What Cheese Goes Well With Prosciutto? – Best Cheese to Prosciutto

Are you having difficulty finding pleasing and palatable prosciutto recipes to serve at your dinner parties? Then you musn’t heard of cheese and prosciutto pairing – the match made in the kitchen? Prosciutto and cheese blend perfectly, complementing each other with their unique taste and flavor.

However, what cheese goes well with prosciutto?

There are so many different types of cheese that go well with prosciutto, from sharp and salty to creamy and sweet. But the most popular combinations include hard, soft, and dry cheeses, having a sharp and nutty taste. Parmesan, asiago Vecchio, provolone, feta, etc. are few perfect prosciutto pals.

For a newbie, it’s a bit complicated thing, matching the right cheese with the right meat or even the right bread. We will give you a quick rundown of what cheeses go well with prosciutto to make things a little easier on you.

Best cheese to use with Prosciutto

Does Any Kind of Cheese Pairs with Prosciutto?

Many people believe that you can use any type of cheese for prosciutto, but this is not entirely true. You cannot use any cheese with prosciutto.

Yes, you can indeed use several type of cheese, pair well with prosciutto; however, some cheeses may work better than others, depending on the recipe.

You know that prosciutto has a pretty strong flavor with much saltiness. Therefore, mild flavored cheese can’t compete with its strength. So, you need something which as overpowering as prosciutto, complementating each others strong taste and flavor.

For the best outcome, pick flavorful cheese with some creamy texture. So, parmesan, Brie, Cheddar, and Gouda can be great options.

You can also blue cheese. However, blue cheese has a stronger flavor, and some people may not like it.

What Cheese Goes Well With Prosciutto?

The pairing of cheese and prosciutto is a classic Italian dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or an appetizer. From mild to robust, different hard, soft, and dry cheeses are perfect matches for this Italian delicacy.

However, what cheese goes with prosciutto di Parma? Let’s dig deeper.

1. Hard Cheese

If you’re looking for a way to add some extra flavor and complexity to your prosciutto dish, why not try using hard cheese instead?

Hard cheeses such as Cheddar and Parmesan are believed to be perfect for coating the delicate ham, as they will not break down and become mushy.

However, many people consider hard cheese too strong for their taste. However, this isn’t always the case. But, it will not be wise to try any type of hard cheese for your prosciutto. Some suggested hard cheese for prosciutto are Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Pecorino Romano

Pecorino Romano is one of the most popular cheeses in the world. It is a hard, salty cheese with a sharp, tangy taste.

Pecorino Romano is made from sheep’s milk and has a long shelf life. it is often used in pasta dishes or as a replacement for Parmesan cheese. These cheese usually adds a rich flavor and a sharpness to the ham.

Parmigiano-Reggiano

Parmigiano-Reggiano is a hard cheese made from cow’s milk rich in milkfat and aged 12 months. It is well known for its strong, sharp flavor and delicate texture. Combining Parmigiano-Reggiano with Prosciutto will give you a rich and savory flavor.

Parmesan

Parmesan cheese is used with prosciutto because it enhances the flavor. It can add a rich, salty, and savory taste to the prosciutto while also having a nice crusty texture.

Parmesan’s fruity and nutty taste reduces the saltness of prosciutto and makes it delicious.

Asiago Vecchio

Another Italian cheese, Asiago, is made from cow milk. You can find several asiagos in the market; however, Asiago Vecchio is the one that blends beautifully with prosciutto. It has a strong, nutty-salty, almost bitter taste which contributes to bitter-salty prosciutto.

2. Soft Cheese

Soft cheese and Prosciutto are a delicious combination. The combination of flavors is a unique experience that you can enjoy in many ways. Soft cheese can be used as a dip or as part of a sandwich.

Soft cheese, specifically Brie, Chevre, and Camembert Boursin cheese, can transform a dry, salty piece of Prosciutto into something strikingly different and much more enjoyable to eat.

Brie Cheese

Brie Cheese is a soft, creamy cheese that originated in France. The cheese is made from cow’s milk and is aged for around 5-6 weeks. Sometimes, it is aged for around a year to have a stronger flavor.

Brie cheese with prosciutto is a classic combination and adds taste and texture to the meat. Moreover, this soft cheese can contrast with the prosciutto’s saltiness.

