Parmesan and feta complement each other well in various dishes. Parmesan’s sharp, salty flavor balances feta’s tangy taste. Ideal pairing requires finding the right balance, typically one or two tablespoons of Parmesan per quarter cup of feta, to harmonize their distinct flavors without overpowering the dish.
What Are the Flavors of Parmesan and Feta?
Before we decide if parmesan and feta go together, we need to look at their differences in taste and texture.
Starting with parmesan, an Italian hard cheese with quite complex flavors developed through the aging process.
It’s a delicious mix of nutty, salty, and sharp, quite robust, and can gain strength as it ages.
You probably know it is best for topping pasta dishes or sprinkling in soups.
Typically it is grated or shaved.
Feta comes from the Mediterranean region, particularly Greece, and has a tangy flavor, with a slightly salty edge.
Usually, feta is made from sheep or goat milk, and some people find that this adds a sour note to the cheese.
It’s quite crumbly and creamy and is often used in salads or savory pies or pastries.
How Do Parmesan and Feta Complement Each Other?
As we have discovered, parmesan is salty and nutty, and feta is tangy and creamy, one a hard cheese and the other soft.
So, how can we combine the two into one delicious blend of cheesiness?
You need to get the right balance so that the parmesan mellows the tanginess of the feta, with neither of them overpowering the dish.
You wouldn’t necessarily put them together in the same sauce, for example.
For a delicious pasta recipe, you could make a creamy parmesan sauce but then crumble feta over the finished dish.
There is plenty of room for experimentation in your pizzas, pasta, and salads!
So, are there any recommendations as to how much to use of each cheese?
You need to take into consideration your personal preferences.
And whether you want a strong cheese taste or something less intense.
The best proportions are to use one or two tablespoons of parmesan for every quarter cup of feta.
The perfect blend of salty and nutty, contrasting with creamy and tangy!
Don’t forget to start with a lesser amount and state as you go along and adjust as necessary.
The Viral Baked Feta Pasta
My Thoughts
- Parmesan is an Italian cheese with a strong nutty and salty flavor, while feta is Mediterranean with a tangy, creamy taste
- When used in the same dish, the intense flavor of Parmesan helps to balance the tanginess of the feta
- The right balance of the two kinds of cheese is essential, but generally, use about one or two tablespoons of Parmesan for every quarter cup of feta
- Feta and parmesan can be combined in many dishes, such as pasta, salads, and pizza
- Too much of either cheese will overpower a recipe, so adjust to taste
So, parmesan and feta are two popular cheeses that go well together in many dishes as long as you find the right balance.
You might also be interested in finding out why feta sometimes tastes of salt.
What unique dish would you create combining parmesan and feta?
Let us know in the comments below!