6 Best Rated
Dishes with Pecorino Romano

Found throughout southern Italy, parmigiana di melanzane is a type of gratinated vegetable casserole traditionally made of fried or grilled slices of eggplant layered with basil-flavored tomato sauce and topped with one or more cheeses, such as mozzarella, pecorino Siciliano, scamorza, and caciocavallo Silano. Contrary to popular belief, parmigiana has nothing to do with parmigiano Reggiano cheese, even though it is used in many recipes as it makes for a crunchier crust. Nor, in fact, does it have any connection with the city of Parma whatsoever. In fact, the name of this scrumptious summer dish supposedly stems from parmisciana, the word for “Persian” in the Sicilian dialect, and it is often suggested that the word is rooted in the Arabic badhnajan or Turkish patlıcan, both of which mean “eggplant”. Although the eggplant was introduced to Italy by the Arabs as early as the 8th century, the parmigiana we know today may have originated in Sicily at around the 16th century, when tomatoes were first brought to Italy from the New World by the Spaniards. Later, the eggplant casserole spread across the country, taking on a version of its own in each region. Regardless of its true origins and the many different takes on the classic recipe, parmigiana di melanzane remains Southern Italian comfort food at its best, and is one of the most popular Italian dishes today.Expand

Named after Amatrice, a provincial town in the Sabine Hills northeast of Rome; the iconic Amatriciana sauce is often considered a part of the "holy trinity of Roman pasta", together with carbonara and cacio e pepe. Amatriciana was invented in the 17th century by adding tomatoes to the already famous gricia sauce – diced tomatoes are sautéed in fat rendered from juicy bits of guanciale (cured pork jowl), then tossed together with grated pecorino cheese and either spaghetti or bucatini pasta. The first recipe for Amatriciana was published in the 1790 cookbook L’Apicio Moderno by Francesco Leonardi, a renowned Roman chef and author. Over time, this classic Italian dish became so popular it was featured in several movies, from Alberto Sordi’s 1954 film An American in Rome and Luciano Salce’s 1978 Where Are You Going on Holiday? to Ryan Murphy’s Eat Pray Love, in which Julia Roberts joyfully wolfs down a portion of spaghetti all’Amatriciana while sitting on the terrace of a typical Roman osteria. With delicate heat from pepperoncino peppers, the sweetness and tartness from the tomato-based sauce, the sharpness of pecorino, and the fatty richness of guanciale, Amatriciana is best enjoyed with medium-bodied, smooth Italian reds such as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Sangiovese.Expand

This ancient dish with Roman origins is regarded as one of the simplest and most satisfying Italian dishes. Cacio e pepe consists of pasta (usually spaghetti), aged Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, and lots of ground black pepper. Since the ingredients are easy to transport and do not spoil easily, it was once the favorite dish of Roman shepherds. The spicy pepper protected the shepherds from the effects of cold weather during the night, while the pasta provided them with the carbohydrates they needed to perform their back-breaking labor. However, this simple meal is so good that the famous chef and television personality Anthony Bourdain described it by saying it "could be the greatest thing in the history of the world."Expand

Pallotte cacio e uova is a traditional dish originating from the Abruzzo region. The dish is a classic example of the cucina povera – it's believed that these cheese and egg balls probably started as a way to use up leftover cheese and stale bread. The bread and cheese are mixed with eggs and shaped into balls which are then fried and gently simmered in a hearty tomato sauce. Common additions to the balls include garlic, thinly sliced red bell peppers, and chopped parsley. Regarding the cheese, many recipes call for pecorino or parmesan.Expand

Baccelli e pecorino is a traditional appetizer originating from Tuscany. The dish consists of broad (fava) beans and pecorino cheese. Come springtime, every trattoria in Florence serves this appetizer as a basket full of intact broad beans in their pods, while pecorino cheese that's been sliced or cut into sticks is served on a wooden board. The pods are cracked open and the raw and bitter fava beans are eaten with a piece of salty cheese. It's believed that the bitterness of the beans opens up the appetite for meals that will follow. If desired, olive oil can be drizzled over the beans and cheese, and they can also be seasoned with salt and pepper.Expand

Insalata di pere e Pecorino is a traditional salad that's often served after a meal in Rome. The salad is usually made with a combination of thinly sliced ripe pears, Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon juice, and arugula (rocket). The rocket is washed, dried, and torn into bite-sized pieces that are divided among salad plates. The pears are dressed with a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. They're placed on top of the rocket, and the pears are topped with thinly shaved flakes of Pecorino cheese. The salad is served immediately.Expand