Asiago cheese is a type of Italian cheese originating from the Asiago plateau in Italy’s Veneto region. It has a distinct nutty, tangy flavor that makes it versatile to pair with many dishes and ingredients. Asiago can be enjoyed as a table cheese or grated and melted into or atop dishes. Knowing what foods and beverages Asiago cheese pairs well with can help you make the most of this flavorful cheese.
What is Asiago cheese?
Asiago is a cow’s milk cheese that can be made from whole milk or skimmed milk. It comes in two varieties:
– Fresh Asiago has a sweet, mild flavor with a soft, smooth texture. It is aged around 6 weeks.
– Aged Asiago is aged from 3 months up to 2 years. It has a firmer texture and tangier, more pronounced flavor. Aged Asiago is often called Asiago Pressato.
Both fresh and aged Asiago work well grated or sliced in a variety of dishes. The aged version stands up especially well to cooking due to its firm texture.
Asiago cheese flavors
Here are some of the notable flavors present in Asiago cheese:
– Nutty – This comes through most predominantly in aged Asiago. The aging process deepens the nutty notes.
– Tangy – Both young and aged Asiago have a tanginess from the cheesemaking process. This sharpness pairs well with many ingredients.
– Salty – While not as salty as Parmesan, Asiago has a moderately salty flavor that heightens its taste.
– Savory/Umami – The savory notes in Asiago means that a little bit can add a flavor punch.
– Sweet – In fresh Asiago, sweetness balances out some of the other flavors
Asiago cheese textures
The textures of the two main types of Asiago cheese include:
– Fresh Asiago has a smooth, firm, dense texture similar to mozzarella.
– Aged Asiago is grainier and crumbly with a flaky texture full of tiny holes, called “eyes”. It can be brittle when grated.
These contrasting textures make each version of Asiago suited to different uses.
What does Asiago cheese pair well with?
Now that you know the flavor and texture profiles of Asiago cheese, what ingredients, dishes, and beverages can you enjoy it with? Here are some of the best pairings for Asiago cheese.
Breads and crackers
Asiago cheese works very well alongside breads and crackers. Its firm texture holds up well and won’t get lost among starches. Some good pairings include:
– Baguettes or crusty bread – The tanginess of aged Asiago compliments the crunch of the crust.
– Crackers – Simple water crackers or crispbreads allow the flavor of the cheese to shine.
– Crostini – Top toasted bread slices with slivers of Asiago.
– Focaccia – The herbs in focaccia nicely complement the flavors of the cheese.
Pasta dishes
The Italians often know best when pairing Italian cheeses like Asiago. Fresh or aged Asiago can both work well tossed with or grated atop classic pasta dishes.
– Ravioli – Stuff ravioli with an Asiago filling for accentuated flavor.
– Lasagna – Layer lasagna sheets with Asiago for taste in every bite.
– Penne or rigatoni – Toss the pasta with chunks of Asiago. The nooks and crannies will grab the melted cheese.
– Spaghetti – Grated aged Asiago gives a tangy finish to a classic tomato sauce spaghetti.
Pizza
Pizza and Asiago are natural partners, as the cheese originated in Italy. The next time you make or order a pizza, consider these tasty combinations:
– Margherita – Fresh Asiago adds savoriness to basic tomato sauce and basil.
– Sausage and pepperoni – Aged Asiago’s bite stands up to spicy sausage and pepperoni.
– Veggie pizza – Pair both types of Asiago with roasted veggies.
– Mushroom pizza – Earthy mushrooms complement Asiago’s nuttiness.
Grilled cheese sandwiches
A grilled cheese sandwich with melted Asiago cheese inside is amazing. The cheese gets deliciously gooey and gives great flavor. Classic pairings include:
– Asiago and cheddar or Swiss
– Asiago and Gruyere
– Asiago and Gouda
– Asiago and fresh mozzarella
Mix up the cheeses or pick a single Asiago variety for your grilled cheese.
As a topping
In addition to sandwiches and pizza, don’t forget to use Asiago as a garnish or topping in these dishes:
– Soups – Grated Asiago can add texture and nuttiness to vegetarian, bean, or broth-based soups.
– Salads – Shredded or crumbled Asiago are perfect salad toppers. Pair the cheese with greens, tomatoes, balsamic dressing, or fruit like pears or figs.