Eating prosciutto with brie cheese will get you protein and calcium as the cheese contains these nutrients. In addition to that, brie has low fat and cholesterol, which makes it great for health-conscious people.

Chevre Cheese

Originated in France; chevre cheese is made from goat’s milk. It is usually a soft cheese with a slightly tangy taste and a smooth texture. Chevre cheese can be eaten on its own or used in recipes.

It is made from unpasteurized milk and has a delicate, fruity flavor. Chevre is best enjoyed fresh but can also be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Chevre cheese and prosciutto is an excellent pairing. The earthy and fruity sour flavors of the cheese pair well with the meaty, smoky, and salty flavors of the prosciutto.

Boursin Cheese

Camembert Boursin cheese is a soft, creamy, and smooth cheese made from pasteurized cow’s milk. The cheese is decorated with a mixture of herbs and spices, which gives it its unique flavor.

This creamy cheese pairs perfectly with the salty and smoky prosciutto, making this an easy and memorable meal. While at least 9 different flavored Boursin cheese is available, the delicate herbs and fig go well with prosciutto.

3. Dry Cheese

Usually, dry cheese is made from milk that has been drained of most of its water content and then formed into a hard cheese. It can be white, yellow, or blue in color and has a strong, sharp flavor.

Most of the dried cheese pair well with prosciutto, but generic blue, feta, and gorgonzola is great as they are readily available.

Blue Cheese

Although blue cheese is typically used with salad, crackers, or fish items, it is used with prosciutto too. Blue cheese and prosciutto are both salty and fatty, which makes them a satisfying combination. 

Moreover, they both have a strong flavor that complements each other and gives them a depth of flavor that can’t be found in other combinations.

Feta Cheese

Feta cheese is a widely used ingredient in Italian cuisine, and it is often paired with prosciutto. Feta cheese and prosciutto can be used together as an appetizer, entree, or side dish. The pairing of these two ingredients is delicious due to their contrasting flavors and textures.

Gorgonzola Cheese

Gorgonzola cheese is often used with prosciutto because of its mild flavor. It is a soft, blue-veined cheese that is made in Italy from unskimmed cow’s milk. It has a salty, earthy flavor and a slightly sweet finish. 

Besides, you can use prosciutto Gorgonzola cheese in salads or as an accompaniment to a dish such as a steak or a lamb.

How To Pick The Perfect Cheese For The Perfect Prosciutto?

There are many factors to consider when selecting the perfect cheese for Prosciutto, but some key things to keep in mind include the type of cheese, its flavor, how you will eat it, and if it needs to be aged.

It can be difficult to decide what kind of cheese to pair with Prosciutto, but by knowing a little about each one, you’ll be able to choose the perfect combination for your taste.

If you’re interested in pairing your prosciutto with aged cheese, you’ll want to look for a cheese aged for at least one year, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano. Aged cheeses are often older and more flavorful, making them perfect for adding complexity to the dish.

However, if you’re not in the mood for a cheese that has been aged for at least one year, you can choose from cheeses brie or blue cheese that has been aged for a shorter amount of time.

What Cheese Goes With Salami And Prosciutto?

While some distinct soft, hard and dry cheese goes with prosciutto, some hard and soft cheese also goes well with salami.

What cheese to use is a personal preference, but some people believe that certain cheeses go better with salami than others. Some of the best cheese for salami are pecorino, provolone, asiago, and goat cheese.

What Do You Eat Prosciutto With?

Prosciutto, also known as prosciutto di Parma, is a delicious and versatile Italian ham that you can enjoy in many different ways. The most common way to eat prosciutto is sliced and used as an appetizer or main course, but it can also be used as an ingredient in many different recipes.

Some of the best recipes to try Prosciutto include Grilled Cheese sandwiches and Cheesy Bacon Wrapped or wrapped around other foods.

You might be interested to read also our another comprehensive article of: Sopressata vs Pepperoni: Everything You Need to Know

Final Words

Whether you’re looking for a subtle pairing or a bold one, there are different cheeses you can use to add some flavor to your savory prosciutto ham.

Prosciutto and cheese are two of the most versatile foods in the world. They go together like peanut butter and jelly, and they go great with each other. You can use different kinds of cheese to create several recipes.

After reading this article, you should not be in a dilemma about what cheese goes well with prosciutto.