Cheddar Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese (2024)

Cheddar Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese (1)

Mini cheeseburgers with parmesan fries

History

Cheddar cheese originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. It has been produced there since at least the 12th century.

Parmesan cheese was created in the Middle Ages in Bibbiano, Italy.

Traits

Cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese. Its natural color ranges from pale yellow to off-white, although some manufacturers color the cheese with a brighter yellow. It is slightly crumbly.

Parmesan cheese is hard and granular, with an umami (rich and savory) taste. It is typically straw-colored.

Production

Cheddar cheese is made with cow’s milk. After heating, the curd is kneaded with salt, cut into cubes to drain the whey, then stacked and turned. It is then matured at a constant temperature, e.g. in caves, for 3 to 18 months.

Parmesan cheese is also made for cow’s milk. Whole milk is mixed with naturally skimmed milk, before starter whey is added, and the temperature raised to 33-35 celcius. Calf rennet is then added and left to curdle. The curd is broken into small pieces and left again, before it is collected with pieces of muslin, put into molds, and aged for 12 to 16 months.

Cheddar Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese (2)

Fruit and veggie platter with cheddar cheese sticks,celeries, carrots; strawberries and blueberries

Uses

Cheddar cheese is the most popular cheese in the UK and the second most popular cheese in the US. It is used in a huge variety of recipes.

Parmesan cheese is most commonly used in Italian dishes. It is often grated over pasta dishes, stirred into soups and risottos or eaten on its own. It also appears in Caesar salads and is commonly grated onto pizza in the US.

Substitutes

If you do not have access to cheddar cheese, you can use Colby, Cheshire or American cheese instead.

Parmesan can be substituted with asiago, grana padano or romano cheese.

Nutritional Info

Cheddar and Parmesan cheese vary slightly in nutritional values. Both are a good surce of Calcium and iron, have no added sugar, but are very high in saturated fat and sodium. Calories vary based on the type of the milk used (fat/non-fat) for making the cheese.

Cheddar Cheese (per 100g) Parmesan Cheese (per 100g)
Calories403431
Calcium95% of daily intake111 % of daily intake
Iron5% of daily intake5% of daily intake
Fat33g29g
Saturated Fat21g17g
Cholestrol105mg88mg
Sodium612mg1529mg
Carbohydrates1g4g
Protein25g38g

Price

Cheese prices vary, but a pound of cheddar currently costs between $4.99 for mild cheddar and $21.99 for extra-sharp 12 year cheddar.

Parmesan costs about $6.89 per pound.

Current prices for Cheddar and Parmesan cheese are available on Amazon.com:

How to make Cheddar and Parmesan at home?

Here are a few interesting videos on how to make Cheddar cheese and Parmesan Cheese at home:

References

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Cheddar Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese (2024)

FAQs

Cheddar Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese? ›

Parmesan Cheese. Cheddar cheese is a hard English cheese, while Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese. Parmesan has a rich flavor and less aging time while Cheddar cheese is less expensive and has fewer calories.

Can I replace cheddar cheese with Parmesan? ›

While Parmesan cheese has a much stronger flavor than cheddar, its nutty and salty taste can add depth to dishes where cheddar is typically used as a topping or ingredient.

What is the best grated cheese for pasta? ›

Parmesan is the classic choice, and there's never a recipe that won't be complemented by this versatile cheese! Traditional parmesan from Italy can only be called Parmigiano-Reggiano if it's from designated areas of the country, but the recipe has been exported across the world.

What cheese is healthier than Parmesan? ›

Some of the healthiest cheeses are feta and goat cheese, which are better for lactose intolerance. Cottage cheese and ricotta have more than 11 grams of muscle-building protein in a single serving. Swiss cheese is naturally lower in sodium, so it is a good option for people with hypertension.

What is a better cheese than Parmesan? ›

If you'd like a little more kick in flavor, you can enjoy some pecorino Romano as an alternative to Parmesan, but make sure to use pecorino carefully because the flavor is more intense and will make more of a statement.

What is the best substitute for cheddar cheese? ›

Substitutes for Cheddar
  • Gouda.
  • Provolone.
  • Monterey Jack.
  • Swiss cheese.
  • Jarlsberg.
  • Colby-Jack.
  • Cheshire.
  • Royalp Tilsit.

What's better for you Parmesan or cheddar? ›

Cheddar and Parmesan cheese vary slightly in nutritional values. Both are a good surce of Calcium and iron, have no added sugar, but are very high in saturated fat and sodium. Calories vary based on the type of the milk used (fat/non-fat) for making the cheese.

What is the most unhealthy cheese? ›

Although extremely tasty on that cheese plate, soft cheeses such as Camembert, brie and triple-crème (cheese enriched with cream) fall into the “less healthy” category because of their saturated fat content.

What is the most healthiest cheese in the world? ›

Which cheese is healthiest? Cottage cheese is probably the healthiest cheese, Rizzo says. “It's lower in saturated fat and higher in protein than most other cheese,” she explains.

What is the healthiest cheese for your heart? ›

Using lower-fat cheeses – such as mozzarella, feta, cottage cheese or reduced-fat cheeses – will provide less saturated fat. Our table at the end of the page shows how the fat content of different cheeses compares.

Can I use cheddar instead of Parmesan in lasagna? ›

Add parmesan or cheddar cheese, stir until melted. To construct lasagna, in a lightly greased baking dish, layer meat sauce, cheese sauce and lasagna sheets, (making sure the lasagna sheets are totally covered). Repeat layers, finishing with cheese sauce.

Can I use cheddar cheese instead of Parmesan in alfredo? ›

No parmesan? No problem! This Cheddar Cheese Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is a tasty and classy meal that is done in no time. This is your perfect pasta on a weekday- fast, easy and delicious.

Can you use cheddar instead of Parmesan in meatballs? ›

200g of Mild Cheddar Cheese may be successful,if using Mature Cheddar Cheese then maybe only use 100g,because it has a very strong taste.”

Does Parmesan cheese melt? ›

Because grated Parmesan melts quickly, it's optimally used sprinkled on pizza or soup (i.e. already prepared food), as well as in homemade pasta sauce recipes. Merlot, For a more artistic topping on salad, choose shaved or shredded Parmesan. It also provides texture to casseroles, risotto, and baked dishes.

Can you substitute Parmesan for cheddar in carbonara? ›

So, your question is based on a wrong assumption. Carbonara is made with Pecorino cheese, not Parmgiano Reggiano, much less Parmesan, whatever that is. Anyway, you can do whatever you want, if you prefer the taste of cheddar you can use it, you won't be arrested.

What cheese is the same as cheddar? ›

If you do not have access to cheddar cheese, you can use Colby, Cheshire or American cheese instead.

Do cheddar and Parmesan go together? ›

Parmesan is a salty cheese with complex flavors. For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes.

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