– Bruschetta – Alongside the traditional olive oil and tomatoes, shave some Asiago over bruschetta.
– Polenta – Asiago melted over creamy polenta is an Italian classic combination.
Vegetables and sides
Don’t overlook vegetables and side dishes as chances to enjoy Asiago cheese too. Consider these tasty recipe ideas:
– Roasted vegetables – Toss vegetables like asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts with Asiago before or after roasting.
– Baked potatoes – Load up baked russet or sweet potatoes with cheese, sour cream, bacon, and scallions.
– Potato gratin – Substitute Asiago for some of the Gruyere or cheddar called for in recipes.
– Squash gratin – Pair butternut squash with Asiago for a savory gratin.
Meat dishes
While Asiago shines in veggie meals, it also pairs wonderfully with a variety of meats. Here are smart ways to bring Asiago cheese into meat-based dishes:
– Chicken Parmesan – Bread chicken cutlets and melt Asiago on top for next-level flavor.
– Steak – Put slices of room temperature Asiago on top of hot grilled, pan seared, or broiled steaks.
– Chicken alfredo – Stir aged Asiago into creamy alfredo sauce and toss with pasta and chicken.
– Meatballs – Mix some grated Asiago into baked meatballs or meatloaf.
Seafood dishes
Don’t overlook seafood and Asiago pairings. The cheese pairs well with lighter proteins. Ways to enjoy them together include:
– White fish – Melt slices of Asiago over cod, halibut, or other white fish fillets.
– Shrimp scampi – Stir grated aged Asiago into garlicky scampi sauce.
– Crab cakes – Top pan fried crab cakes with fresh Asiago cheese for an extra richness.
– Salmon – Put slices of Asiago on salmon before broiling or grilling.
Snacks and appetizers
One of the most convenient ways to enjoy Asiago is by keeping it handy for snacks and appetizers.
– Cheese board – Include both fresh and aged Asiago in a cheese and charcuterie platter.
– Cheese ball – Work Asiago into cheese balls along with cheddar, cream cheese, and herbs.
– Stuffed mushrooms – Fill mushroom caps with Asiago, breadcrumbs, and garlic.
– Flatbreads – Build flatbreads with olive oil, Asiago, prosciutto, arugula, and balsamic.
What to drink with Asiago
Certain beverages complement and bring out the best in Asiago cheese. Pairings to try include:
– Red wine – Young or aged Asiago pairs nicely with Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon.
– White wine – Fresher Asiago tastes wonderful alongside Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
– Sparkling wine – The effervescence of Prosecco cuts through the saltiness.
– Beer – Nutty Asiago tastes great with amber ales or bocks.
– Cold brew coffee – The slight bitterness plays off the tangy cheese.
How to incorporate Asiago cheese into recipes
Now that you have plenty of recipe inspiration, how exactly do you use Asiago cheese in the kitchen? Here are useful tips for enjoying it to the fullest:
Grated
Finely grate aged Asiago using a microplane or box grater. Its flaky texture breaks down well. Stir into pastas, risottos, soups, and sauces for concentrated flavor. Or sprinkle over pizzas, salads, bruschetta, vegetables, and meats.
Sliced
Cut small slices or wedges from fresh Asiago blocks. Eat as is with bread and wine. Melt over steaks, chicken, fish, or vegetables. Put on sandwiches and flatbreads.
Crumbled
Break down aged Asiago into small crumbles with your hands. Use as a salad topping in place of croutons. Sprinkle over pasta, pizza, flatbreads, soups, and antipasto platters.
Melted
Shred or slice Asiago and melt it into hot dishes. Mix into dips, sauces, pasta dishes, risottos, omelets, quiches, frittatas, and stuffed vegetables. Both young and aged Asiago melt smoothly.
Added to batter
When making baked goods like savory scones, biscuits, or muffins, grate in a bit of Asiago. Or add it to bread dough for cheese bread or rolls.
Conclusion
With its adaptable nutty, tangy flavor and variety of textures, Asiago cheese pairs well with a wide range of ingredients and dishes. Use it grated, sliced, or melted to enhance pasta, pizza, vegetables, sandwiches, seafood, meat, and more. And sip wine, coffee, or cocktails alongside Asiago cheese for extra flavor. Experiment with fresh and aged Asiago to enjoy this Italian cheese in all its forms.