What Can Replace Parmesan Cheese? Testing Common Substitutes in Spanish Supermarkets
Recently, I wanted to make pasta at home and discovered I’d run out of Parmesan cheese. After visiting several supermarkets without finding a suitable option, I tried various substitutes, and some worked surprisingly well. Here’s what I found.
Why You Need Alternatives
Parmesan cheese in Spain is genuinely expensive—a small piece can cost over ten euros. Plus, Parmesan cheese isn’t available in every supermarket, which can be frustrating when you suddenly need it while cooking. Fortunately, there are several alternatives on the market that, while not identical in taste and flavor, work perfectly fine for everyday cooking.
Five Practical Alternatives
Here’s a comparison table of the substitutes I’ve tested:
| Cheese Type | Price Range | Taste Similarity | Recommendation | |
|---|
| Grana Padano | €8-12/kg | 90% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Aged Manchego | €15-20/kg | 75% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pecorino Romano | €10-14/kg | 80% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Grated Grana Padano | €6-9/kg | 85% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Regular Hard Cheese | €4-7/kg | 60% | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Grana Padano Is the Closest Match
This is truly the most satisfying substitute I’ve found. It belongs to the same category as Parmesan—both are Italian hard cheeses with similar production methods. The taste is slightly milder, without Parmesan’s intense nutty flavor that contributes to Parmesan cheese shelf life, but it works perfectly in pasta and risotto. The key advantage is the lower price, and it’s available at both Mercadona and Carrefour.
Spanish Local Options
If you want to support local products when considering Parmesan cheese pairings, aged Manchego cheese is a solid choice. While the flavor leans toward the distinctive taste of sheep’s milk, its texture and saltiness are quite similar. I personally find it works well for gratins or sprinkled on salads, though the price is comparable to Parmesan, making it less cost-effective.
Pecorino Romano is another Italian option made from sheep’s milk, with a saltier and more intense flavor. If you enjoy bold tastes, this will be a pleasant surprise. However, use less than you would with Parmesan, or it’ll be too salty. Lidl often has special offers worth watching for.
Practical Tips
Buying grated Grana Padano is the most economical option. While it doesn’t have the fresh-grated aroma, it’s convenient to store and use as needed. If you’re after quality, buying a block and grating it yourself is better—the aroma is completely different. Also, never buy pre-packaged powdered cheese—it’s incomparable, basically just seasoning powder quality.
I usually keep two types at home: block Grana Padano for dishes where cheese flavor should shine, and grated for quick everyday cooking. This way, I maintain quality without hesitating to use it due to high prices. If you have other good substitute recommendations, feel free to share your experience.
