What Cheese Does Olive Garden Use? Discover Their Signature
Have you tasted the delicious dishes at Olive Garden? If so, you may be curious about their rich, creamy cheese sauce. What’s the secret behind it?
I recently had a chance to discover the cheesy secret behind Olive Garden’s dishes, and it’s not the everyday cheese you find in your fridge. So, what cheese does Olive Garden use?
Today, I’ll share what cheese Olive Garden uses that enhances its delectable meals.
What Cheese Does Olive Garden Use in Their Recipes?
Olive Garden uses Lotito Romano Cheese in its recipes. This cheese, made from sheep’s milk, provides a sharp and tangy taste that elevates the taste of their signature meals.
Lotito Romano Cheese is finely grated. It’s often sprinkled over pasta, soups, and salads. This adds a unique savory richness.
“For less than the cost of a Big Mac, fries and a Coke, you can buy a loaf of fresh bread and some good cheese or roast beef, which you will enjoy much more.”
– Steve Albini, American Musician and Record Producer
This cheese choice shows Olive Garden’s promise to provide a great dining experience. It uses a simple yet flavorful ingredient that adds a touch of Italian authenticity to its recipes.
But what comprises the Crispy Chicken Fritta offered by Olive Garden?
Does Olive Garden Use Parmesan Cheese In Their Recipes?
Olive Garden incorporates Parmesan cheese in its recipes [1]. They offer patrons the option to request a freshly grated sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to be added to nearly any dish they serve.
Parmesan cheese adds a nutty and savory flavor. It really enhances the Italian dishes at the restaurant.
This option allows customers to customize their meals, enhancing the taste with a simple yet delicious addition.
So, if you’re a Parmesan cheese fan, you can enjoy its delightful presence in many of Olive Garden’s delectable offerings.
Which Cheese Does Olive Garden Grate Onto Its Food?
At Olive Garden, Parmesan cheese dominates when it comes to grating onto their delicious dishes.
Your server expertly uses a cheese grater, adding as much Parmesan as you want to your plate.
This finely grated Parmesan adds a nice touch to many Olive Garden dishes. It boosts the flavors and gives an extra layer of savory goodness.
What Sets Parmesan Cheese Apart From Romano Cheese?
Parmesan cheese is crafted from cow’s milk, resulting in a nutty and slightly sweet flavor profile.
In contrast, Romano cheese is made from sheep’s milk, which imparts a saltier and sharper taste.
The milk source changes the flavor. Parmesan has mild, sweet notes. Romano stands out with its bold, salty tang.
Knowing how different cheeses taste helps you pick the right one for pasta or salads.
Which Cheese Packs A Stronger Flavor: Parmesan or Romano?
Romano has a strong and bold flavor compared to Parmesan.
This assertive flavor makes Pecorino Romano the ideal choice for traditional Roman dishes like pasta all’amatriciana, carbonara, and spaghetti cacio e pepe, where its robust taste can shine through.
“Olive Garden’s secret ingredient isn’t just love; it’s the delectable Lotito Romano cheese that adds that extra Italian magic to their dishes.”
– Lidiya Gaboor -Famous Dancer-
On the other hand, Parmesan offers a milder flavor.
The reason behind this is its use of unpasteurized cow’s milk [2], which yields a more subtle taste than the more potent sheep’s milk used in Pecorino Romano.
FAQs on Cheese Does Olive Garden
What is the brand of the cheese grater used at Olive Garden?
The brand of the cheese grater used at Olive Garden is Zyliss, often referred to as the “Ferrari of cheese graters.”
This high-quality grater easily grates hard Parmesan cheese. It makes the process smooth and quick.
Which cheese is inside the tortellini served at Olive Garden?
The tortelloni served at Olive Garden contains Asiago cheese.
These tasty pasta pouches are stuffed with Asiago cheese. They are baked in a creamy, homemade Alfredo sauce. The dish also includes Italian cheeses and toasted breadcrumbs.
What is the stuffing inside the cheese ravioli at Olive Garden?
The cheese ravioli at Olive Garden is filled with a delicious blend of Italian cheeses.
These mouthwatering pasta parcels are served with your preference of either homemade marinara or meat sauce, and they are generously topped with melted mozzarella cheese, offering a delightful and cheesy Italian dining experience.
You might also like to read about the methods of heating up Olive Garden breadsticks here.
Is Parmesan or Romano cheese sharper?
Romano cheese is sharper than Parmesan cheese.
Its unique flavor profile is defined by a saltier and more pronounced taste. It is a perfect selection for individuals who enjoy a more robust cheese flavor in their meals.
What cheese is similar to Romano cheese?
Cheeses similar to Romano cheese include Grana Padano and Asiago. These cheeses share some common characteristics, such as a hard texture and a savory, nutty flavor.
Final Thoughts
During my recent visit to Olive Garden, I had the opportunity to explore the cheese choices that make their dishes truly exceptional.
Olive Garden uses Lotito Romano Cheese. This cheese adds real Italian flavor to their recipes and enhances the taste of their meals.
If you’re a Parmesan lover, you’ll be pleased to know that Olive Garden offers freshly grated Parmesan cheese for that perfect finishing touch on almost any dish they serve.
Lastly, Parmesan and Romano cheeses differ clearly. Parmesan has a mild, nutty sweetness. At the same time, Romano stands out with a stronger, saltier flavor, making it ideal for certain Roman dishes.
References:
- https://marzetti.com/olivegarden/en_us/olive-garden-parmesan-ranch-16-oz.php
- https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/cows-milk-and-milk-alternatives.html
