Whether it's covering pasta in a cheesy blanket or adding flavour to soups, parmesan is a cook's best friend. But when your parmesan triangle is finished, what do you do with the leftover rind? It's actually packed with flavour and shouldn't be discarded. Put it to good use in soups, sauces, 'crunchy bits' and risotto...

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1. Soup

When making soup, add the rind when you add the stock. This works particularly well for a minestrone, chunky vegetable or onion soup.

Turkey minestrone

2. Tomato sauce

Up the umami in your tomato sauce – simply add the rind with the chopped tomatoes and remove before serving.

3. Cheese sauce

Give your cheese sauce extra depth by simmering parmesan rind in the white sauce base before adding the grated cheese.

A small saucepan full of cheese sauce

4. Crunchy bits

Stick a fork or knife in the softer side of the rind, then carefully toast the harder side over a low flame until lightly charred. Leave to cool, then chop into pieces to toss through a salad, scatter over soup, or just to snack on.

5. Risotto

Add parmesan rind to the stock and simmer for 10 mins. The infused stock will add depth to your risotto.

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Tomato and Mascapone Risotto

More parmesan inspiration...

Guide to parmesan
Our best parmesan recipes
Chicken arrabbiata stew & parmesan dumplings
Ratatouille & parmesan bake
Parmesan roasties

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