What is Grana Padano? Let's just say that pasta night will never be the same.
The Game-Changing Cheese Only Italians Know About
Updated on Aug. 17, 2023
As a kid, instead of cartoons, I was fed a steady diet of cooking shows. By the time I was 12, I knew how to cook al dente pasta, roast poblano peppers and debone a fish. But one of the things that stood out the most from these shows wasn’t a skill, but a sponsor. I remember seeing commercials in between episodes for Grana Padano cheese.
Now, over a decade later, that name has stuck with me—but I never quite understood what it meant. Sure, I knew it was some fancy Italian cheese. But I didn’t know why it was so special.
By the way, here’s some cheese recipes for any kind of cheese.
On This Page
What is Grana Padano cheese?
Grana Padano is a crumbly Italian cheese produced in Italy’s Po Valley provinces. It’s made from unpasteurized cows’ milk in giant copper cauldrons, then aged for a minimum of nine months.
The requirements for producing Grana Padano are very specific. Each wheel is crafted the exact same way to yield the cheese’s unique flavor and grainy texture. And, the cheese’s branding makes it instantly recognizable. Authentic Grana Padano contains Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) signatures, such as diamond shapes on the rind and a fire brand.
Is Grana Padano the same as Parmesan?
Grana Padano falls into the same general category of Parmesan cheese—but we’re not talking about the stuff that comes out of a green shaker bottle. Traditional Italian Parmesan, (aka Parmigiano-Reggiano) is very similar to Grana Padano, but it actually has more regulations and specifications it has to meet. Mamma mia!
Ready to become a cheese connoisseur? You need to know these types of cheeses.
What does Grana Padano taste like?
The taste of Grana Padano depends on how long it’s been aged. For instance, 9- to 16-month-old cheese has a creamy, slightly grainy texture. Once it hits the 16 month mark, the cheese develops a crumblier texture and more pronounced taste. And after 20 months, Grana Padano reaches its full flavor potential. The cheese is hard and naturally lactose-free.
Grana Padano tastes delicious on its own (hello, cheese plate), boasting a rich, slightly nutty flavor. It’s also the perfect accompaniment to pasta dishes or risotto.
Where can you buy it?
Since it’s produced at such a high level, Grana Padano can be hard to track down—especially if you live in a small city. Your best bet is a specialty cheese shop. You can also buy it online.
Buon Appetito!
Substitute Grana Padano in these recipes that call for Parmesan.
1 / 51
Jalapeno Popper Spread
I've been told by fellow partygoers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia
Parmesan RisottoRisotto is a creamy Italian rice dish. In this version, the rice is briefly sauteed, then slowly cooked in wine and seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Garlic Parmesan WingsTake a bite out of these perfectly seasoned chicken wings. Golden brown and crispy, the skin is flavored with garlic powder, parmesan cheese and herby parsley. Enhance the flavors by dipping it in a garlic parmesan or sriracha mayo sauce, or stick to the classics like bleu cheese and ranch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Parmesan Chicken CouscousSimple ingredients make clever use of leftover chicken in an innovative dish any home cook would be proud to plate. I like to serve it with a side of fresh fruit. —Lisa Abbott, New Berlin, Wisconsin
Parmesan-Coated BrieThis is such a wonderful appetizer! Your guests will be impressed. A golden exterior gives way to warm, melty cheese, making this perfect for sliced French bread or crackers. —Karen Grant, Tulare, California 
Eggplant ParmesanA cozy recipe for when winter's chill sets in, our eggplant Parmesan recipe gets Nonna's nod of approval.
Chicken Parmesan StromboliI love chicken Parmesan and my family loves stromboli so one day I tried to combine the two using a few convenience products. It turned out better than I could have hoped. It's now a staple in our house. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida
Parmesan FettuccineThis fettuccine recipe is such a simple side dish. With just four ingredients, it's ready in no time for a taste that's sure to please the entire family. —Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Lousiana 
Baked Spaghetti with Cream of Mushroom SoupBeing cheesy is a good thing when you're talking about baked spaghetti with cream of mushroom soup. It's cozy, cheesy and promises lots of leftovers.
