Parmigiano Reggiano vs Parmesan: What’s the Story?
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
What's the deal with Parmigiano Reggiano vs Parmesan? Is one just a fancy name for the other?
There are more types of cheese on the market today than ever, but one thing remains indisputable: Parmesan is the “King of Cheeses.” This Italian cheese not only makes chicken Parmesan sing, but it adds a boost to your Caesar salads, dresses up your popcorn and turns a regular baked potato into a work of art.
You might be confused at the price difference between Parmigiano Reggiano and Parmesan at the store, though. Is there an actual difference between the two?
Parmigiano Reggiano vs Parmesan
If your cheese has the words Parmigiano Reggiano stenciled on the side of the rind, it’s the real deal.
Italy has a law called DOC (Denominazione di Origine controllata) which specifies how and where Parmigiano Reggiano can be produced. It’s similar to the rules governing the production of Champagne or tequila. It has to be produced in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Mantua or Bologna in Italy and follow a very specific recipe to receive the official seal.
That means that anything called by another name (like Parmesan or Reggianito) is an imposter! This “fake” cheese might taste Parmesan-esqe, but it’ll lack the complexity of the certified kind. You can ask your local cheesemonger for a side-by-side tasting; the Parmesan will taste more acidic and saltier when compared to the deeply rich, nutty flavor of the Parmigiano Reggiano.
It’s well worth the price difference!
What About Pre-Grated Parmesan?
If you feel the urge to pick up a bag of pre-grated Parmesan, I recommend that you don’t. There are a couple reasons why you should grate your own cheese. It’ll not only taste better, but it melts more smoothly, too. You should specifically avoid the shelf-stable stuff. That dried cheese has very little flavor and it may contain plant cellulose and chemicals as anti-clumping agents.
We recommend using a rasp grater (like a Microplane) on hard cheeses like Parmesan. The fine teeth create a super-fine shred that’s light and fluffy. You won’t have to use as much cheese, either, stretching that expensive block so it lasts longer. As a bonus, these handheld graters are much easier to clean than the huge box graters, too!
Make the Most of Your Italian Cheese With These Parm Recipes
The Best Eggplant ParmesanTruly delicious! I love eggplant and have many recipes, but this one's my favorite. The cheeses and seasonings make the dish unforgettable. —Dottie Kilpatrick, Wilmington, North Carolina
Baked SpaghettiEvery time that I make this cheesy baked spaghetti, I get requests for the recipe. It puts a different spin on pasta and is great for any meal. The leftovers, if there are any, also freeze well for a quick dinner later in the week. —Ruth Koberna, Brecksville, Ohio
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 Onion PieWe have a lot of zucchini on hand when it’s in season. This is a good and different way to use large amounts. —Lucia Johnson, Massena, New York
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
Lasagna CasseroleWhile growing up, I always wanted this meal on my birthday. Mother made the sauce from scratch, but now I use store-bought spaghetti sauce to save time. Replace the ground beef with Italian sausage if you want more spice. —Deb Morrison, Skiatook, Oklahoma
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
Parmesan Potato WedgesI recommend serving these Parmesan potato wedges alongside a salad for a light lunch or serving them as a side dish with a chicken or beef entree. —Beth Ask, Ulster, Pennsylvania
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 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 BroccoliSure, it’s simple and healthy but, oh, this roasted broccoli is also delicious. Cutting the stalks into tall trees turns the ordinary veggie into a standout side dish. —Holly Sander, Lake Mary, Florida
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-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-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
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
Originally Published: February 20, 2019
