Although pecorino cheese is authentically Italian artisanal craftsmanship, having its origins in the cuisines of Rome, Sardinia, Tuscany, and Sicily, its use has expanded throughout the world, and home cooks and chefs have come up with inventive ways to use its savory, sharp flavor. Here, we will look at some culinary uses for pecorino and some advice on enhancing its flavor.
The Traditional Italian Cuisine
Pecorino is a culinary treasure in Italian cooking. Each regional type has its traditional roles for this exceptional cheese.
Roman Cuisine
There is no substitute for Pecorino Romano. Pecorino Romano, one of the Iconic Italian Cheeses, is essential to the three holy trinities of Roman pasta: cacio e pepe, carbonara, and amatriciana. In cacio e pepe, literally “cheese and pepper” pasta, aged Pecorino Romano is grated and emulsified with pasta water and cracked black pepper to form a luxuriously creamy, piquant sauce clinging to spaghetti or tonnarelli. It’s a minimalist dish that exemplifies how a great cheese can carry a recipe. We already mentioned this gorgeous pasta in our Instagram before; follow this link to see step by step recipe.
Carbonara traditionally mixes pecorino (sometimes with a bit of Parmigiano) with eggs and guanciale (pork jowl) to create that silky coating on noodles. Pasta all’amatriciana from Amatrice uses Pecorino in the sauce of tomatoes and guanciale. The cheese balances the acidity of tomatoes with its salt and tang.
Beyond pasta, Romans enjoy Pecorino Romano grated over vegetable dishes (like puntarelle salad with anchovy dressing). And even in some savory pies. A simple but excellent Roman antipasto is a chunk of grilled or seared Pecorino Romano served with a drizzle of honey or alongside prosciutto – the cheese’s high melting point means it warms and softens without fully melting, yielding a delightful texture (this was noted by a traveler enjoying grilled pecorino with prosciutto and onion marmalade as a favorite dish).
Sardinian Cuisine
Pecorino Sardo is used by both young and aged. Cooks might cube a young Pecorino Sardo into salads or serve it with flatbread (carasau). One famous Sardinian pasta is culurgiones – plump dumpling-like ravioli filled with potato, pecorino, and mint. The pecorino (usually Sardo) gives these pillows of pasta their depth of flavor. Sardinians also have a dish of gnocchetti sardi (small dumpling pasta) with tomato sauce and grated mature pecorino. And, of course, Sardinian pesto (as mentioned) mixes in Pecorino Sardo. Locals sometimes cure pecorino in unusual ways – for instance, wrapping it in walnut leaves or crusting it in chili – showing how versatile its uses are.
Tuscan Cuisine
Pecorino Toscano, especially the young one, pairs beautifully with ingredients like broad beans (a springtime combo similar to the Roman fava + pecorino tradition) or with honey and walnuts as a dessert cheese. Tuscans also use aged pecorino in hearty soups (like ribollita – a vegetable bread soup – a shaving of pecorino on top adds umami). In the beautiful town of Pienza, they even age pecorino in barrels with things like grape pomace or oak ash. And serve it as a local specialty. Tuscans often melt pecorino fresco on crostini and top it with a dollop of truffle paste or fig jam—creating an excellent sweet-salty cheese experience.
Sicilian Cuisine
Pecorino Siciliano (or Pepato) frequently appears grated over Sicily’s baked pasta dishes and vegetable gratins. For example, Pasta alla Norma (with eggplant and tomato) is often finished with grated salty ricotta salata (pressed ricotta) or aged pecorino – either work to add that salty kick. Sicilians use pecorino to make little fried cheese balls or stuffings for arancini (rice balls). Fresh pecorino (not entirely aged) is sometimes cubed in salads with oranges and olives. A very Sicilian combo of flavors (salty cheese, sweet citrus, briny olive). People often enjoy the Pepato variant, with black pepper, simply with bread and a glass of red wine. Letting the pepper and beloved cheese stimulate the palate.
A Cheese of Many Faces
The term “pecorino” is well-known outside of Italy to refer to various sheep’s milk cheeses that share similar qualities. While Pecorino Romano is the most popular type in the world, other types like Pecorino Sardo, Pecorino Toscano, and Pecorino Siciliano have also influenced global cooking. The main components—firm texture, umami depth, and saltiness—remain the same, even though each adds a unique regional flair. This makes it a versatile option for various culinary styles.
North America: A Taste Enhancement
In North America, Pecorino is a common and delectable substitute for parmesan in kitchens. Both home cooks and chefs use it to add a final touch to roasted vegetables, pasta, and soups. Its sharpness and complexity elevate simple dishes like mashed potatoes, Caesar salads, and scrambled eggs. One often adds grated Pecorino to macaroni and cheese for an adult twist. Or used in breadcrumb mixtures for breaded chicken and seafood.
