioioso shredded parmesan is a good option, as it's said to melt as soon as it hits hot food.
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Best for snacking
Grated Parmesan may be the most convenient and popular way to consume this sharp cheese. It is a great snacking cheese—it’s salty and nutty and fills your mouth with flavor. If you are looking for a great cheese for snacking, rather than grating for dishes, look for aged Gouda (18 months or more, 3 years or more is better) or Comte (30 months or more).
If you are looking for the best grated Parmesan for snacking, the best option is to head to a good market, find an authentic chunk (it should have the date of production and "Parmigiano-Reggiano" stamped on the rind) and grate it by hand. But not everyone is going to do this, so there are some good pre-grated versions available.
If you like the nutty funk of a pecorino romano, Mama Francesca’s blend of parmesan, asiago, and romano cheeses is a good option. The texture is a bit tougher than some other parmesans, but it is worth it for the flavour.
For a good pre-grated option, try Kraft's parmesan-romano blend. It tastes the most like real, freshly grated parmesan. It has a great balance of salt, a slight funk, and a good old-fashioned parmesan flavour. Plus, it has that tell-tale Kraft fluffiness.
If you are looking for Italian-made Parmigiano Reggiano, which many deem “the best Parmesan”, consider purchasing a wheel or wedge with the Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP) mark, ensuring its origin and traditional production method.
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Best for pasta
Parmesan is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of pasta dishes, from spaghetti bolognese to fettuccine alfredo, and is often chosen as the best cheese in the world. When selecting a grated parmesan cheese for pasta, it is important to consider the desired level of saltiness, funkiness, and texture. Here are some options for the best grated parmesan cheese for pasta:
Kraft Parmesan Cheese:
Kraft offers a variety of parmesan cheese blends, including a parmesan-romano blend that tastes similar to freshly grated parmesan. It has a good balance of saltiness and funkiness, with the signature Kraft fluffiness. The six-month-aged Kraft grated parmesan cheese is a good option, as it comes with a flavour lock cap to maintain freshness.
4C Grated Parmesan Cheese:
4C grated parmesan cheese is known for its realism in terms of flavour and texture. It is salty, slightly funky, and has a chewy texture that is not rubbery.
BelGioioso Shredded Parmesan Cheese:
BelGioioso offers shredded parmesan cheese that comes in a 5-ounce plastic cup. It is known for its thin, dainty shreds that melt quickly when added to hot pasta dishes.
Milano's Grated Imported Parmesan Cheese:
Milano's offers a 16-oz or 20-oz shaker top jar of grated imported parmesan cheese. It is made from pure cow's milk, is gluten-free, and does not contain fillers. However, some long-time buyers have noted a decline in quality and flavour.
Pecorino Romano:
Pecorino Romano is a hard Italian cheese with a nutty flavour and a slightly tougher texture compared to other options. It is a good choice if you prefer a funkier cheese.
Asiago Cheese:
Asiago is a semi-hard Italian cheese similar to parmesan but with a nuttier and creamier taste. It is excellent for melting into pasta dishes and is a popular choice for marinara sauce and three-cheese sauce recipes.
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Best for salads
Grated Parmesan cheese can be a great addition to salads, providing sharpness and nuttiness to the dish. Many people suggest that the best option is to buy a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself. However, if you're looking for convenience, there are several highly-recommended grated Parmesan cheeses available at grocery stores.
Buitoni
Buitoni grated Parmesan is highly accessible and is considered by some to be better than most other grocery store brands. It is the perfect complement to a pungent, nutty Caesar salad.
BelGioioso
BelGioioso grated Parmesan comes in a 5-ounce plastic cup and is considered by some to be the best option for grated Parmesan. It features thin, dainty shreds that melt as soon as they hit a hot bowl of sauced pasta. The packaging is also lightweight and minimises waste.
Mama Francesca
Mama Francesca's blend of Parmesan, Asiago, and Romano cheeses is a bit funkier than regular Parmesan. It has a tougher texture, but its unique flavour might be worth it.
Kraft
Kraft's Parmesan-Romano blend is considered by some to be the best option for powdered Parmesan. It has a great balance of salt, a slight funk, and a good old-fashioned Parmesan flavour. It also has the tell-tale Kraft fluffiness.
4C
If you're looking for a realistic powdered Parmesan, 4C is a good option. It is salty, a little funky, and has a chewy texture that isn't rubbery.
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Frequently asked questions
The best pre-grated Parmesan cheese is the one that comes closest to the real deal, freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. The best option for this is 4C, which has no additives and preservatives and simply tastes like good grated Parmesan. If you prefer your Parmesan to be fluffier and less salty, Kraft is the best option.
The best type of Parmesan cheese is Parmigiano-Reggiano, which is made in Parma, Italy, according to strict traditional standards. This is the real deal and is often considered to be the best option for freshly grated Parmesan.
If you are looking for an affordable option, the cheapest option available to you will likely be good enough. Most pre-grated Parmesan cheeses found in the pasta aisle taste the same, and the cheapest option will usually be the best value for money.
Private Selection Parmesan, found at Kroger-owned grocery stores, is a good option for a cheese board. It has a cheddar-like sharpness and is less salty than other Parmesan cheeses, making it a good pairing with crackers and salami.