Rich & Creamy Parmesan Mashed PotatoesFor special occasions (like my husband’s birthday dinners), I mash potatoes with cream cheese, sour cream and Parmesan. It's divine comfort food. —Jo Ann Burrington, Osceola, Indiana
Parmesan AsparagusNothing could be more simple than this side dish. Since it has just four ingredients, I assemble it in no time, then pop it into the oven for about 15 minutes. It turns out perfect every time. —Mary Ann Marino, West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Zucchini PieLoaded with fresh zucchini and savory Parmesan cheese, no one can resist a forkful of zucchini pie. Pack in more vegetables and cheese as you see fit!
Parmesan Zucchini BreadThis loaf has a rugged, textured look that adds to its old-fashioned appeal. The mild Parmesan flavor nicely complements the zucchini, which adds bits of green color to every tender slice. —Christine Wilson, Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Gnocchi with White BeansHere’s one of those no-fuss recipes you can toss together and cook in one skillet. Ideal for a busy weeknight, it’s also good with crumbled Italian chicken sausage if you need to please meat lovers. —Julianne Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia 
Dijon-Crusted FishDijon, Parmesan and a hint of horseradish give this toasty fish lots of flavor. The preparation is so easy, it takes just 5 to 7 minutes to get four servings ready for the oven. —Scott Schmidtke, Chicago, Illinois
Zucchini ParmesanYou'll knock their socks off with this easy-to-prep side dish that's absolutely delicious. My favorite time to make it is when the zucchini is fresh out of the garden. —Sandi Guettler, Bay City, Michigan
Baked Ranch ChickenA ranch baked chicken recipe that requires just 10 minutes of prep? Sign us up!
Parmesan-Crusted ChickenMaking Parmesan-crusted chicken involves dredging chicken in bread crumbs and cheese to yield crisp, browned exteriors with juicy, tender meat inside.
Baked ZitiBaked ziti is a cozy pasta dish that features layers of meat sauce, tender noodles and creamy ricotta cheese. This freezer-friendly recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd.
Stuffed Chicken RollsJust thinking about this dish sparks my appetite. The ham and cheese rolled inside are a tasty surprise. Leftovers reheat well and make a perfect lunch with a green salad. —Jean Sherwood, Kenneth City, Florida
Vegetarian Stuffed PeppersThese vegetarian stuffed peppers are a fresh, filling dinner for meatless Monday (or any other night of the week). They're endlessly adaptable and quick to mix together. Plus, they can be cooked in a slow cooker or baked in the oven to gooey perfection.
Lasagna CasseroleAll the traditional flavor of lasagna, with none of the fuss. We've simplified the layers in this lasagna casserole so the dish comes together more quickly.
Parmesan Baked PotatoesIt always amazed me that this simple recipe could make potatoes taste so good. Mom liked to make them for Easter because they were more special than ordinary baked potatoes. —Ruth Seitz, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Four-Cheese Chicken FettuccineAs a cattle rancher, my husband's a big fan of beef. For him to comment on a poultry dish is rare. But he always tells me, "I love this casserole!" I first tasted it at a potluck; now, I fix it for my family (we have a 3-year-old daughter) once or twice a month, and I'm asked to take it to most every get-together. —Rochelle Brownlee, Big Timber, Montana
Italian Hot DishMy husband had a poor perception of healthy food until he tried this beefy casserole. The combination of pasta, oregano, mushrooms and green peppers makes it a favorite healthy pasta recipe in our house. —Theresa Smith, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Tortellini CarbonaraWant a creamy pasta dish that's neither macaroni and cheese nor Alfredo? This tortellini carbonara hits all the right notes when it comes to cheesy goodness, not to mention the bacon. It's decadent, delicious and decidedly easy to make.
Parmesan Potato WedgesHere's a simple way to serve potatoes that has big flavor: cut into wedges, coat generously in garlic, paprika and Parmesan cheese, and bake until tender inside and crisp outside.
Oven Parmesan ChipsMy husband and I avoid fried foods, but potatoes are part of our menu almost every day. These delectable sliced potatoes get nice and crispy and give our meals a likable lift. —Mary Lou Kelly, Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Chicken Parm SandwichThe sandwich version of a delectable Italian-American classic, a chicken parm sandwich is equally welcome at the lunch table or when hosting guests for a casual dinner.
