Asiago cheese is a hard Italian cheese utilized for centuries to add savor and texture to dishes. Its nutty, slightly sharp taste makes it the perfect partner for many recipes.
Unfortunately, due to its scarcity in certain areas, finding Asiago can be difficult.
Luckily, there are some great substitutes available that will give you identical flavor and texture without having to search far and wide.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best asiago cheese replacements so you don’t have to stress about missing out on your favorite dishes!
In short, " What can I use instead of asiago cheese?" Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Cheddar, Fontina, Gouda, Feta, Gruyère, Havarti, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Grana Padano, Nutritional Yeast, Cashew Cheese and many more.
What is asiago cheese, and what does asiago cheese taste like?
Asiago cheese is an Italian cheese that originated in the Asiago plateau in the Veneto region of northern Italy.
It is a semi-hard cheese produced from cow’s milk and comes in two main varieties: Asiago Pressato (fresh) and Asiago d’Allevo (aged).
Fresh Asiago cheese, also known as Asiago Pressato, has a mild and creamy flavor. It is young and soft, with a delicate taste that is slightly sweet and nutty.
The texture is soft and supple, making it easy to slice or spread. Fresh Asiago is often used in sandwiches, salads, and as a table cheese.
Aged Asiago cheese, known as Asiago d’Allevo, is more mature and has a stronger flavor. It is aged for several months, developing a firmer texture and a more pronounced, complex taste.
Aged Asiago has a sharper, nuttier flavor with hints of fruitiness and a slightly tangy finish.
It is often grated or shredded over pasta dishes, soups, and risottos and pairs well with bold flavors like cured meats and olives.
Overall, Asiago cheese offers a versatile range of flavors and textures, allowing it to be enjoyed in various culinary applications.
Learn more: What Can I Use In Place Of Boursin Cheese?
Uses of asiago cheese
Chefs often use asiago cheese to add complexity to dishes such as omelets, pasta dishes, pizza, soups, salads, sandwiches and casseroles.
It can use as a topping for grilled meats or vegetables, and it works particularly well on fish tacos. Asiago is also great melted or shaved over risotto for additional flavor.
Asiago is a very popular cheese because it’s versatile enough for savory and sweet dishes.
To create a sweet dish with Asiago, try grating it into an apple tart or baking it into bread like focaccia or crostata. It’s delicious melted-over fruits like pears or apples for a fresh take on baked fruit desserts.
The aging process plays an important role when selecting an asiago cheese – the longer the aging time, the sharper the taste will be. Milder Asiagos are aged for one month, while those aged up to five months.
It is an excellent protein, calcium, phosphorus, zinc and Vitamin A source. In addition to its culinary uses, aged Asiago is also popular for snacking on its own or with crackers or bread.
Additionally, it pairs well with many wines, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc; the saltiness of Asiago goes well with the acidity of these types of wines.
Happy cooking! 🙂
Where to buy asiago cheese?
If you are looking for asiago cheese where to buy, there are a few other places you can go. Many specialty food stores carry it, as do some international grocery stores.
You can also order online from many retailers that provide a variety of diverse flavors and types of asiago cheese.
11 Best Asiago Cheese Replacements
1. Parmigiano Reggiano – A good asiago cheese replacement
This Italian cheese has a sharp, salty flavor and is best when shaved or grated over dishes like salads and pasta.
Ratio or measurement: You can use it in the same ratio as you would Asiago cheese in most recipes.
2. Pecorino Romano – similar like asiago cheese
Pecorino Romano is a sharp and salty sheep’s milk cheese. Its robust flavor makes it ideal for grating over pasta, especially in dishes with tomato-based sauces. It can also be used in salads, roasted vegetables, and gratins.
Ratio or measurement: Use it in the same ratio as you would for Asiago cheese. Use a 1:1 ratio.
3. Try Cheddar to replace asiago cheese
Cheddar is milder than other substitutes on this list but still works well when mixed with other cheeses to give your dish some depth of flavor.
Ratio or measurement: The best way to use Cheddar instead of Asiago cheese is by mixing it with another substitute, such as mozzarella or Monterey Jack, in a 1-to-1 ratio for the best results.
