🧀 Dairy & eggs · Aged cheese

Pecorino

Very salty, pungent sheep's Pecorino, more animalistic and sharp than Parmesan.

Italian sheep's milk cheese with a salty and slightly pungent taste, and a hard, granular texture. Pecorino is a pillar of Mediterranean gastronomy, appreciated grated over pasta or shaved onto salads for its characteristic aromatic intensity.

Best pairings

Classic · the proven matchAroma bridge · a shared aroma links themContrast · opposites balance out

Tomato Classic
An eternal Sicilian duo: the fresh acidity of tomato marries the salty minerality of pecorino.
88%
Fava bean Classic
Fava beans and Pecorino, a Roman spring snack.
87%
Black pepper Classic
Cacio e pepe: Pecorino and pepper on pasta.
87%
Pasta Classic
Pecorino on pasta, for cacio e pepe and amatriciana.
85%
Guanciale Classic
Guanciale and pecorino, for carbonara and gricia.
85%
Pear Classic
Pear and pecorino, the Tuscan 'cacio e pere' pairing.
84%
Olive oil Classic
An essential Tuscan foundation: liquid olive oil enhances the fatty creaminess of pecorino.
84%
Honey Contrast
Pecorino and honey, a sweet-savory cheese board pairing.
82%
Black olive Classic
Italian synergy: black olives and Pecorino share an earthy minerality and noble bitterness.
82%
Zucchini Classic
Grated Pecorino on pan-fried zucchini for salt and umami.
80%

🔒 + 25 more pairings in the app
Plate builder, pantry, dishes: it's all in the app.

In the kitchen

Grated over pastaShaved in saladPaste for finishingBaked in eggsWith honey for tasting

Signature dishes

Pesto GenoveseSauce · Liguria (Italy)

Pasta CarbonaraMain · Rome (Italy)

Cacio e PepeRomaine SaladBaked Eggs

Substitutes

Parmesan Manchego Kashkaval

FAQ

What goes with pecorino?

Pecorino pairs especially well with tomato, fava bean, black pepper, pasta and guanciale. An eternal Sicilian duo: the fresh acidity of tomato marries the salty minerality of pecorino.

What can I substitute for pecorino?

If you don't have it, try: parmesan, manchego, kashkaval.