Pecorino Recipes & Menu Ideas (2024)

Quick

This minimalist cacio e pepe recipe is like a stripped-down mac and cheese.

4.0

(4.17)

Easy

Toss bouncy udon in a speedy creamy sauce reminiscent of an Italian favorite.

5.0

(5)

Zucchini is one of summer’s most abundant offerings; here it stars on a pesto pizza alongside ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms and a showering of mint.

5.0

(5)

Tangy vodka sauce and grilled chicken make a savory base for this pizza, which gets topped with a bright arugula salad and pickled red onions after it’s baked.

5.0

(5)

Quick

It takes only a handful of ingredients to make this fancy-yet-weeknight pasta.

5.0

(5)

Easy

The classic reconsidered: less pasta, more crispy-chewy strips of guanciale, and more silky creamy egg to hold it all together.

Think of this as carbonara minus the eggs but still with massive amounts of flavor from guanciale, black pepper, and Pecorino.

4.0

(3.86)

Quick

In search of an alternative to the mac and cheese her kids insist on, Deb Perelman found inspiration in an iconic Italian dish.

3.5

(3.47)

Quick

Cacio e pepe works on so many things, this chips recipe is just our latest obsession with using the whole flavor combination.

4.5

(4.5)

Quick

Memorize how to make the addictively crunchy breadcrumbs in this dish; use them to top all your pasta recipes forevermore.

4.6

(4.59)

Quick

You can finish this carbonara with other seasonal vegetables, such as shredded brussels sprouts or Napa cabbage. This recipe is from Oberlin, one of the Hot 10, America's Best New Restaurants 2016.

4.0

(4)

Quick

Because would it really be a barbecue without grilled corn?

Easy

This spring salad can be made with pretty much any grain and firm grating cheese you like.

5.0

(5)

You know what your cooking needs? More cheese. More pepper. Together forever.

Amiel Stanek

Quick

The classic Pecorino and black pepper combination is delicious on way more than pasta. Try it on veg and rice, too.

4.0

(3.75)

Easy

If using different types of beets, separate them when roasting and tossing to keep the colors from bleeding.

5.0

(5)

Rather than being cooked in salted water, the pasta is treated like risotto—simmered in stock and stirred until cooked and creamy—which gives it plenty of time to pick up meaty flavors.

Quick

Don’t pass over slightly bruised or extra-ripe tomatoes for this soup recipe; they’re often the most flavorful and especially good here.

3.0

(3.14)

Easy

Both guanciale and Pecorino are quite salty; Leonardo Vignoli, the chef at Da Cesare al Casaletto, recommends undersalting the pasta water to give you more control.

4.0

(4.11)

Quick

Garlicky, pungent ramps set off pesto pyrotechnics.

4.4

(4.36)

OK, we admit it. This spaghetti squash recipe is just a vehicle for butter and cheese. But full of fiber!

4.0

(3.81)

Quick

Prefer a turkey, pork, or lamb sausage? By all means, use that instead.

4.3

(4.29)

Chef Philip Krajeck, Rolf and Daughters, Nashville, says the key to this dish is getting a good char on the brussels sprouts, which helps balance the richness of the porky, eggy sauce. Salt draws moisture out of the leaves, which might make them soggy, so he doesn’t season them.

4.0

(4.14)

Easy

This salad can be made with raw fav beans, as long as they're especially fresh. But blanching them quickly makes them much easier to peel.

4.0

(4.1)

Pecorino Recipes & Menu Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What do you do with pecorino cheese? ›

Pecorino Romano is so versatile that it can be used in dishes including pasta, pizza, meatballs and patties, salads, soups, and stews. Pecorino Romano is also popular in many pasta dishes such as Spaghe Alla Carbonara, Bucatini All'Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe and Pasta alla Gricia.

What is the best way to eat pecorino cheese? ›

Pecorino – recommended cooking combinations

Fresh pecorino, aged between 30 and 60 days, is normally eaten as part of a typical Tuscan “merenda” (= snack) on a board accompanied by salami, ham, bruschetta and bread. It's also excellent for a simple dessert, to prepare in 5 minutes, pan-cooked pecorino and honey.

What is pecorino Romano best for? ›

Pecorino Romano is the most popularly used alternative to Parmesan cheese. In fact, a lot of authentic Italian dishes prefer Pecorino Romano as the cheese of choice due to its hard texture and saltiness. It makes an excellent grating cheese over pasta dishes, bread and baked casseroles.

