Nearly 2,000 varieties of cheese exist in the world, which means even the most sophisticated cheese connoisseur might still have some cheeses to explore. With this many different types, cheese lovers need to be able to categorize cheese the same way you categorize everything else you love — from books to movies to sports or types of pasta. Along with the all-important tasting notes, texture is another way to distinguish cheese. Understanding different cheese textures will help you determine which cheese to use for different occasions and how to select new cheeses to try on your lifelong cheese tasting journey.

What affects cheese texture?

Moisture content and aging are the two main factors that determine texture in a cheese. To keep it simple:

• the lower the moisture content, the firmer the cheese.
• the longer the aging process, the firmer the texture of the cheese.

In essence, the firmness of a cheese is what determines its texture, which can range from soft to hard. When shopping for cheese and trying to decide what texture to get, a good rule of thumb is to work backwards from how you want to use that cheese. Are you making a pizza, slicing for a sandwich, cubing for a cheese board, or sprinkling over a salad? Use our quick guide below to help you figure out what cheese texture you need based on how you plan to enjoy your cheese!

What are the main types of cheese texture?

Cheese texture is classified under the four following categories:

Hard

Hard cheese is made by removing most of the whey from the curds and applying pressure to them. The cheese is then left to develop its own unique edible rind, or is sometimes given a wax rind. Since hard cheese is aged longer, it tends to have a richer flavor spectrum. Expect hard cheeses to be rich, aromatic and complex in flavor with an occasional sweet aftertaste.

Common hard cheeses include Parmesan and Grana Padano. These hard cheeses are the best choice for grating and crumbling. They’re also perfect for snacking on alone or for adding a little extra pizazz to a cheese board. Pro tip: keep the edible rinds for adding to soups for a slow cooked flavor that lends richness to your favorite dish.

Semi-hard

This lower moisture content category is home to some of the most popular and hardest working cheeses, like cheddar and swiss. These cheeses are aged less than hard cheeses and then set in wax rinds, which help prevent unwanted mold and keep the semi-hard cheese at the right moisture content level. Chances are you always have at least one semi-hard cheese in your refrigerator at all times, as this category covers lots of the most popular sandwich and cracker cheeses.

Common semi-hard cheeses include cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, Havarti, and Asiago. While flavor profiles are always multifaceted, semi-hard cheese texture usually signals a relatively mild flavor. However, some semi-hard cheeses are aged longer, which lends to sharper varieties and occasionally a more pungent flavor— like Swiss.

Cheeses with a semi-hard texture are incredibly versatile and can meet just about any cheese need. They slice well, making them an obvious choice for both sandwiches and cheese boards alike. When preparing a classic comfort dish like macaroni cheese or grilled cheese, any semi-hard cheese will deliver a creamy, yummy result.

Semi-soft

The biggest difference between semi-soft and soft cheese is that the semi-soft cheeses usually have a rind, albeit a softer and edible one, due to a mold that forms during the short aging process. Common types of semi-soft cheese include Fontal, Muenster, and provolone. Flavor profiles for semi-soft cheeses can range from buttery and salty to more pungent and earthy, depending on how long they are aged.

Semi-soft cheeses make slicing a breeze, which makes them ideal for sandwiches and cheese boards, like semi-hard cheeses. Where they really stand out, though, is with melting. Try some of Cello’s rubbed Fontals on your next pizza for an extra kick of flavor.

Soft

This category is also sometimes described as “fresh” cheese because the cheese isn’t aged. Soft cheeses have a higher moisture content and no rinds. Common soft cheeses include Mascarpone, mozzarella, feta, and Chevre. The soft cheese category boasts a broad spectrum of flavors, from mild to complex, making it a fun cheese texture category to experiment with. From spreading on your favorite cracker to crumbling over your next salad, scrambled egg breakfast, or homemade pizza, some of these lesser-known soft cheeses can add a gourmet twist on an everyday meal.

