I had a lot of trouble finding certain items when I first began learning to cook. One of those things was manchego cheese.
It’s a delicious, but expensive, cheese that can be hard to find. I lived in a small town at the time and the only grocery store didn’t carry it. So, I had to find a Manchego cheese substitute.
If you’re in the same situation or just looking for an alternative to Manchego cheese, I’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll list 12 substitutes for Manchego cheese that taste great and are easy to find.
Manchego Cheese Substitutes:
- Cottage Cheese
- Havarti Cheese
- Cheddar
- Zamorano
- Edam Cheese
- Gouda
- Chihuahua Cheese
- Asiago Cheese
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Parmesan
- Almond Cheese
- Muenster Cheese
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a great alternative to Manchego cheese in any recipe. It has a similar texture and flavor but is lower in fat and calories.
Cottage cheese can be used in a 1-to-1 ratio for Manchego in any recipe. It works well in dishes where the cheese is melted or shredded, such as lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and quesadillas.
It is also a good choice for baked goods, such as muffins, pancakes, and waffles.
The higher protein content of cottage cheese makes it a good choice for people who are looking to increase their protein intake.
Havarti Cheese
Havarti cheese is another good alternative to Manchego cheese. It has a similar texture and flavor but is lower in fat. Havarti cheese can be used as a substitute for Manchego cheese in any recipe.
It works well in dishes where the cheese is melted or shredded. When using Havarti cheese to substitute for Manchego cheese, you may want to add a little bit of salt to the recipe to make up for the difference in flavor.
Havarti cheese is also a good choice for people who are looking to reduce their fat intake.
Cheddar
Cheddar cheese is a great alternative to Manchego cheese. It has a similar taste and can be used in any recipe that calls for Manchego. Use a 1-to-1 ratio when substituting.
Cheddar is less expensive and more readily available. It also has a more robust flavor, which can be a nice change in certain dishes.
Additionally, when substituting Cheddar for Manchego, keep in mind that Cheddar will melt more easily and may not have the same firm texture when cooled.
Overall, Cheddar is a great replacement for Manchego and works well in many recipes.
Zamorano
Yes, Zamorano is a Manchego cheese substitute! This Spanish cheese has a similar taste and texture to Manchego.
Zamorano can be used as a 1-to-1 replacement for Manchego in any recipe. This cheese is made from sheep’s milk, just like Manchego, and has a similar nutty flavor.
However, the main difference between Zamorano and Manchego is that Zamorano is aged for longer, which gives it a stronger flavor.
You can use Zamorano in dishes such as lasagna, macaroni and cheese, quesadillas, and even baked goods. If you’re looking for a Manchego cheese substitute that has a similar taste but is less expensive, Zamorano is a good choice.
Edam Cheese
Edam cheese is a Manchego cheese substitute that is made from cow’s milk. It is lower in fat compared to Manchego.
Edam cheese can be used as a one-to-one replacement for Manchego in any recipe. This cheese has a milder flavor than Manchego, so it may not be the best choice for dishes where you want a lot of cheesy flavors.
Because Edam cheese is milder it may not be the best choice for dishes that are meant to be very cheesy.
However, for most other recipes, like lasagna or macaroni and cheese, Edam cheese makes a great Manchego substitute.
Edam is usually cheaper than Manchego, so you can save some money while still getting a delicious dish.
Gouda
Gouda is another Manchego cheese substitute that is made from cow’s milk. It has a similar taste and texture to Manchego.
It is a good choice for dishes where you want the cheese to melt and add a creamy texture. Gouda is also a good choice for baked goods. When substituting Gouda for Manchego, use a 1-to-1 ratio.
However, Gouda is a bit milder compared to Manchego, so it may not be a great substitute for those who want the strong flavor of Manchego Cheese.
Chihuahua Cheese
Chihuahua cheese is from Mexico and is made from cow’s milk. Additionally, it has a similar taste and texture to Manchego cheese.
Chihuahua cheese can be used as a one-to-one replacement for Manchego in any recipe. This cheese has a milder flavor than Manchego.
It also offers less fat and more protein than Manchego, making it a great alternative for those looking for a lower-fat substitute.
Asiago Cheese
Asiago cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a similar taste to Manchego. It can be used as a 1-to-1 replacement for Manchego in any recipe.
This cheese has a more piquant flavor than Manchego, so it may not be the finest option for milder dishes. Asiago is a great choice when you want to grate the cheese over a dish or use it in its solid form.
Note that the Asiago will provide a bit more of a “bite” than Manchego, so keep that in mind when substituting.
Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella cheese also makes the list of great alternatives to Manchego cheese. Although Mozzarella cheese may not have the same nutty flavor as Manchego, it still makes a great substitution in any recipe.
This cheese is also made from cow’s milk and can be used as a 1-to-1 replacement for Manchego. When cooked Mozzarella gets stringy, making it a great cheese for dishes like pizza and lasagna.
However, because Mozzarella is a bit milder, you may want to consider using a stronger-flavored cheese like Asiago or Parmesan in dishes that call for Manchego.
Parmesan
Parmesan is another great alternative to Manchego cheese. It’s made from cow’s milk (may vary by type) and tastes and feels similar to Manchego, but it’s less expensive.
Parmesan can be used as a 1-to-1 replacement for Manchego in any recipe. This cheese has a strong flavor, so it may not be the best choice for dishes where you want a milder cheese.
Because Parmesan is saltier than Manchego, you may want to reduce the amount of salt in your recipe when substituting Parmesan for Manchego.
Parmesan is a good choice for dishes where flavor needs to be enhanced such as lasagna, macaroni and cheese, quesadillas, and even baked goods.
Almond Cheese
Almond cheese is a great substitute for Manchego cheese. If you are an almond lover like me, seeing almond cheese on this list is very exciting.
Almond cheese is made when almonds are ground into a nut paste and then mixed with water, oil, and other seasonings. It works well in sweet and savory dishes.
To use almond cheese as a substitute, use a 1-to-1 ratio. Almond cheese has a mild flavor, so it is a good choice for dishes where you want the cheese to be a background flavor.
Almond cheese is also lower in fat and calories than Manchego, making it a great alternative for those looking to cut down on fat and calories.
Muenster Cheese
Muenster cheese is a good Manchego cheese substitute. It is also made from cow’s milk and should be used in a 1-to-1 ratio.
Muenster cheese is milder than Manchego, so it may not be the best choice for dishes where you want a strong cheese flavor.
However, Muenster is a good choice for dishes where you want the cheese to melt.
Do note that when cooking Muenster it may give your food an orange hue, this is because of the annatto in the cheese.
FAQ
What Can I use instead of Manchego?
There are a few great substitutes for Manchego cheese. Asiago, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Almond Cheese, and Muenster cheese are all great alternatives.
What English Cheese is like Manchego cheese
Corra Linn is an English-made Manchego-style cheese. It has a comparable flavor and texture to Manchego, making it a fantastic alternative.
Conclusion
Manchego cheese is a delicious cheese that can be used in many different dishes. If you’re looking for a Manchego cheese substitute, there are a few great options.
When substituting, keep in mind the different flavors of each cheese and how that will impact your dish.