Romano cheese is a firm cheese renowned for its crystalline texture and a delightful nutty, umami flavor profile. Its name pays homage to its city of origin, Rome. The traditional variant, known as Pecorino Romano, enjoys the prestigious Denominazione di Origine Protetta (or “Protected Designation of Origin,” DOP) status within the European Union. This designation ensures that only cheese adhering to specific production standards can be classified as Pecorino Romano.

To qualify as authentic Pecorino Romano, the cheese must be crafted using particular techniques, exclusively from sheep's milk, and produced in designated regions of Italy, including Lazio, Grosseto, or Sardinia. In contrast, cheeses simply labeled as “Romano” do not have to comply with these stringent regulations. For instance, in Australia and Canada, Romano is frequently produced from cow's milk, resulting in a flavor that is somewhat milder and less tangy.

While Romano cheese is delightful when grated over pasta dishes or incorporated into savory pastries, it can be on the pricier side and not always easy to source.

Here are six fantastic alternatives to Romano cheese that can elevate your culinary creations in both cooking and baking.

1. Parmesan

A widely favored alternative to Romano cheese is none other than Parmesan. This delectable cheese, known as Parmigiano-Reggiano, is named after its Italian origin in the province of Parma and is crafted from cow’s milk.

Recognized as a DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano can only be produced in select regions of Italy, including Bologna, Modena, and Parma. This stringent regulation ensures that every bite carries the authentic essence of its homeland. True Parmesan cheese must undergo a minimum aging of two years, which imparts a complex, bold flavor and a delightful crumbly texture that cheese lovers cherish.

However, it is noteworthy that in various countries, including the United States, the term “Parmesan” lacks stringent regulations, meaning cheeses sold under this name may not adhere to the same aging requirement. Similar to Pecorino Romano, well-aged Parmesan cheese is excellent for grating and has a sharp, nutty flavor profile. Yet, thanks to distinct production techniques, Parmesan tends to be less salty and tangy compared to its Romano counterpart. When using Parmesan as a substitute for Romano, a straightforward 1:1 ratio works well. Just bear in mind that you might want to enhance your dish with a pinch of additional salt to balance the flavors.

Beyond being a fantastic cheese for grating atop your favorite meals, Parmesan also melts beautifully, making it an ideal addition to baked pasta dishes or savory pastries.

2. Grana Padano

Grana Padano is a distinguished hard cheese from Italy, celebrated for its crystalline texture and robust flavor profile. This cheese, while categorized as DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta), is produced across a broader region of Italy, making it a more budget-friendly alternative for cheese lovers.

Crafted from aged cow's milk, Grana Padano boasts a subtly sweet taste combined with a slightly softer texture compared to its counterparts. Despite this, it remains a flavorful option that serves excellently as a 1:1 substitute for Romano cheese. However, depending on the specific dish, you might want to adjust the salt content to enhance the overall flavor.

3. Piave

Often described as the cousin of Parmesan, Piave cheese originates from the picturesque region of Belluno, Italy, and draws its name from the beautiful Piave river. This hard, cooked-curd cheese holds the prestigious DOP designation and is available for purchase at various stages of its maturation process.

The younger varieties of Piave cheese showcase a bright white hue and a subtly sweet flavor profile. As it matures, the cheese transforms into a delightful straw color, acquiring a robust and full-bodied taste reminiscent of Parmesan. This evolution in flavor makes it a unique addition to any cheese platter.

Although Piave cheese is less salty compared to its counterparts, the aged versions can be used as a direct substitute for Romano cheese at a 1:1 ratio. It's important to note, however, that the overall salt content in the dish might require some adjustment to achieve the desired taste.

4. Asiago

Asiago cheese, originating from Italy, boasts a silky texture and a delicate flavor when fresh. Over time, as it matures, it develops a firmer, crystallized texture accompanied by a bold, sharp taste. Unlike Parmesan or Romano, which are also made from unpasteurized cow's milk, Asiago offers a distinctively sharper and nuttier flavor profile.

While it is versatile enough to be grated over various dishes, Asiago tends to be softer than Romano, making it a delightful addition to a cheeseboard or simply enjoyed on its own. For those looking to substitute Asiago in recipes, a 1:1 ratio with Romano cheese is recommended.

5. Spanish Manchego

Though not Italian, Spanish Manchego is a delightful semi-hard cheese known for its tangy taste, reminiscent of Romano cheese, as it is also crafted from sheep’s milk. This cheese hails from the picturesque La Mancha region of Spain and proudly holds a DOP designation, meaning that authentic Manchego can strictly be produced using the milk from Manchego sheep.

Manchego comes in various types, categorized by the cheese's age. The younger variety, referred to as “semi curado,” boasts a soft texture and a fruity, grassy flavor profile. With age, it transforms into a flakier cheese that exhibits a sharp yet slightly sweet taste. For those looking to substitute Romano, Manchego Viejo is the ideal choice, which is aged for a minimum of one year. Much like Grana Padano, Manchego has a lower salt content and a hint of sweetness compared to Romano, making it a fantastic option to enhance meals when grated onto pasta dishes or incorporated into pastries.

6. Nondairy Romano Cheese Alternatives

For those who are vegan or have a dairy allergy, there are still delightful options to enjoy flavors reminiscent of Romano cheese. Typically, you can choose between two primary substitutes: nutritional yeast or commercially available cheese alternatives.

Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast is a specialized type of yeast cultivated exclusively for culinary purposes. This ingredient offers a cheesy, savory flavor profile and is packed with all nine essential amino acids along with several crucial vitamins. When fortified, nutritional yeast can be particularly abundant in B-vitamins, including B-12, which is often deficient in vegan diets. You can find it available in flake, powder, or granule forms. This ingredient is ideal for sprinkling on dishes, as it imparts a nutty, umami flavor that closely mimics the taste of Romano cheese. Since the flavor of nutritional yeast can be quite robust, you typically need only half the quantity compared to what you would use for Romano.

To achieve a more nutty, buttery essence akin to Romano cheese, consider blending nutritional yeast with cashews (kaju) to craft a homemade vegan alternative.

Here’s a simple recipe to create your own vegan Romano:

• 75 grams (about 3/4 cup) of raw cashews
• 20 grams (around 4 tablespoons) of nutritional yeast
• 3/4 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor.
2. Pulse until the mixture reaches a fine meal-like consistency.
3. Use right away, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two months.

Ensure you process the mixture only until it achieves a fine crumb texture. Over-processing will cause the cashew oils to release moisture and form clumps.

Store-bought Romano Cheese Alternatives

If you prefer not to make your own alternative or are not fond of nutritional yeast, there are numerous brands of cheese alternatives available in supermarkets and online. However, keep in mind that these products are generally marketed as Parmesan substitutes rather than Romano. When selecting store-bought options, it's essential to scrutinize the labels since many contain common allergens such as soy, gluten, or tree nuts. Moreover, some soy-based alternatives may include casein, a milk protein, which means they are not truly dairy-free or suitable for vegans. Most commercially available options are designed to be used in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for Romano cheese. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to review the label for specific usage instructions.

Conclusion

Romano cheese imparts a wonderfully rich and nutty flavor to various dishes such as pasta and pizza, enhancing their overall taste and experience. Nonetheless, it can often be pricey and not readily available in all locations. The good news is that there are several equally delightful alternatives that you can consider using instead. For individuals following a vegan or dairy-free lifestyle, it's quite easy to create your own Romano cheese substitute at home using just a handful of simple ingredients to replicate that cheesy, umami flavor.