4. Fontina – similar like asiago cheese
Unlike Cheddar, fontina has a nutty taste that adds complexity to dishes ranging from quiches to risottos, where you want more than just savory flavors provided by other varieties of cheese like cheddars and parmesan.
Ratio or measurement: Use a 1:1 ratio for a mild and creamy substitute.
Fontina melts beautifully, making it perfect for pizzas, sandwiches, and au gratin dishes. It can also be appreciated as a standalone cheese on a cheese board or paired with fruits.
5. Gouda – a great asiago cheese alternative
This cheese has a sweet, nutty, buttery flavor that can be used instead of Asiago cheese in many dishes like macaroni and cheese or grilled sandwiches.
Ratio or measurement: To achieve the desired balance of flavors in recipes, use it with other cheeses, such as mozzarella or provolone, in a 1-to-1 ratio.
6. Feta – similar like asiago cheese
Feta is a brined curd made from sheep’s milk that adds an interesting salty taste to your dish when combined with other ingredients like herbs and vegetables.
It pairs well with creamy sauces or dressings, so if you’re looking for cheese to add some sharpness to your dish, feta is the perfect substitute.
Ratio or measurement: Use it in the same ratio as you would Asiago cheese.
7. Use Gruyère instead of asiago cheese
This Swiss cheese has a strong flavor and stretches nicely when melted, making it ideal for topping dishes like casseroles or macaroni and cheese.
It also adds an interesting nutty taste to dishes where its flavor can stand out from other ingredients such as vegetables or meats.
Ratio or measurement: Use this cheese in the same ratio as you would Asiago cheese for best results.
8. Havarti – similar like asiago cheese
This cheese has a buttery flavor that pairs well with many dishes, like salads or sandwiches, and can easily be used as an Asiago cheese substitute.
Ratio or measurement: The best way to use it is to mix it with another milder cheese in a 1-to-1 ratio for the best results.
9. Mozzarella – a decent asiago cheese substitute
While mozzarella usually doesn’t make an ideal standalone Asiago cheeses substitute.
When combined with other cheeses such as parmesan or fontina, it works well as a replacement for Asiago cheese in recipes like pizzas and pasta.
Ratio or measurement: Use it in the same ratio you would use Asiago cheese.
10. Monterey Jack – similar to asiago cheese
This mild cheese is similar to Cheddar in flavor but has a softer texture when melted.
It works well in recipes like quesadillas and nachos, where it can be mixed with other cheeses like Cheddar for additional flavor.
Ratio or measurement: Use Monterey Jack in the same ratio as you would Asiago cheese.
11. Grana Padano substitute for Asiago cheese
Grana Padano is a fantastic substitute for Asiago cheese, offering a similar flavor profile and texture. Grana Padano is a tough cheese with a slightly milder flavor than Asiago.
It has a rich, nutty savor and a granular texture, making it a suitable replacement in many recipes.
It is excellent for grating and shaving.
Ratio or measurement: Use a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for aged Asiago.
Sprinkle-grated Grana Padano over pasta dishes, salads, and soups to add a savory, nutty element. Shave thin slices of Grana Padano to garnish dishes or create a cheese plate.
Substitute for asiago cheese in bread
If you don’t have Asiago cheese in your pantry and you need to make a substitution for it in bread, there are several options available.
Parmesan cheese is a great substitute for Asiago cheese in savory bread. It has a milder flavor but still provides the desired salty and nutty notes that Asiago gives.
Alternatively, cheddar cheese can be used as an effective substitute for Asiago when making cheesy bread recipes.
It has a strong, sharp flavor that will add intensity to your bread and can also be melted seamlessly into the dough.
When using either of these substitutes, consider adding some extra seasoning, such as garlic powder or Italian herbs, to enhance the flavor of your finished product.
vegan substitute for Asiago cheese
. However, substitutes are needed for this popular cheese for those who follow a vegan diet. Here are five easy-to-find vegan alternatives to asiago cheese.
1. Nutritional Yeast
This yeast-based product adds a nutty, cheesy flavor to dishes and can be used as an alternative to asiago cheese in a variety of recipes. It is increased in B vitamins and contains folic acid.