Artisanal delis and high-end restaurants in the U.S. and Canada frequently showcase Pecorino in cheese boards paired with fig jam, honey, or prosciutto. When health-conscious consumers looking for alternatives to cow’s milk cheese learn that sheep’s milk may be easier for some cheese lovers with dairy sensitivities to digest, pecorino is gaining popularity.
Rustic Pairings in Latin America
Latin American cooks frequently add Pecorino to dishes rich in roasted meats, beans, and corn. In Argentina and Brazil, two countries with strong Italian ancestry, pecorino is grated over simple dishes like grilled vegetables, added to empanada fillings, or melted into creamy polenta. It contrasts fatty cuts sharply and harmoniously blends with the smokiness of grilled meats like asado.
Pecorino can be found in fusion cuisine, adding depth to tamales and enchiladas or as a topping for esquites (Mexican street corn salad). Still, Cotija and Queso Añejo are more prevalent in Mexico.
Asia: Fusion and Innovation
Pecorino has become a creative experimentation ingredient throughout Asia. Especially in cosmopolitan culinary scenes like Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In Japan, Pecorino is used in wafu (Japanese-style) pasta. Combining it with soy sauce, mushrooms, or seaweed to create bold umami-rich dishes. Korean chefs incorporate it into kimchi pancakes or bibimbap variations. Where its saltiness is used to make a delicate balance with fermented and spicy flavors.
In India, Pecorino has made its way into upscale takes on traditional dishes. For example, Pecorino naan or added to savory lentil dals for a nutty, creamy contrast. Its ability to hold up to strong spices and rich heritage sauces. What makes it a natural fit for Indian cuisine’s robust flavors.
Australia and New Zealand: From Market to Table
With thriving sheep farming industries, Australia and New Zealand have embraced Pecorino not just as an import. Local cheesemakers now produce it as a cheese style in its own right. Chefs down under often use Pecorino instead of salt, shaving it over spring salads or chargrilled veggies or mixing it into pastries and tarts. You might find Pecorino stirred into soft scrambled eggs or sprinkled over avocado toast with fresh herbs in brunch-loving cities like Melbourne and Wellington.
The Middle East: Bold Matches
In the Middle East, where cheese is essential to mezze and cooking, Pecorino adds a distinctly European layer to regional dishes. Its intense flavor pairs well with spices like za’atar, sumac, and cumin. Cooks shave Pecorino over flatbreads, fattoush salads, and even hummus and grate it into eggplant stews or lamb dishes to add body and complexity.
Pecorino also matches beautifully with dried fruits, olives, and nuts. That makes it a natural addition to mezze platters alongside labneh and olives.
Pecorino Cheese in France: A French Twist on Italian Tradition
While France is home to an exceptional variety of cheeses—think Brie, Camembert, and Roquefort. Pecorino has found its niche, particularly in the country’s southern regions, where Italian influence is more substantial. Pecorino’s bold, salty flavors are often incorporated into French cuisine with a twist in areas like Provence and Corsica, which share borders with Italy.
Southern France: A Fusion of Italian and French Flavors
In the south of France, where the Mediterranean climate nurtures French and Italian culinary traditions, cooks and chefs embrace this exceptional cheese as both an ingredient and a finishing touch. In these regions, Shefs often use Pecorino in savory, tangy flavors, tarts, quiches, and casseroles. Its tangy profile pairs beautifully with the fragrant herbs and vegetables typical of Provençal cooking. Pecorino adds richness and complexity to these classic dishes, whether melted into a ratatouille or used to top a savory French galette.
Corsica: A Regional Staple
On the island of Corsica, Pecorino holds a particularly special place. Though Corsica produces its own local sheep’s milk cheese—le Brocciu—it shares many similarities with Pecorino, and the two cheeses often appear side by side in regional cuisine. In Corsican cooking, Pecorino is usually grated or shaved over various dishes, from pasta to fresh salads. Bakers often feature it prominently in focaccia bread, where the cheese’s saltiness balances the dough’s richness. Corsicans, well-known culinary enthusiasts, also use Pecorino in meat dishes. By pairing it with lamb or charcuterie, whose substantial flavor cuts through the richness of fatty cuts.
Pecorino in French Cheese Boards and Dining
Meanwhile, the French are more likely to serve Pecorino as part of a cheese platter alongside their domestic cheeses. It’s also becoming a common choice for chefs looking to offer something different. Many high-end bistros and restaurants across France feature Pecorino as part of a mixed cheese board. By pairing it with local honey, fruit compotes, or artisanal bread.