Is there a difference between pecorino and pecorino romano? ›

Pecorino Romano is high in protein and is a good source of calcium, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium. Pecorino Toscano is a hard sheep's milk cheese that is milder and less salty than Pecorino Romano. Pecorino Toscano is a PDO cheese made in the Tuscany region of Italy.

Does pecorino cheese need to be refrigerated? ›

Fiore Sardo (and Other Types of Pecorino)

"Hard cheese is durable and doesn't spoil; they're really built to last," says fromager Utano. "This aged sheeps' milk cheese from Sardinia has an intense flavor that becomes more pronounced when the cheese is out of refrigeration but doesn't become stinky."

Which is better Parmesan or pecorino? ›

Pecorino Romano and Romano are the better choice for tomato-based dishes (think the shredded cheese you top your spaghetti with). The mild flavor of Parmesan is likelier to get lost in the acidity of the tomato sauce.

What pairs well with Pecorino? ›

We all know the classic pairings that have entered our gastronomic culture. Now that the cheese goes well with the pears is known, just think of the proverb of the farmer who does not know how good the cheese is with this fruit. In addition to pears, we know that pecorino goes well with walnuts, honey and raw ham.

Can you eat Pecorino on its own? ›

Fresh pecorino can be considered table cheeses and can be served by itself with a slice of fresh bread or as an appetizer together with cold cuts; when aged it is used grated or flaked as an ingredient to enrich the taste of many traditional Italian dishes such as pasta, soups, sauces, salads, risottos and pizza.

How is Pecorino used? ›

Pecorino is extremely versatile and a wonderful grating cheese to sprinkle over pasta, soup, vegetables or meatballs. You can also cut it into slices or wedges to enjoy with bread, crackers, nuts and sliced deli meat or add it to a charcuterie tray for a delicious treat.

Is Pecorino Romano anti-inflammatory? ›

Many cheeses are created by adding live bacteria cultures, which ferment the milk's natural sugars into anti-inflammatory lactic acid. Cheese made with fermentation like Romano, Gouda, some cheddars, parmesan, and even cottage cheese may be key to a healthier body and a slimmer waistline.

Is pecorino cheese good for pizza? ›

9. Pecorino Romano. Pecorino Romano is known for its sharp, salty flavor and ability to add an extra layer of umami to pizzas.

Can you melt Pecorino Romano cheese? ›

Serving at room temperature is CRITICAL for this cheese, as the high fat content will cause it to be brittle and almost flavorless when cold. Cooking: Melts well, but is especially impactful when grated over roasted vegetables or pasta, as its flavor is robust throughout heating.

How to use Pecorino cheese? ›

Shave Pecorino cheese over salads or roasted vegetables for added flavor and texture. Use Pecorino cheese in place of Parmesan cheese in pasta dishes like carbonara and cacio e pepe.

What does Pecorino mean in Italian? ›

Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese produced from sheep's milk. The name pecorino derives from pecora, which means 'sheep' in Italian.

Is Pecorino good on pasta? ›

Adding cheese to pasta enhances flavor and texture, transforming a simple dish into something rich and savory-filled. The creamy and umami-rich nature of cheese, whether Parmesan or Pecorino, complements the pasta's starchiness.

What is pecorino cheese good for? ›

Locatelli Pecorino Romano cheese is also packed with essential nutrients that contribute to overall health. It is an excellent source of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamins A, B, and E.

What does Pecorino pair with? ›

We all know the classic pairings that have entered our gastronomic culture. Now that the cheese goes well with the pears is known, just think of the proverb of the farmer who does not know how good the cheese is with this fruit. In addition to pears, we know that pecorino goes well with walnuts, honey and raw ham.

Does Pecorino melt like Parmesan? ›

Parmesan and pecorino are both hard cheeses that shred wonderfully into delicate flakes. The key difference is that Parmesan, though just as firm, melts better than Pecorino. Due to Pecorino's extremely high melting point, the cheese will generally stay firm even when added while cooking.

Is pecorino cheese good for pasta? ›

Adding cheese to pasta enhances flavor and texture, transforming a simple dish into something rich and savory-filled. The creamy and umami-rich nature of cheese, whether Parmesan or Pecorino, complements the pasta's starchiness.

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