Think no more - it's time to find out the best options for this classic salad.
From mozzarella to feta, there's something in here for everyone.
Why Consider Adding Cheese to Your Caesar Salad?
The Caesar salad is a classic for good reason, but not all salads are created equal.
Adding cheese to your traditional Caesar salad can take it to the next level and transform it from an ordinary dish into something extraordinary.
By adding a variety of cheeses, you can get the most flavor out of your ingredients and create a dish that will impress even the pickiest eaters.
Cheese can add diverse flavors, textures, and colors to any meal, making it more interesting and flavorful than your typical Caesar salad.
Whether you're looking for something cheesy or milder in taste, there are countless options that will go well with the classic caesar dressing.
Acidic cheeses like feta and goat cheese can provide a nice balance to all of the other elements in the recipe like creamy dressing and crunchy romaine lettuce.
Harder cheeses like asiago or pecorino offer a unique flavor along with added texture from their grated form, while shredded cheddar or gouda add a welcome sharpness to each bite.
Meanwhile softer cheeses like mozzarella or blue cheese bring creaminess as well as mellow notes that blend nicely with all of the flavors going on in a bite of caesar salad.
Cheeses That Enhance Caesar Salad Flavor
Although cheese is not a traditional part of the Caesar salad, it has become common to add it for a richer flavor.
There are many options when it comes to choosing the best cheese for a Caesar salad, so below are 12 of the best cheeses you can pick.
Depending on your preference and budget, you may be inclined to choose one or more of them.
1. Parmesan
Parmesan is the traditional and most widely used cheese for Caesar salad due to its strong flavor and texture.
Grated or shaved Parmesan adds a nutty, salty flavor that goes with the other components of the salad perfectly.
Parmesan works best when added shortly before serving, as it will get soggy if left in the dressing for too long.
It is also a common garnish sprinkled over the top of a finished salad.
2. Asiago
Asiago cheese is a firm, granular cow's milk cheese that has a mild, sweet-salty flavor.
It is often mistaken for Parmesan, but its texture and flavor can be slightly different.
Asiago has been produced in Northern Italy since the 12th century and today it is one of the most popular types of Italian cheese.
This cheese adds a sharpness to Caesar salad that goes with the other ingredients nicely.
You can purchase it pre-shredded or freshly grated from your local grocery store or specialty food shop.
When you're using Asiago cheese in Caesar salad, you should always opt for aged varieties because they will provide the most depth of flavor.
They should also be freshly grated right before adding them to your salad - the pre-shredded varieties at the supermarket tend to lack flavor and won't give you as bright a dish as fresh grating would.
3. Cheddar
An all-time favorite, cheddar is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk.
It can range in flavor from mild to sharp and everything in-between.
Its mild flavor makes it an ideal ingredient for salad dressing, and its smooth texture makes it easy to pair with many types of salad ingredients.
Cheddar adds the perfect balance of richness and tanginess to any Caesar salad along with creaminess of other cheeses.
4. Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese is a favorite of many and goes well with a Caesar salad.
With its slightly nutty flavor, Swiss cheese provides a great contrast to the Caesar salad's slightly salty taste.
You can use both grated and cubed Swiss cheeses in your salad, although shredded will give you more of an even distribution throughout your salad.
Additionally, as Swiss cheese has medium-low fat content, it adds a nice creaminess when melted that can take the whole dish to another level.
5. Feta
Feta is a soft, salty cheese that has its origins in the Greek Islands.
This crumbly cheese is made from sheep's milk or from a combination of goat and sheep's milk.
It has a tangy flavor with a hint of sourness that makes it ideal for many salads, especially Caesar salad.
Feta can be drizzled with olive oil, chopped and added to salads or grated over the top of the salad as an attractive finish.
Feta pairs nicely with the heartiness of romaine lettuce and Caesar salad dressing and goes with the flavors of anchovies, olives, croutons and other ingredients often found in this classic dish.
6. Ricotta
Ricotta cheese is an Italian whey cheese made from the leftover liquid that remains after cow's milk is curdled and strained.
It is most commonly used in dishes such as ricotta salads, lasagna, pizzas and sandwiches.
This soft, creamy cheese has a slightly sweet and salty taste that pairs well with Caesar salad.
When adding ricotta to the salad, it's recommended you begin by crumbling a cube of cheese into small pieces.
Ricotta can also be blended with other ingredients to create a creamy dressing for the salad; try combining the cheese with herbs and spices to create your own special Caesar dressing.
7. Mozzarella
Mozzarella cheese is a popular choice for Caesar salad because of its mild flavor and creamy texture.