Off to the Cheese Counter

Now that you understand the similarities and differences between the cheese textures, it’s time to apply what you learned at your local grocer. It’s easier to find the kind you want when you can describe the texture you need for your cheesing occasion. Ask your local cheesemonger (or our Cello Cheese chat feature) to walk you through the selection process. And don’t be shy, make sure to ask for samples to make sure you get the texture you need!

Through understanding cheese texture, taste, and use, you can really start to have some fun. Play around with your different options and learn what cheeses can be substituted for others so you can put your own spin on traditional recipes by trying different cheeses as key ingredients.

Want to learn even more about pairing, selecting, and cooking with cheese? Sign up for our newsletter, or download our guide to get help using these texture tips to create the perfect cheese board for your next get-together. You’ll be cheesing confidently in no time.

Make Your Cheese Board

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Mascarpone cheese doesn’t have as much name recognition as cheese board favorites like Parmesan and cheddar. But if you can’t pass up a dessert offering of tiramisu when you’re at your favorite restaurant, chances are you love Mascarpone cheese without even realizing it. This decadent cheese is a favorite among bakers, but it’s not only for baking. Once you know all the ways you can use Mascarpone cheese and learn about the depth of its flavor and versatility, you’ll always want to keep a cup in your refrigerator.

What is Mascarpone cheese?

Mascarpone cheese is a soft, slightly sweet and a tad bit tart, spreadable cheese often described as an Italian sweet cream cheese. Mascarpone is probably most well-known as the key ingredient in Italian desserts like tiramisu and cannoli.

If you think Mascarpone is just like cream cheese, you’ll be surprised and probably delighted to learn Mascarpone is richer and sweeter. Mascarpone has a more velvety texture, lending it to easier spreading and opening up possibilities as both a cream cheese substitute and the star of its unique set of dishes.

But before we explore all you can do with Mascarpone, let’s take a look at how this indulgent cheese is made.

How is Mascarpone cheese made?

This Italian cheese originated in the Lombardy region in the Northern part of Italy, bordering Switzerland. The landscape of this part of Italy boasts large lakes and rolling mountainsides that lend to rich alpine pastures, creating some of the richest cow’s milk in the country. Here, centuries of artisan cheesemakers have created their recipes for some of Italy’s best-known cheeses, like Mascarpone.

The process for making this cheese usually involves heating heavy cream and adding citric acid to the mixture, which combines to create that signature texture and taste. Staying true to our commitment to quality cheese-making, Cello uses only the finest quality Wisconsin dairy products in our artisan approach to make high quality, delicious Mascarpone.

What are simple ways to use Mascarpone?

Mascarpone has been recently discovered by a new following of creative bakers and aspiring dessert aficionados as the star ingredient behind no-bake cheesecake. If your family and friends have a sweet tooth, you’ll want to try making some other treats with Mascarpone. Below are a few simple yet crowd pleasing suggestions for ways to showcase this cheese.

1. Coffee topping: Keep some Mascarpone in your refrigerator for an easy and decadent addition to your morning coffee. Mascarpone topped coffee is also a great option to serve alongside dessert. If you love a routine stop at your favorite coffee spot but hate the long lines, try making this delicious Mascarpone espresso at home before you hit the road.
2. Waffle topping: Whether you whip up homemade waffles on the weekend, or prefer a quick toaster style waffle, try topping your next one with a layer of Mascarpone and a drizzle of maple syrup. If you have guests, sprinkle some cinnamon on top or garnish with a sprig of mint for some extra flair that’s sure to impress.
3. Peanut Butter and Mascarpone sandwich: Move over jelly, because peanut butter has met its match. Take two fresh or slightly toasted bread slices and spread one side with peanut butter and the other with Mascarpone. The result is added creamy sweetness that makes for a filling and tasty breakfast sandwich or a new take on a lunchtime classic.
4. Straight up: Spoon some Mascarpone into a small bowl, drizzle with honey, and scatter some fresh fruit on top. This creamy and buttery cheese also makes a great dip for strawberries, raspberries, or any other seasonal fruit.
5. Spread it on thick: Forget the butter. Scones, muffins, and cinnamon bread can all be elevated when spread with a little Mascarpone.

