Cheese And Pasta: The Perfect Melty Combination

There are many types of cheese that can be used in pasta, and the choice often comes down to personal preference. However, some cheeses are more commonly used in pasta dishes than others. For example, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Parmesan, is a classic choice that can be grated or melted and pairs well with tomato-based pasta dishes. Other popular options include mozzarella, ricotta, pecorino romano, gorgonzola, and cheddar cheese. The type of cheese used can also depend on the specific pasta dish being prepared, such as Cacio e Pepe, which typically uses pecorino romano, or baked pasta dishes which often use mozzarella for that signature gooey, stringy texture.

Mozzarella is best for baked pasta dishes

Mozzarella is a soft Italian cheese with a mild, creamy flavour and a stretchy, melted texture. It is made from buffalo milk or cow's milk. It is the best cheese for pasta as a topping for that delicious gooey stringy texture. It is also the best melting cheese for pasta, perfect for a stretchy cheese for pasta that have a lot of sauce or are baked.

Mozzarella is great for pasta bakes and is often used in baked pasta dishes that require a creamy base. It is a staple of many traditional cheese pasta dishes and is a quarter of the standard four-cheese sauce. It is also used in pasta salads.

Mozzarella is just about as Italian as you can get, and there is no wonder it is a staple of many traditional cheese pasta dishes. It is also the best cheese for baked ziti and many cheese bake pasta casserole dishes.

Mozzarella melts remarkably well and is often melted into pasta sauces or used to top off oven-baked dishes. It is a good choice for pasta bakes that require a creamy base, such as a multi-layered lasagne or a homemade tuna pasta bake.

Mozzarella is also great for a pasta sauce and can be melted into a four-cheese pasta sauce, making it another versatile pasta cheese. It is also great for three-cheese ravioli filling.

Parmesan is a classic choice

Parmesan, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a hard Italian cheese that has often been chosen as the best cheese in the world. It is the most versatile cheese in Italy when it comes to pasta dishes. Parmesan is the best grated cheese for pasta, making it the best cheese for spaghetti. It adds a depth of rich, nutty, and slightly salty taste that can be a defining flavor in many pasta recipes like butter and cheese pasta.

Parmesan is an excellent choice for any tomato-based pasta recipes like spaghetti bolognese, fettuccine alfredo, spaghetti carbonara, pasta primavera, baked ziti, four-cheese pasta sauce recipe, or lasagna. It is also often found in three-cheese ravioli filling. Parmesan is also a key ingredient in the classic Italian dish Cacio e Pepe, which translates to "cheese and pepper" in English.

Parmesan is perfect for grating and melting. Traditional parmesan from Italy can only be called Parmigiano-Reggiano if it’s from designated areas of the country, but the recipe has been exported across the world.

Parmesan is a timeless classic, and there’s never a recipe that won’t be complemented by this versatile cheese!

Ricotta is used to thicken sauces

Ricotta is a type of whey cheese that is wonderfully creamy and thick. It is prepared from any leftover whey, be it from cow or goat’s milk. Its creamy and thick texture makes it perfect for thickening sauces.

Ricotta is best used in pasta dishes such as lasagna or a pasta bake. It also goes well with spinach and other green vegetables, giving pasta a creamy finish. It is also one of the 'four cheese' options you get on pizzas.

Ricotta Salata is very similar to standard ricotta, but it is not as well-known. It is much more crumbly and much saltier than its cousin. It is aged for a lot longer, giving it a much stronger flavour. As it is crumbly, it goes well when sprinkled on top of short pasta such as rigatoni or penne, accompanied by tomato or pesto sauces.

Ricotta is one of the best cheeses to use for cheese-filled pasta favourites like stuffed shells, cannelloni, manicotti, and ravioli. It is also one of the cheeses used in many of the popular four-cheese pasta dishes. It is also perfect for thickening sauces and adding a creamy texture to dishes like rigatoni with sausage and ricotta or spinach and ricotta pasta. It can also be mixed into cheese and pasta recipes like lasagna or baked ziti.

Pecorino Romano is best suited for grating

Pecorino Romano is a hard Italian cheese made from sheep's milk. It has a strong, salty taste and is one of Italy's oldest varieties of cheese, dating back to the Roman era. Its sharp flavour means a little goes a long way, so it is best used sparingly as a garnish.

Pecorino Romano is a versatile cheese that can be used to add depth of flavour to many pasta dishes. It is a popular choice for grating because of its strong flavour and hard texture, which makes it ideal for melting into a sauce or sprinkling on top of a finished dish.

In addition to its use in pasta dishes, Pecorino Romano can also be grated over other Italian dishes such as ragu or bolognese. Its strong flavour means that a little goes a long way, so it is best to start with a small amount and add more to taste.

Cheddar is a popular alternative

Cheddar cheese is a sharp, tangy cheese that adds a creamy texture to pasta dishes. It is a popular choice for baked pasta recipes, such as a four-cheese sauce pasta bake or spaghetti and meatballs. Its ability to melt easily makes it a good option for creating a smooth and creamy sauce.

White cheddar, with its sharper flavour, is an excellent choice for a cheese sauce, such as a cheese garlic sauce. It is also considered the best cheese for a classic comfort food: mac and cheese.

Cheddar is widely available in supermarkets across the US and UK, and its familiarity makes it a convenient and affordable option for those who don't want to venture too far from the familiar. It is also a good substitute for those who don't have access to traditional Italian cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano.

While cheddar may not be the first choice for an authentic Italian pasta dish, it is a versatile and tasty alternative that can add a creamy, tangy twist to your meal.

Frequently asked questions