It is usually cut into thin slices or small cubes, adding a nice bit of texture to the dish.
Mozzarella also pairs well with garlic-infused dressing, and it helps to tame some of the dressing's spicier notes.
Because of its light taste and versatility in recipes, mozzarella can easily be enjoyed on its own or as part of salads and other dishes.
8. Gouda
Gouda cheese is a semi-hard, yellow cheese made from cow's milk.
Originating in the Netherlands, it is often considered an everyday cheese and is medium firm in texture with a mild, creamy flavor.
When used to top salads or dress them up, Gouda provides a sweet, nutty flavor and pairs nicely with the creamy mayonnaise and salty anchovies found in traditional Caesar salad recipes.
As with all cheeses when melting it into a salad, be sure to cut into small cubes or shreds before adding it to the dish.
9. Brie
Brie is a soft, creamy cheese made from either cow's or goat's milk.
It has a mild, buttery flavor with slightly sweet and nutty notes.
Brie is often found in France and is now widely available throughout the world.
It should be added in moderately small amounts to Caesar salads as its strong flavor can easily overpower other ingredients.
Brie pairs well with the acidity of the already-present lemon juice, anchovies, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce of classic Caesar dressing.
To get maximum benefits from this cheese while adding a creamy texture to your salad, you can consider spreading small cubes of brie on top of croutons before adding them to the rest of your salad.
10. Camembert
Camembert cheese, named after a French village in north-western France, is a soft and ripe cheese that was first described in 1791.
It has a soft, white appearance and its texture ranges from creamy to runny depending on how long it has been aged.
It is made from raw cow's milk, cream, salt and rennet and usually takes around three weeks to ripen.
Camembert pairs well with salami or other cured meats, toast points or crackers as an hors d'oeuvre.
As for using it in a Caesar salad, it would bring an extra creaminess to the dish.
11. Chevre
Chevre (sometimes spelled "cheeve") is a fresh cheese made from goat's milk.
Its name comes from the French for "goat" (chèvre).
Chevre is mild, with a slightly acidic flavor and creamy texture.
It's often used in appetizers and salads - Caesar salads included.
Crumbled chevre goes well with freshly dressed romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese and the other flavorful ingredients of a classic Caesar salad.
12. Roquefort
Roquefort is a silky blue-veined cheese that is made from a combination of sheep's milk and cow's milk.
It has a creamy texture and a unique flavor that have made this cheese incredibly popular all over the world.
Roquefort originated in France, but can now be found in other parts of Europe and the United States.
It goes well with salads and can be used to give Caesar salads a salty kick.
Be sure to get Roquefort cheese that has been stored at a controlled temperature as it can become moldy if not cared for properly.
Roquefort is sure to add depth and richness to any salad; try some today.
Selecting Cheese for Caesar Salad
As you can see, there are quite a few cheeses that can be used in Caesar salads - each contributing a different flavor.
Whether you prefer the subtle hint of Parmesan or want the sound of crunchy Romano cheese, there is sure to be one that suits your palate perfectly.
Having freshly grated cheese adds that extra zest and creaminess to the dish, making it irresistibly delicious.
At the same time, it's important to note that Caesar salads don't just have to be limited to either one type of cheese or mixed cheeses; there are plenty more options available such as feta, goat's cheese and Gruyère.
Ultimately, it's up to you when deciding what kind of cheese to mix into your salad - feel free to experiment with different flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Method
- Select your favorite ingredient from the range available in this article.
- Collect all the necessary items to make the recipe.
- Use the instructions provided to prepare a delicious dish in 30 minutes or less.
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The Complete Side Dish Guide - your complete resource for this topic.
Browse all side dish pairings →The best sides for What Cheese Goes in Caesar Salad create a complete plate - balance the protein with something starchy, something green, and something with a little acidity for brightness.
Great sides should go with the main - bring brightness with lemon or vinegar, add texture contrast, and keep the seasoning cohesive across the whole plate.
For weeknights, keep it to one pan - sheet pan vegetables or a quick grain cook alongside the main and means less cleanup.
Most roasted vegetables, grain salads, and slaw-style sides travel and sit at room temperature beautifully, making them ideal for buffet-style entertaining.
Carrie is a food writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked for some of the biggest names in the food industry, including Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and Martha Stewart Living.
As the Editor in Chief of EpicureDelight, Carrie oversees all of the content on the site. She also manages the team of contributing writers and editors, who help to create delicious recipes, helpful tips, and informative articles that you’ll find on the site.
A native of the Chicago area, Carrie is passionate about all things food. She loves trying new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen. She’s also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, so she knows a thing or two about food!
