We have a comfort food love for cheese, and Parmesan is as guilty as the perpetrator. Mozzarella gets the glory, but another is the brains behind creating pizza that little bit better on its own, Parmesan cheese. Strong aroma and salty, nutty flavor, Parmesan adds yet another depth and richness to pizza that most cheeses can’t.
Oven-baked sprinkled on top or sprinkle of fresh over-serving Parmesan cheese adds an added flavor to pizza. Why would pizza be better than Parmesan? How do you make homemade Parmesan cheese pizza and is it healthy enough to have daily for breakfast and lunch and dinner? Let us know.
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What Is Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is months-old, years-old cow’s milk cheese. That’s why it gets so nutty. It’s pungent, and salty in taste. Not mozzarella soft cheese. It’s not moist and crumbling.
It is only taken in small quantities in small amounts because it is such a powerful flavor. Parmesan is grated and eaten in spoonfuls over pasta dishes, soups, salads and naturally pizzas.
Parmesan pizza is never used as the sole base cheese. It will always be combined with mozzarella for richness. Mozzarella will melt and stretch, but Parmesan is that flavor note.
Why Everyone Loves Parmesan Cheese Pizza
Everyone loves parmesan cheese pizza because:
- Peppery Taste: Parmesan is extremely pungent and salt-tasting and the taste is synced elsewhere balanced by tomato sauce.
- Textured Ingredient: Crumbly outside after cooking.
- Complements Toppings – Parmesan follows pepperoni and vegetables.
- Aroma – oven-fresh shredded fresh Parmesan with fresh-baked hot pizza aroma is very pungent.
- Restaurant-Style Devourer – gourmet class is accorded home-pizza when Parmesan is sprinkled on top.
Simply, Parmesan perfects pizza.
How Parmesan Cheese Is Used on Pizza
Parmesan is utilized in a variety of ways on pizza:
- Pre-Bake: Puts toppings on top and sauces with Parmesan and bakes. Bakes on pizza and yields a crunchy, nutty crust.
- Post-Bake: Sprinkle pizza with Parmesan after removing from the oven for extra stronger, fresher flavor patterns.
- Used with Mozzarella: It was the mozzarella and the Parmesan in certain recipes in trying to create meltiness and flavor.
- In the Dough or Sauce – Some actually have you add Parmesan to tomato sauce or pizza dough for that extra oomph of depth.
Wherever you add it, Parmesan is always a pinch of magic.
Homemade Parmesan Cheese Pizza Recipe
See how you can make homemade classic Parmesan cheese pizza at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 homemade or store-bought pizza dough
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
- Olive oil (1–2 tbsp)
- Favorite topping (pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Roll dough on lightly floured surface and onto a baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Brush with a light coat of olive oil over dough.
- Cover with pizza sauce evenly.
- Cover with mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with your favorite topping.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes or golden brown crust and bubbly melted cheese.
- Optional: sprinkle extra Parmesan on pizza shortly after removing it from the oven.
This is actually a very easy recipe that makes excellent restaurant-style pizza at home.
Nutrition Facts of Parmesan Cheese Pizza
Nutritional facts of Parmesan pizza vary according to recipe but here are approximate per serving (1/8 medium pizza):
- Calories: 250–300
- Protein: 12–15g
- Fat: 10–14g
- Carbohydrates: 25–30g
- Sodium: 500–700mg
- Calcium: 15–20% daily requirement
Parmesan is high in protein and calcium but also sodium. That is why you must use it sparingly.
Is Parmesan Cheese Pizza Healthy?
Keep in mind that it is a healthy meal if you are eating it in moderation.
The Good:
- It is high in protein. Which is nutrient-dense.
- High in calcium for bone growth.
- Salty, so you will be using less cheese than mozzarella cheese.
The Not-So-Good:
- Salty, a type of food that is commonly known to raise blood pressure.
- Calorie dense when consumed in bulk.
- Dense in saturated fats.
Amendments made:
- Whole wheat crust.
- Load with lots of vegetables.
- Decrease the quantity of overall cheeses but retain Parmesan as an added flavor.
Parmesan Cheese Pizza Varieties
Parmesan can be utilized in pizza variety preparation:
- Classic Cheese Pizza – Mozzarella + Parmesan.
- Garlic Parmesan Pizza – White sauce and garlic and Parmesan topping.
- Vegetable Parmesan Pizza – Spinach, mushroom, or pepper topping.
- Chicken Parmesan Pizza – Italian traditional version as pizza with breaded chicken, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Parmesan Flatbread – Light and thin type of crust.
They all have Parmesan’s distinctive flavor in one or another.
Fun Facts About Parmesan Cheese Pizza
- Italian Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano) can be manufactured only in Italy’s controlled provinces.
- Restaurants apply garnish with Parmesan-wrapped crust borders.
- Parmesan is naturally lactose-free and can be enjoyed happily even by lactose intolerants.
- Parmesan was used in Italy only to sprinkle as a final topping on pizza, but never to use it as an ingredient to build pizza.
- Parmesan has a far more intense umami (meat) taste compared to any other variety of cheese.
Q and A for Parmesan Cheese Pizza
Is Parmesan cheese healthy to eat on pizza?
It’s protein and calcium but then also sodium. Better for you in small amounts.
Can I just swap Parmesan for mozzarella on pizza?
You can. But it won’t melt. Apart from mozzarella.
Will a Parmesan cheese pizza be a healthy diet?
It will give a good amount of protein and calcium but also salt. Better for you in small amounts only.
Do I use fresh or pre-shredded Parmesan?
Pre-shredded is easy, but real Parmesan is superior. Either will do.
Is frozen Parmesan cheese pizza reheatable?
Yes. Bake in the oven for optimal flavor.
Parmesan Cheese Pizza
Parmesan pizza tastes great and is superior to our topping pizza. Salty, nutty taste and crunch texture add what mozzarella does not. As a meltable topping to place on the top as a garnish, or as an addition that is stirred into the sauce. It adds something to each bite.
It may not be the healthiest food if eaten every day. But in moderation, it’s a delicious, protein-rich, and satisfying meal. Add vegetables, and choose whole wheat crust. Balance your portion sizes, and you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds, flavor and nutrition.