Baked Parmesan BroccoliI began making this creamy side dish years ago as a way to get my kids to eat broccoli. They have since grown up but still request this satisfying casserole. It's truly a family favorite. —Barbara Uhl, Wesley Chapel, Florida
Parmesan Garlic BreadsticksThese tender breadsticks fill the kitchen with a tempting aroma when they are baking, and they're wonderful served warm. My family tells me I can't make them too often. —Gaylene Anderson, Sandy, Utah
Cauliflower Mashed PotatoesCauliflower mashed potatoes are a great substitute for the real thing, whether you're low-carbing or just want a lighter side dish for those hot summer evenings. They're just as quick and easy as potatoes, and every bit as tasty.
Parmesan Bow Tie Pasta with ChickenOn lazy summer weekends, we like chicken and yellow squash tossed with bow tie pasta. Add extra fresh grated Parmesan for a Sunday touch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine
Parmesan Pork MedallionsHere's one of the best pork medallion recipes I've found. With my own special tweaks, I have served this tender pork countless times for family and friends. It takes very little prep time and adapts easily to serve any number. —Angela Ciocca, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania
Parmesan Chicken with Artichoke HeartsI've liked the chicken and artichoke combo for a long time. Here's my own lemony twist. With all the praise it gets, this dinner is so much fun to serve. —Carly Giles, Hoquiam, Washington
Parmesan-Roasted BroccoliBroccoli and cheese are the simple but shining stars in this Parmesan-roasted broccoli recipe that really couldn't be easier—it takes just 30 minutes to prep and cook.
Creamy Parmesan Spinach BakeMy creamy, comforting side dish wonderfully rounds out any holiday dinner. Just a little of this rich casserole goes a long way. —Jennifer Bley, Austin, Texas
Parmesan Mashed PotatoesFluffy and flavorful Parmesan mashed potatoes are a perfect mix of spuds, butter and sour cream with a bold cheesy finish.
Pepper Parmesan BeansA colorful mixture of peppers and green beans gets an Italian treatment with basil and Parmesan cheese in this delightful vegetable dish. The garlic adds a savory zip. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington
Caesar Salad in Peppered Parmesan BowlsThis cheese bowl salad looks impressive but is a cinch to make. I won't tell if you don't! —Melissa Wilkes, St. Augustine, Florida
Parmesan Chicken with Lemon RiceI like the challenge of inventing recipes with ingredients I have on hand. This easy-peasy meal fits the bill. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
Parmesan-Crusted Pork ChopsShredded cheese gives these Parmesan-crusted pork chops a really nice and rich coating that's easy to work with and so, so good. —Hayden Hosick, Corona, California
Parmesan Fish SticksI wanted a healthier approach to fish sticks and developed a baked tilapia with a slightly peppery bite. My husband and sons love the crispy coating. —Candy Summerhill, Alexander, Arkansas
Parmesan-Ranch Pan RollsMom taught me this easy recipe, which is perfect for feeding a crowd. There is never a crumb left over. Mom used her own bread dough, but using frozen dough is my shortcut. I make a wheat bread dough version with poppy and sesame seeds that’s popular, too. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Lemon Parmesan OrzoA splash of lemon and a shower of chopped parsley make this orzo one of my family's most requested springtime sides. It's fantastic with chicken, pork and fish, or you can eat it on its own as a light lunch. —Leslie Palmer, Swampscott, Massachusetts 
Parmesan Ranch PopcornWhether you need a quick gift idea or yummy munchies for movie night, we've got you covered with this cheesy twist on regular popped popcorn. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Parmesan Yogurt DipWe like to eat raw vegetables a few times a week as a side dish for a meal, and this is a healthier alternative to ranch dressing for a veggie dip. —Kathleen Tribble, Buellton, California
Parmesan Snap Pea PastaMy family loves pasta! This simple dish is always a hit, especially during the spring when sugar snap peas are the sweetest. To keep us from getting in a rut, I change up the flavors. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Parmesan Mushroom TartletsMy easy tartlets loaded with a cheesy mushroom filling take advantage of refrigerated crescent roll dough. I think they’re best warm from the oven with a sprinkling of green onion.—Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Creamed SpinachCreamed spinach is rich and luxurious, making it an ideal side dish for family dinners or holidays.
Italian FlatbreadsPairs wedges of this chewy flatbread with a tomato-based soup and start dunking! —Cynthia M. Bent, Newark, Delaware 
