Best Manchego Cheese Substitutes

Manchego is a Spanish sheep’s milk cheese with a distinctive nutty and tangy flavor. It is a semi-hard cheese that is usually aged for several months to several years.

Manchego is often used in tapas and as a topping for salads, but it is also a popular cheese for baking and cooking. In recipes, Manchego can be grated, diced, or melted and is commonly used in dishes like quiches, soufflés, and sauces.

If Manchego is not available, it can be substituted with other hard sheep’s milk cheeses such as Pecorino Romano or aged Queso Fresco.

How To Substitute Manchego Cheese In Most Recipes

Cheese ReplacerTypical RatioDescription
Mozzarella1:1A mild, fresh cheese with a soft texture and good melting ability, making it a good substitute for Manchego in dishes where a melted cheese is needed.
English Cheddar1:1A sharp, crumbly cheese that can be substituted for Manchego in dishes like cheese platters or sandwiches.
Muenster Cheese1:1A mild, semi-soft cheese with a smooth texture and good melting ability, making it a good substitute for Manchego in dishes where a melted cheese is needed.
Monterey Jack1:1A mild, semi-soft cheese with a creamy texture and good melting ability, making it a good substitute for Manchego in dishes where a melted cheese is needed.
Asiago1:1A nutty, hard cheese that can be substituted for Manchego in dishes like cheese platters or sandwiches.
Chihuahua1:1A mild, semi-soft cheese with a creamy texture and good melting ability, making it a good substitute for Manchego in dishes where a melted cheese is needed.
Parmesan1:1A sharp, salty cheese that can be substituted for Manchego in dishes like cheese sauces or sprinkled on top of pasta dishes.
Pecorino Romano1:1A sharp, salty cheese with a crumbly texture that can be substituted for Manchego in dishes like cheese platters or sprinkled on top of pasta dishes.
Zamorano1:1A nutty, firm cheese with a slightly sharp flavor that can be substituted for Manchego in dishes like cheese platters or sandwiches.