11 Unexpected Ways to Season Food With Parmesan Cheese

It's not an exaggeration to say that every recipe is better with parmesan cheese. A sprinkle here, a little bit of grating there, and suddenly salads have a third dimension and pasta dishes have a deep flavor that no other ingredient can replicate. If you have a block of parmesan in your fridge and are looking for more applications, click through for the best 11 ways we've discovered to use this amazing cheese. Enjoy!

Lemon, Parmesan, and Black Pepper Popcorn: Have you ever tried parmesan on your popcorn? If you enjoy this crunchy, salty snack in on its own, you're going to pop with excitement when you add some salty, nutty parmesan into the mix. (via Cookie + Kate)

Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Adding grated parmesan really elevates Brussels sprouts. Maybe it’s because the cheese gets crispy along with the sprouts. Or maybe it’s the combo of earthy flavors that makes this so irresistible. (via I Wash You Dry)

Brown Butter Scallops With Parmesan Risotto: Risotto must have parmesan. If you’re not putting any in, you’re just not getting the full experience. (via Pinch of Yum)

Baked Parmesan Crisps: On those days when you crave parmesan, turn it into crisps. Snack on these solo, use them instead of croutons in soups, or even place 'em on top of a burger. (via Cooking With Mama C)

Baked Parmesan Tomatoes: Tomatoes and cheese go together like peanut butter and jelly. And out of all the different types of cheeses, we believe that parmesan is the best choice for this combo. Try it for yourself and you’ll taste why. (via Zen & Spice)

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs With Creamy Polenta: Parmesan not only goes with tomatoes, it goes especially well with warm tomato sauce. When you mix a little of this nutty cheese into meatballs and polenta, you’re guaranteed to experience a little bite of heaven. (via Little Spice Jar)

Escarole and Cannellini Bean Soup in Parmesan Broth: Never throw away your parmesan rinds! It wastes possibly the best part of the cheese. If you hoard your cheese rinds and then boil them into a rich vegetable broth, your soups will take on a whole new dimension that you never dreamed possible. (via Taste Love and Nourish)

Parmesan Crusted Delicata Squash: Squash and parmesan cheese is another one of our favorite pairings. A sprinkle of charred parmesan goes a long way to accentuate the woody flavors of winter squash. Then if you add a few herbs, a simple squash becomes a gourmet meal. (via Skinny Taste)

Crispy Baked Parmesan Garlic Fries: Grate parmesan on fries! There's something about tangy parmesan on a starchy potato that just works. (via Evolving Table)

Parmesan Basil Tomato Soup: A sprinkle of parmesan in classic tomato soup makes the flavors shine and gives it a silky texture. Without it, you’re missing that perfect Italian flag-colored trio of tomato, basil, and cheese. (via Little Spice Jar)

Brussels Sprouts Pizza With Balsamic Red Onions: Pizza just begs to have parmesan on it. Take things a step further and omit the mozzarella in favor of just using parmesan. Add caramelized onions, roasted vegetables, and a little bit of olive oil and you'll have a dinnertime masterpiece on your hands. (via Cookie + Kate)