Take Mascarpone Up a Notch

Just because Mascarpone is known for its sweetness, doesn’t mean it should be relegated as a dessert only ingredient. You can incorporate this cheese into a variety of dishes.

Hors d’oeuvres: Simple dessert recipes can often also double as a sweet appetizer. The tang and texture of figs pair beautifully with velvety Mascarpone for a delicious hors d’oeuvres or a spotlight addition to your cheeseboard. For an easy display, serve some dried fruits and nuts with Mascarpone on the side.

Pasta and Potatoes: Carb lovers, rejoice! Just about every Italian cheese pairs well with pasta, but Mascarpone is often overlooked as a way to elevate and add creaminess to an everyday sauce. The creamy texture creates a velvety sauce for a variety of pasta types. Just add a couple spoonfuls of Mascarpone to your traditional tomato sauce next time and watch it transform to something far richer than basic spaghetti.

Mascarpone is so versatile it can be used in a number of potato dishes, too. Combine cream cheese with Mascarpone in twice baked potatoes or your family’s secret homemade mashed potato recipe to put your own twist on a classic dish.

If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out all the ways you can pair Mascarpone with food and drinks, and you’ll be cheesing confidently in no time.

Find Cello Cheese Mascarpone at your nearest store here, and download our guide below to learn how to incorporate it into a cheese board display that’s sure to be a hit with all of your fellow cheese lovers.

Make Your Cheese Board

You already know Parmesan is a must-have cheese, perfect solo for snacking, on a cheeseboard, and as an ingredient in numerous dishes from salads to entrees to desserts. While Parmesan alone is an unparalleled all-star, there’s always room to share the spotlight. That’s why we carefully crafted our signature Copper Kettle Parmesan cheese. This spin on Parmesan is so unique, many of you have asked us how you can do more than just snack on this sweet, complex cheese alone. You want to use it to create new masterpieces, so we’ve created a complete guide to Copper Kettle recipes, pairings, and all things featuring this one-of-a-kind cheese.

About Our Hand-Crafted Copper Kettle

Copper Kettle Parmesan’s name is derived from how it’s made. This cheese is handcrafted in special copper vats using a unique recipe in the authentic Italian cheesemaking tradition, perfected over centuries with only all natural ingredients. The result is a parmesan cheese with a rich, creamy, and sweet taste you can’t find anywhere else.

Head Cheesemaker Christophe Megevand begins the recipe with the freshest milk from local dairy farms in Wisconsin’s Lake Country area. A recipe is then followed in the same authentic Italian Cheese making tradition of other hard cheeses like Grana Padano and Parmesan before aging the cheese for 16 months. The result is a cheese that offers an unmatched combination of fruity and sweet flavor with notes of crushed apple and cooked caramel.

Copper Kettle Pairings

Copper Kettle Parmesan can be paired with foods you may not regularly associate with Parmesan. Because of its inherent sweetness, Copper Kettle dances across your tastebuds perfectly with a piece of dark chocolate and a drizzle of honey. Sip a glass of Chardonnay alongside for a truly decadent treat.

Copper Kettle is also a great cheese to use when serving savory dishes. The mellow sweetness nicely balances out a savory salad or main entree. Try sprinkling it on an arugula salad to sweeten up the slightly tart greens and enjoy the added dimension it brings to a crisp salad.

Aside from Chardonnay, Copper Kettle pairs perfectly with most beers and ciders. This cheese has such complex flavors to highlight, it’s hard to go wrong.

Copper Kettle Recipes and Entertaining

If you’re known for creating an ideal cheese board or you just love having cheese on-hand for snacking and cooking, you can feel confident that adding Copper Kettle Parmesan to your offerings is a winning plan.