Additionally, Pecorino’s use has expanded beyond the more traditional Mediterranean dishes. In contemporary French cuisine, where fusion cooking is gaining ground, Pecorino appears in a wide variety of French classics. Shaved over a French onion soup, grated into a delicate risotto, or used as an unexpected topping for croque-monsieur sandwiches.
French Pastries and Pecorino
Pecorino is becoming increasingly popular in French kitchens. As chefs are experimenting with using it in French pastry, incredibly savory tarts. They frequently add Pecorino to iconic cheese mixtures to provide a sharper contrast to milder options like Gruyère or Comté. The combination creates a rich, flavorful filling that enhances the buttery, flaky pastry. Pecorino is also sometimes used in puff pastry recipes. By adding depth to the buttery layers while still allowing its saltiness and sharp flavor to shine.
For the home cook looking to use Pecorino cheese
One thing to note when cooking with Pecorino-aged cheese is its saltiness and dryness in aged form. If substituting for a milder cheese, add a bit less later in the cooking process to avoid overpowering it. Young pecorinos (fresco) can often be treated like melting cheese. For example, young Pecorino Toscano or Sardo can be an excellent filling for grilled cheese sandwiches or stuffed into vegetables, as they melt into a gooey, milky filling with a slight tang.
In global haute cuisine, Pecorino has made appearances creatively. Shaved frozen (with liquid nitrogen) over dishes for delicate salty snow or infused into broths for umami. But even in simple home cooking around the world, Pecorino’s role is typically as the “umami bomb,” a little sprinkle to finish and elevate a dish.
Some easy options for quick cooking
- Grate it over everything where you want a savory boost – kinds of pasta, roasted cauliflower, sauteed greens (e.g., finish garlicky sauteed broccoli rabe with pecorino), baked potatoes (pecorino and pancetta on a potato – yum!), or polenta.
- Make a Pecorino crust: mix grated Pecorino with bread crumbs and herbs to top a casserole or bread cutlets. It will add crumbly texture and flavor when baked.
- Pecorino in dough: add finely grated Pecorino Romano to your biscuit or bread dough for cheesy bread or even into a pie crust for a savory tart. It imparts a depth that plain butter can’t and helps to create that creamy texture.
- Cacio e pepe popcorn: a fun, rich flavor snack – toss popcorn with melted butter, fine pecorino, and plenty of black pepper for an Italian twist.
- Cheese boards: Serve an assortment of Pecorinos of different ages with accompaniments. Young Toscano with truffle honey, aged Romano with fig jam. Siciliano Pepato on its own to appreciate the pepper, andSardo with a few drops of balsamic vinegar on the side. This could be an educational tasting through Italy.
To summarize
Pecorino’s global journey has taken it from Italian shepherds’ huts to cheese enthusiast’s kitchens worldwide. One can use it as the focal point of a pasta dish. Or as a supporting ingredient to bring out the best in other ingredients. Chefs value its capacity to provide depth of flavor, fat, and salt in a single ingredient. Whether you’re making a traditional recipe with Iconic Italian Cheese or just want to jazz up your scrambled eggs (yes, a bit of Pecorino in scrambled eggs or omelet is fantastic), Pecorino is a powerful tool in your culinary arsenal. “Everything’s better with cheese,” as the saying goes, so do not be scared to try new things. If you want that cheese to be assertive, authentic, and full of character and timeless flavors, Pecorino is an excellent choice.
In Conclusion
Finally, the story of Secret Lands Farm shows that the spirit of Pecorino – artisanal, sustainable, innovative – is alive and well. By transplanting tradition into new soil, we ensure that Pecorino is not just a relic of the Old World. But a living, evolving product that can be local everywhere, as its underman legionaries cheeses worldwide.
Whether you are nibbling a young Pecorino with a slice of pear and a drizzle of honey, grating snow of Italian cheese over your spaghetti, or savoring an aged Pecorino with a glass of bold red wine, you are participating in a cultural experience thousands of years in the making. For food enthusiasts, Pecorino offers a journey of flavor and history in every bite – a direct connection to shepherds on a Sardinian plain, Roman legionaries, Tuscan cheesemakers, and contemporary artisans pushing boundaries. It’s a cheese that invites appreciation for its taste and the centuries-old craftsmanship and hard work it represents.
In an ever-changing food landscape, Pecorino stands as delicious constant proof that sometimes traditional methods, simple ingredients, andslow aging processes yield something that not only survives but triumphs. So, next time you enjoy this iconic cheese, take a moment to celebrate its story. Buon appetito!