The Quick Answer
Parmesan and mozzarella can absolutely be used together in cooking and baking. In fact, the combination of their distinct flavors and textures can create delicious dishes. Parmesan offers a sharp, nutty, salty flavor while mozzarella provides mildness and stretchiness. When used together thoughtfully, they can provide layers of savory complexity. Popular pairings include caprese salad with mozzarella and Parmesan shavings, pizza with a mozzarella base and Parmesan topping, and baked pastas that incorporate both cheeses into the sauce. As two iconic Italian cheeses, Parmesan and mozzarella complement each other beautifully. The key is balancing their intensities and textures to let each shine.
Examining the Flavors and Textures
To understand why Parmesan and mozzarella work so well together, it helps to take a closer look at each cheese’s distinct qualities:
Parmesan
Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a granular texture that is perfect for grating. The flavor is rich and complex with salty, nutty, and slightly sharp notes. Parmesan offers a pronounced Parmesan punch and concentrated, almost crystalline taste. It tends to have lower moisture and more intense flavor compared to other Italian hard cheeses like Romano or Asiago. When eaten alone, the full force of its salty, savory flavors really comes through.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is a soft, fresh cheese made from cow or buffalo milk. It has a bright white color and smooth, moist texture. The flavor is milky and mild with a faint sweetness. When melted, mozzarella becomes silky and stretchy. Its signature stretch makes it perfect for pizza and baked dishes. Mozzarella offers a more subtle, delicate cheese experience compared to Parmesan. The creamy texture contrasts with Parmesan’s gritty crunch.
Complementary Qualities
Parmesan and mozzarella balance each other beautifully for several reasons:
Texture
The hard, granular texture of Parmesan provides a nice contrast to the soft, supple smoothness of fresh mozzarella. Their differing textures make each cheese easy to distinguish when eating them together.
Flavor
Parmesan packs a salty, savory punch while mozzarella offers clean, subtle milky notes. Combining the two provides a multi-layered cheese experience with both sharpness and softness.
Melting abilities
Parmesan doesn’t melt well, retaining its grainy texture when heated. Mozzarella melts into rich creaminess. Using both provides melted pockets of mozzarella encased in Parmesan crunch.
Versatility
While both cheeses shine in Italian cuisine, they each bring something different to the table. Their flavors complement rather than compete with each other. Parmesan accentuates herbs, vegetables, and rich sauces. Mozzarella adds creamy texture and subtle cheese flavor.
Classic Pairings
Here are some beloved pairings that showcase how Parmesan and mozzarella can work in delicious harmony:
Caprese Salad
This classic salad features fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Adding shredded or shaved Parmesan boosts the savory flavor and provides textural contrast to the creamy mozzarella.
Pizza
The stretchy melted mozzarella base with Parmesan sprinkled on top is a hallmark of Neapolitan-style pizza. The combination provides the ultimate pizza cheese experience.
Baked Ziti or Lasagna
In these hearty baked pasta dishes, mozzarella in the cheese sauce or layered between pasta and sauce provides rich, melty cheese. Topping with extra Parmesan before baking adds a delicious crunch.
Cheese Boards
Both Parmesan and mozzarella are natural choices for cheese boards. Their contrasting textures and flavors complement each other and other cheeses like cheddar, Gruyère, and Gorgonzola.
Tips for Cooking
When cooking with Parmesan and mozzarella together, here are some tips for success:
– Grate or shave Parmesan into thin pieces so it doesn’t overwhelm the mozzarella.
– Add Parmesan early when cooking sauces or dishes so the flavor can fully develop.
– Hold off adding mozzarella until the end of cooking so it retains its shape and creamy texture.
– Use high-quality fresh mozzarella, not pre-shredded. The texture makes a big difference.
– Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over caprese salads and pizzas to unify mozzarella and Parmesan.
– For pizza, put mozzarella down first, then finish with grated Parmesan on top so it gets nicely browned.
– When layering lasagna or baked pastas, dot with mozzarella and sprinkle Parmesan for coverage of both cheeses in each bite.
– For maximal flavor, use block Parmesan and grate it fresh instead of pre-grated.
– Look for Parmesan made from raw milk for a buttery, complex flavor to complement the mozzarella.
Dishes to Try
Here are some delicious recipes that showcase Parmesan and mozzarella:
Baked Ziti
Rich tomato sauce mixed with mozzarella, Parmesan, and herbs coats ziti noodles in this classic comfort food. Top with extra Parmesan and breadcrumbs before baking.
Caprese Chicken
Chicken breasts coated with mozzarella and Parmesan bake into an easy, flavorful entree. Serve over salad greens with balsamic drizzle.
Pesto Pizza
Homemade or store-bought pesto makes the sauce for this pizza topped with both melty mozzarella and shredded Parmesan.
Bruschetta
Grilled bread topped with tomato, basil, olive oil, and both mozzarella and Parmesan makes a delicious appetizer.
Eggplant Parmigiana
Breaded, fried eggplant slices layered with sauce and both cheeses create a hearty vegetarian bake.
Cheddar Jalapeño Poppers
For an appetizer twist, cream cheese and cheddar get rolled in jalapeño halves and baked with a Parmesan coating.
Chicken Parmesan
Chicken cutlets baked with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan make this Italian favorite. Serve over spaghetti.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
This party classic gets extra flavor from the addition of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses melted into the traditional spinach artichoke combo.
Nutrition
Both Parmesan and mozzarella offer nutritional benefits:
Protein
Cheese is an excellent source of protein. Just 1 ounce of Parmesan has over 10 grams, while 1 ounce of mozzarella provides nearly 7 grams.
Calcium
Parmesan and mozzarella are both rich in calcium, with over 30% of your daily needs in each 1 ounce serving. Calcium supports bone health.
Healthy Fats
Natural cheese contains conjugated linoleic acid and medium chain fatty acids that may offer health benefits related to weight, inflammation, and heart health.
Vitamins and Minerals
Cheese is packed with nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and zinc. Parmesan is higher in sodium due to its saltier taste.
Buying and Storing
Follow these tips for purchasing and storing fresh Parmesan and mozzarella:
– For Parmesan, buy a wedge and grate it yourself instead of pre-grated, which contains anti-caking agents.
– Look for “Parmigiano-Reggiano” on the rind to get authentic, high-quality Parmesan.
– For mozzarella, fresh mozzarella packed in water or salted brine has better flavor and texture than pre-shredded.
– Store Parmesan tightly wrapped for up to 2 months in the refrigerator. Freeze for longer storage.
– Keep fresh mozzarella submerged in brine and use within 1 week for the best quality.
– If buying pre-shredded mozzarella, look for brands without starch coating and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion
The savory punch of Parmesan and mild milky notes of mozzarella perfectly balance each other out. Parmesan’s brittle crunch contrasts beautifully with mozzarella’s soft stretchiness. Together they create layers of texture and flavor. Both cheeses shine in Italian cuisine, from pizza to pasta, salads, and more. Their versatility makes them natural complements in cooking. With quality ingredients and thoughtful technique, you can easily incorporate Parmesan and mozzarella for dishes that make the most of their unique properties.