Packed full of a salty and earthy flavor, Pecorino Romano is a hard, versatile cheese made from sheep’s milk that has been aged to perfection. It is one of Italy’s oldest cheeses and is still being made the same way today as it was in ancient Rome! It is used in many traditional Italian dishes, including in pasta, pizza, sauces, soups, and salads — there are endless possibilities for this cheese!
A little good-quality Pecorino Romano can elevate an everyday meal into something utterly delightful. So, if you’re looking to spice up your weekly meal roster, look no further than these cheesy recipes with pecorino romano.
1. Cacio e Pepe
If you only master one traditional Italian recipe, make it this one! Cacio e Pepe simply means cheese and pepper, and it’s a dish that comes together with only a few ingredients. This recipe walks you through making a creamy, cheesy, deliciously luscious sauce with just pecorino romano, butter, and the starchy water leftover from the spaghetti.
2. Roasted Cauliflower with Pecorino Romano
These cheesy roasted cauliflower bites are only four ingredients away! Oven-roasting the cauliflower in olive oil and then sprinkling grated Pecorino Romano on top results in a caramelized exterior and a tender, delicious inside. Excellent served as a side dish with your favorite main, this cauliflower dish can also be used in place of mashed potatoes or pasta.
3. Cacio e Pepe Potatoes
Containing all the delicious flavors of Cacio e Pepe, these roasted potatoes are so easy they’ll become your new go-to favorite. They only have a few ingredients but the Pecorino Romano and freshly ground black pepper that is added just before serving to elevate this meal far beyond the regular roast potato.
4. Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Pecorino Cheese
This roasted broccoli is one of our favorite low-carb sides and has been known to convert even the worst broccoli haters! Soft, tender, and perfectly roasted broccoli is tossed with lemon juice and Pecorino Romano. The flavor combination is unbeatable!
5. Corn Frittata with Pecorino Cheese
Frittatas are the ultimate throw-together meal! It’s a great way to use up any extra vegetables and can be customized to your taste. This recipe incorporates fresh corn kernels, sharp Pecorino Romano, and fresh herbs for a fresh summer flavor that is sure to impress the family.
6. Chicken with Pecorino Cream Sauce
This recipe uses a combination of Pecorino Romano and Parmesan to make a perfectly creamy cheese sauce. The parmesan offsets the strong Pecorino flavor, ensuring the sauce has just the right amount of cheesiness and flavor to smother the chicken and spinach. Plus, it’s a one-skillet recipe that can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner.
7. Garlic Portobello Mushrooms with Pecorino Romano
Garlicky, cheesy portobello mushrooms with only three ingredients? Yes, please! Grill the mushrooms on the barbeque or cook them in a pan to get them nicely browned. The Pecorino Romano really makes these mushrooms something spectacular, and they go great with grilled meat, a salad, or just eaten straight off the tray with your fingers!
8. Summer Vegetable Gnocchi
This is a flavor-packed, bright stove-top meal that’s perfect for whipping up after work. The recipe uses a trio of vegetables, pillow-soft gnocchi, and a grating of fresh Pecorino Romano to create a satisfying and filling meal in less time than it takes to order pizza!
9. Crispy Pecorino Romano Chicken
How do you improve on crispy chicken? Add some creamy Pecorino Romano to the crumb! This is definitely a favorite on our meal plan! The succulent chicken is thinly sliced and breaded with a Pecorino crumb before cooking. Serve with a bit of garlic aioli to dip, and you’ve got a meal the whole family will rave about!
10. Cheese Puffs
This recipe takes a crispy choux pastry puff and pipes it full of garlic, herbs, Pecorino Romano, and cream cheese. Don’t let the technique of making the pastry by hand scare you off — it may take some time, but the effort is well worth it for these tasty bites!
11. Romano Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is an absolute favorite, so how can you improve upon perfection? By adding cheese! Grating some Pecorino Romano cheese into the garlic butter is a super easy way to transform the traditional garlic bread into a gourmet side dish. Serve it with your next meal alongside soup, salad, or meat dish, and it’ll soon be on your meal plan every week!
12. Arugula Pear Walnut Pecorino Salad
The perfect salad for nights when you need something easy, quick, and a little bit different. Whip up this traditional Southern Italian salad recipe that, despite the minimal ingredients, really delivers on taste! Feel free to add any extra salad vegetables you have, and make sure you don’t skimp on the Pecorino!
13. Cacio e Pepe Arancini
These delightful risotto balls feature a creamy, cheesy risotto all rolled up in a crispy, cheesy crumb and deep fried. They have all the delicious traditional flavors in a tasty, deep-fried arancini snack, and the extra cheese elevates these flavors to new heights!