On a cheese board, consider serving Copper Kettle Parmesan with a dried fruit combination, like cranberries or blueberries, and a spicy honey or a fig jam. It’s also delicious when paired with more savory options like olives, salted nuts, and cured meats.

If you can’t get enough pumpkin in the Fall, here’s a nice option for a Pumpkin Parmesan Souffle that’s ideal for an autumn brunch or a holiday side dish! And if you love to impress with fun appetizers, this recipe for a Copper Kettle and Fontina Crostini is quick to prepare and unique enough that you know you’ll be bringing a true showstopper to the party. Save this recipe for a must-have on your entertaining list.

Another option perfect for berry season— this one can do double duty as an appetizer or a dessert— is this Fresh Berry Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze. If you want something quick, try Copper Kettle Chisels paired with dark chocolates, fresh seasonal fruit and a pound cake. The options are endless!

Copper Kettle in the Kitchen

When you have Copper Kettle Parmesan at the ready, you’ll always have something delicious to cook up. Whether it’s a quick appetizer, weeknight meal for the family, or a dish to take to a friend’s house, using Copper Kettle as an ingredient will definitely have everyone asking for the recipe. It’s up to you whether you want to keep that recipe a secret or share!

To improvise on adding this cheese into your normal recipe rotation, consider working in some grated Copper Kettle Parmesan in mashed potatoes or creamy risottos for an authentic Italian taste. It’s delicious shaved over top of roasted vegetables, especially earthy root vegetables like sweet potatoes, parsnips, and carrots.

A classic macaroni and cheese is always a favorite, and this Five Cheese Macaroni and Cheese can please both the kids and the adults when served alone or as a side dish. If you love to grill and want to take advantage of the summer weather, try Copper Kettle freshly grated on any food hot off the grill. Consider tossing grilled chicken wings with your favorite fresh herbs, olive oil and some grated Copper Kettle for a surprising smokey and sweet taste. Thinly sliced pieces add a gourmet taste to your burgers and chicken breasts, too!

When the temps cool down again, your instant pot or slow-cooker will be ready to get to work for you. Whether you like soup or you prefer heartier dishes like stews or chilis, the subtle sweet and creamy flavor of Copper Kettle Parmesan will complement one-dish wonders. If you love to get the slow cooker working on cool days or you like to host game day gatherings, we recommend this Three Bean chili recipe for its quick prep time and high score on taste.

No matter how you choose to explore Copper Kettle, the variety will leave you satisfied. Look for it in your grocer’s cheese case in all its delicious forms:

• Wedges
• Shredded
• Chisels

If you love cheese and love to find new recipes and ways to enjoy cheese, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. You’ll cheese confidently and deliciously every time.

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P.S. If you need some extra help putting together that crowd-pleasing cheese board we mentioned earlier, start by downloading our guide.

Make Your Cheese Board

Do rainy days put you in the mood for a grilled cheese sandwich? Does looking at a casserole dish of macaroni and cheese take you back to your grandmother’s kitchen? If the smell of a fresh-baked pizza reminds you of board game nights when you were a kid, you aren’t alone.

Cooking with cheese often sparks nostalgia with us, because it makes us reminisce about our favorite foods from childhood. These dishes are classic because they stand the test of time. Many of us spent more time cooking during the pandemic and we found ourselves returning to some of these classic dishes for comfort.

As we continued to rediscover grandma’s macaroni and cheese and mom’s grilled cheese recipes, we began to think about how we can add a modern, grown-up twist to these classics and still get the same delicious results. While looking back invokes a sense of safety and satisfaction, this feels like the right time to begin to build new food memories we can look back on. Here are a few of our favorite updated recipes.

