Andy Montoya
Parmesan is a staple of lasagna, but which type of parmesan is best? Parmigiano Reggiano is the true parmesan, made in a particular way in a particular region of Italy. However, for lasagna, you can use a cheaper alternative, as the small differences between the two will be buried in a dish with so many ingredients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Parmigiano Reggiano is the "true" parmesan, made in a particular region of Italy |
| Taste | Salty, savoury |
| Texture | Authentic parmesan has a distinct texture, but other parmesans may be more mild |
| Substitutes | Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano |
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What You'll Learn
Parmigiano Reggiano is the 'true' parmesan, but for lasagna, you can use a cheaper alternative
Parmigiano Reggiano is the true parmesan, made in a particular way in a specific region of Italy. However, for lasagna, you can use a cheaper alternative. While Parmigiano Reggiano is the authentic and traditional parmesan, other parmesans can be used to capture a similar taste and texture. For example, a mid-tier parmesan will work fine for lasagna, as any small difference in taste or texture between the two will be buried in a dish with multiple ingredients.
When making lasagna, mozzarella is essential for a gooey, melty result, and ricotta is a staple. However, the combination of ricotta and mascarpone creates the absolute best cheese filling. This combination results in a rich, creamy layer that perfectly complements the sauce and noodles. If you need to, you can substitute more ricotta cheese or make your own mascarpone by beating 8 ounces of cream cheese with 1/4 cup of heavy cream until smooth and creamy.
In addition to Parmigiano Reggiano, other cheeses that can be used in lasagna include Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano, which provide a similar salty, sharp flavour to parmesan. Fontina is another option, as it melts beautifully and has a mild taste.
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Mozzarella is a must for lasagna
Mozzarella is one of three cheeses in an easy lasagna recipe, the other two being ricotta and parmesan. However, some recipes add more cheeses, such as mascarpone, provolone, and fontina.
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Ricotta is a staple in lasagna
While you can use any kind of parmesan cheese for lasagna, there are different types to be aware of. Parmigiano Reggiano is the "true" parmesan, made in a particular way in a particular region of Italy. Other parmesans attempt to capture the same taste and texture but may be more mild or have a slightly different texture. For most applications, a mid-tier parmesan will be fine. However, ricotta is a staple in lasagna. It is often combined with mascarpone to create a rich, creamy layer that perfectly complements the sauce and noodles. This mixture can be used as a filling, firmed up with egg. The lasagna can be assembled in under 20 minutes, with the longest task being shredding the cheese.
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Mascarpone adds extra creaminess
While there are many types of parmesan cheese, when it comes to lasagna, you can use a mid-tier or regular block parmesan. The small differences between the types of parmesan will be buried in a dish like lasagna. However, if you want to add extra creaminess to your lasagna, mascarpone is the way to go. Mascarpone adds a rich, creamy layer that perfectly complements the sauce and noodles. It's a secret ingredient for the best cheese lasagna. You can substitute more ricotta cheese or make your own mascarpone by beating 8 ounces of cream cheese with 1/4 cup of heavy cream until smooth and creamy. Parmesan, on the other hand, provides a salty, savoury flavour. For a similar salty, sharp flavour, you can try Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano.
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Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano are good alternatives for a salty, sharp flavour
Parmesan cheese is a popular choice for lasagna as it provides a salty, savoury flavour. For a similar salty, sharp flavour, Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano are good alternatives. These cheeses can be substituted for parmesan in a lasagna recipe to create a different flavour profile.
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Frequently asked questions
For lasagna, you can use regular block parmesan. Parmigiano Reggiano is the "true" parmesan, but it's more expensive and the difference in taste will be buried in a dish like lasagna.
Mozzarella, ricotta, mascarpone, and fontina are all popular choices for lasagna.
Parmesan provides a salty, savoury flavour.
For a similar salty, sharp flavour, you can use Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano.