2. Cashew Cheese
Created from cashews that have been soaked and blended with nutritional yeast and other seasonings, this vegan option has a creamy texture similar to asiago cheese.
It can be grated, melted or crumbled over salads or pasta dishes for added flavor and nutrition.
3. Coconut Milk Cheese
A combination of coconut milk, probiotic capsules, agar-agar powder and sea salt yields a vegan substitute with the same texture and consistency as traditional hard cheeses like Asiago – perfect for slicing or shredding over sandwiches or salads.
4. Tofu Ricotta
Thanks to its soft texture, tofu makes an ideal substitute for ricotta cheese in lasagna or cannelloni dishes – just mash it up with herbs, garlic and nutritional yeast until it reaches the desired consistency.
5. Soy Based Cheeses
These products come in blocks that resemble Cheddar or mozzarella cheeses, so they can easily be grated over pizza or tossed into pasta dishes instead of using Asiago cheese for added flavor without any animal products.
FAQs on asiago cheese replacement
Q1. What cheese is most similar to Asiago?
Asiago is an Italian semi-hard cheese that is frequently used in a variety of dishes, such as pasta, pizzas, and soups. It features a nutty and sweet flavor with a slightly sharp finish. Its texture is firm yet creamy.
A cheese that is most similar to Asiago would be Pecorino Romano, another Italian cheese that also has nutty undertones.
Pecorino Romano has a sharper flavor than Asiago and is slightly saltier due to the aging process it goes through.
It has a hard texture and crumbles easily. It can use in the same dishes as Asiago, like pasta and pizzas.
Q2. Can I substitute mozzarella for Asiago cheese
Yes, you can substitute mozzarella for asiago cheese in many recipes.
Mozzarella is a soothing white cheese that melts easily and has a mild flavor, while Asiago is an Italian cow’s milk cheese with a sharp taste and harder texture.
While both kinds of cheese are excellent melting cheeses, mozzarella will offer a mellower flavor than Asiago.
Additionally, if the recipe calls for shredded or grated asiago cheese, the same amounts of mozzarella can be used instead.
However, due to its lower melting point, mozzarella may melt more quickly than Asiago when cooked at high temperatures.
Therefore it’s crucial to keep an eye on the dish while cooking to ensure that it doesn’t burn or become overly browned.
Q3. Can i substitute asiago for gruyere cheese
Yes, you can substitute Asiago for gruyere cheese in most recipes. Asiago is a sharp Italian hard cheese with a grainy texture, while Gruyere is a Swiss cheese with a nutty and sweet flavor.
Both cheeses melt well and are used in many dishes, such as gratins, sauces, soups, and macaroni and cheese.
Asiago tends to be slightly less expensive than Gruyere and will still provide the same creamy flavor when added to dishes.
However, note that they have slight differences in taste, so if you are using the cheese for something that requires more of an intense flavor, such as fondue or quiche Lorraine – you may want to stick with Gruyere for best results.
Q4. Can you substitute asiago cheese for parmesan
Yes, asiago cheese is a great substitute for parmesan cheese. Asiago has a slightly nutty and salty flavor that can be used to replace parmesan in many dishes.
It’s also an awesome option for those looking for an alternative cheese to use in Italian recipes.
Asiago is aged longer than parmesan and has a higher fat content, making it creamier when melted and more flavorful overall.
Additionally, Asiago is lower in sodium but higher in protein compared to parmesan, making it a healthier choice if desired.
Q5. What is the asiago cheese substitute uk?
In the United Kingdom, a suitable substitute for Asiago cheese is Cheddar cheese. Cheddar is a hard, off-white or yellowish cow’s milk cheese that was created in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset.
It has a mild to sharp flavor depending on how long it is aged and can be substituted for recipes calling for Asiago cheese. Asiago cheese has a slightly nutty flavor, whereas Cheddar has a sharper taste.
Cheddar also tends to have more of an earthy flavor, while Asiago is slightly sweet with notes of fruit and nuts.
Another alternative to Asiago cheese in the UK could be Parmesan, which has a similar nutty and fruity flavor with salty notes but is usually harder and saltier than Asiago.