Cooking With Cheese: How to Update Your Favorite Childhood Recipes

Rainy Day Grilled Cheese

There’s something about rainy weather that results in a grilled cheese craving every time. It’s the warm gooey goodness of melted cheese and crisp grilled bread that feels like a warm blanket wrapped around you. Chances are, the grilled cheese of your childhood was made with a processed cheese (you know, the kind that comes sliced and in plastic wrap) and white bread. Maybe you have adapted that recipe since, but there are a variety of ways to make this classic more modern — and delicious —with some of our specialty cheeses.

The easiest way to switch up a grilled cheese is to try different combinations of cheeses. Your grown-up taste buds will revel at the union of Fontal and a grated cheese like, Grana Padano, on a toasted baguette. Or, try incorporating veggies in your sandwich like in this Three Italian Grilled Cheese. Another easy option is to add some sprinkled cheese to the buttered side of the bread before it hits the pan. The result will be a lightly cheese crusted grilled cheese, plus we all know that more cheese means even more cozy comfort on that rainy day.

Even though drizzly weather is usually what sparks the craving for a grilled cheese, expanding the occasions for when you reach for those two pieces of bread can open up a whole new, cheesy world. A lazy Sunday brunch featuring grilled cheese with a delightful Mayan Cocoa and Coffee cheese pairs perfectly with scrambled eggs and mimosas. Another sweet option is to pair a flavored bread, like cinnamon raisin bread, with creamy Mascarpone and Copper Kettle.

Grilled cheese for dessert? The child and the grown-up in you will say yes to this Parmesan and Chocolate Grilled Cheese.

Classic Macaroni and Cheese

If you have a macaroni and cheese dish that’s a crowd favorite, you may think you don’t want to mess with the classic, secret recipe — whether it’s grandma’s or your own creation. In either case, adding a new cheese to the dish can result in a layered taste guaranteed to surprise and delight.

Most macaroni and cheese recipes use cheddar as the main cheese ingredient, so substituting a portion of the cheese with another cheese is an easy way to explore a new taste. Consider substituting Fontal for a portion of the cheddar cheese. You may already love this buttery cheese on a cheese board or sliced thinly on a sandwich, but Fontal is a cheese that melts flawlessly and can complement a variety of dishes.

Looking for something bolder? Flavored cheeses that melt well are a great option to add to your macaroni and cheese. If this is your main dish, you can be adventurous and try a bold cheese like Dijon and Herb. If the macaroni and cheese is a side for smoky ribs or barbecue chicken, try adding a milder taste, like Creamy Dill. If the main dish is an Italian entree, consider adding a cheese with an Italian inspired taste, like Fontal Tuscan flavored cheese.

If you don’t want to adjust your cheese ratio and are looking for a more subtle switch-up, consider sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese upon serving the dish and adding a garnish or fresh parsley, dill, or chopped basil.

Pizza Time

Pizza from the local pizza shop is a delicious treat, and many trips to the pizza shop also double as a fun family outing. But, making homemade pizza with your family or having friends over for a make-your-own pizza party takes this favorite food to the next level. The standard mozzarella cheese pizza is an all around hit, but substituting mozzarella with a completely different cheese can result in a gourmet pizza sensation.

If you want to keep mozzarella as your main star, use a vegetable peeler and shave some Parmesan on the crust and bake for just a few minutes. Then remove the pizza crust and complete by adding sauce, mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of Romano cheese before returning to the hot oven to finish your gourmet pizza creation.

As with any dish, the easiest way to add a touch of flavor is to sprinkle with grated cheese upon serving. Try a sprinkle of Romano cheese, Grana Padano or the standard Italian Blend on a hot pizza and you will be more than happy with the results.

Discovering new taste combinations can be a fun way to spend time preparing meals your friends and family can enjoy. Knowing when and how to substitute cheese will mean you can cheese confidently while putting a grown-up twist on your favorite childhood classics.

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A dreamy sunset, the pop of a wine bottle, and the sound of your family and friends laughing — sounds like something we’ve all missed since the pandemic brought gathering to a halt, right? Now that we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s time to shift gear to in-person entertaining. But wait? Do we even remember how to throw parties? Is the patio clean? Do we have enough glasses?

And, the most daunting question: what’s on the menu?

Planning a summer party post-pandemic doesn’t have to be stressful. Remember, you have the key ingredients of mild weather and great company already. We can’t come put the patio furniture out for you, but we can make menu planning easy for you and your fellow cheese loving friends (because we know only the cheesiest will be invited).

This roundup of summer recipes for entertaining is based around one of our favorites: Parmesan cheese. This menu will leave guests raving about your culinary skills while giving you more time to enjoy the evening and less time cooking. If you don’t have Parmesan cheese on-hand, fear not! Find a store near you that carries Cello Parmesan, or check out what makes a great substitute here.

Easy, Breezy, Cheesy Summer Recipes for Entertaining

The Appetizers

What party is complete without a cheeseboard? You will cheese confidently in any situation after reading our primer on Creating the Perfect Cheeseboard. But, if you want to keep with the low-key vibe, look for one of our Cello Cheese Flights at your favorite grocer— it’s already an ideal pairing of delicious cheeses with no guesswork. Simply add a selection of meats, some fresh fruits, and nuts alongside the flight and you have an elaborate cheeseboard.

Whether you’ve built the cheeseboard or bought a prepared Cello Cheese Flight, the ideal complement to your cheeseboard is a tangy crunch. This Alabama Firecracker is a quick and spicy appetizer. You might be pleasantly surprised to find this tasty cracker is prepared with mostly pantry staples, and of course, Cello Parmesan cheese.

The Main Course

There is perhaps no better main course in the summertime than one that features grilled shrimp. Its light fare and quick prep time make it a delicious summer dish. We love this easy and flavorful recipe created by @joyfulhealthyeats. These savory and spicy shrimp are mellowed out exquisitely with delectable grated Cello Parmesan cheese as the finishing touch.

If this is your main dish for a seated dinner, consider adding a light pasta pairing and a salad prepared with the season’s freshest ingredients! A fresh loaf of Italian bread will also be a nice addition. If you have the time and want to further impress, consider this easy recipe for Parmesan Biscuits that also incorporates fresh summer herbs.

The Sweet Ending

What’s a fun get-together without a sweet treat? This recipe packs an unexpected twist with the decadent combination of light and crispy Cheese Whisps, ice cream, and chocolate syrup. If you want to experiment by making your own ice cream, this one is definitely for you. If you are in a time crunch, you can be adventurous by trying different flavors of store-bought ice cream, like rich french vanilla, pistachio, or any of your other favorite flavors.

These can be made in advance and drizzled with syrup before serving, or you can have your guests join the fun by making their own ice cream wheels.

Looking for an even easier sweet treat? Simply pick up the freshest fruit available at your local farmers market or grocery store and serve drizzled with fresh honey, chopped mint, or even a drizzle of bottled chocolate or caramel syrup. Top it all off with a serving of delicious and creamy Mascarpone cheese.

The beauty of a meal planned around Parmesan is that the cheese pairs nicely with your favorite white or favorite red wine. And, if the event is a real celebration, don’t hesitate to pop a bottle of champagne as well.

If you want more ways to impress your guests, sign up for our monthly newsletter and get our latest articles and advice on how to cheese confidently in any season.

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Picture this: you finally carve out time to read your favorite food blogger’s latest post (or Cello recipe!) or pick up that cookbook you’ve been using as a coaster. Suddenly, you find that one recipe — the one that makes your mouth water, and you instantly know your family or guests will fall in love. You’re ready to make it now, and you have all the ingredients except for the one that makes the dish: the perfect cheese.

Don’t fret! The beauty of cheese is that the countless varieties means you can usually find a substitute for whatever your recipe calls for– or whatever you might be craving. Understanding some of the subtleties of cheese can help you be prepared for any recipe or impromptu occasion, too.

Knowing what cheese can substitute for another is not only a time-saver, it can also provide a new tweak or twist to one of your favorite dishes. Maybe you’ll discover that the chicken Parmesan you love is even better when it becomes chicken Grana Padano.

Here’s a breakdown of some of our most popular cheeses and how you can swap them around and still maintain the integrity of just about any dish:

What to Substitute for Parmesan

Parmesan is one of the most popular cheeses and typically used in many Italian dishes, but it also is great standalone on a cheese board or grated on roasted or grilled vegetables. Parmesan cheese is centuries old and has stood the test of time because of its versatility. Cello’s Parmesan is aged for 12 months, making it a classic and mellow cheese and an ideal staple in any kitchen.

Uses: Shaved or grated on almost any Italian dish. Salads burst with flavor, pasta is more tasty, and it’s an unexpected ingredient in breading chicken cutlet or mixed in meatballs.

Subs: Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano

What to Substitute for Asiago

Asiago cheese is closest to Parmesan, but this cheese is actually a bit sweeter. It’s a semi-hard yet smooth cheese with a slightly nutty flavor. Asiago offers a mild sharpness that doesn’t overwhelm, but rather accents a mellow vegetable or meat dish.

Uses: Asiago is a great snacking cheese paired with nuts or fresh fruit. Try grating it on your favorite roasted vegetables or as the secret ingredient in a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.

Subs: Pecorino Romano, Parmesan, Swiss

What to Substitute for Grana Padano

This cheese actually translated to “grain,” which does not make it an ideal melting cheese, but it’s a great crumbly cheese. Grana Padano is known for its strong taste and distinctly buttery, nutty flavor. Like some of the other similar cheeses listed here, it’s a great enhancement to most any Italian dish, but it especially complements soups and creamy risottos. Mix Grana Padano into a tomato or rose sauce for a special zing!

Uses: Add it to a cheese board, crumble on soups, vegetable dishes, or risottos for a strong finish.

Subs: Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, Asiago

What to Substitute for Pecorino Romano

Think of Pecorino Romano simply as a sharper and saltier Parmesan and you’ll be set. Pecorino Romano is aged for less time than Parmesan, which lends to its piquant, slightly salty taste. This sharper bite makes it a delightful change-up in your favorite Italian tomato dish and really packs a flavor punch when paired with olives on a cheese board.

Uses: Decadent grated on pasta or a casserole, it’s also a unique touch to a flatbread or pizza and is always enjoyable on a cheese board with dried fruits and nuts.

Subs: Manchego, Parmesan, Asiago, Grana Padano

What to Substitute for Fontal

The beauty of Fontal is its versatility. This cheese is known for its creamy texture and has the slightest sweet-tart aftertaste. A combination like this means it’s a great melting cheese and an ideal “secret” ingredient in a variety of recipes. Fontal can also sometimes be a more affordable option in the specialty cheese category due to its shortened ripening time. This also means it’s an excellent cheese to always have on-hand to pair with your favorite dishes.

Uses: Think of this as your all day cheese. Fontal is great in egg dishes like frittatas and omelettes, a perfect sandwich ingredient, and a delightful pasta and pizza cheese.

Subs: Provolone, gruyere, mozzarella

What to Always Have On-hand

Picking up an assortment of the above cheeses should mean you’ll always be covered no matter what your recipe calls for or what you’re in the mood to snack on. It’s also a great idea to select a shredded cheese assortment, like Cello’s Italian Blend cheese. This mixture of Parmesan, Asiago, and Romano cheeses highlight the textures and flavors of these unique yet similar cheeses. Sprinkle this blend into any dish and note how the flavors work together to make everything just a bit more delicious!

You can cheese more confidently when you understand the similarities and differences among the many cheeses available. In no time, you’ll be tweaking your recipes by substituting cheeses and creating your own signature cheese style.

Learn how to turn any of these cheeses and their substitutes in a beautiful, crowd-pleasing cheese board with our eBook, and be sure to grab the Cello cheese you need at the store nearest you.

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