How to Use Fontina Cheese in Cooking

Fontina cheese might be the ingredient your kitchen has been missing. Versatile and incredibly flavorful, this semi-soft cheese can elevate a wide range of dishes.

Whether you’re melting it into a fondue or stirring it into a creamy macaroni and cheese, Fontina’s smooth texture and rich taste add a special touch to your meals.

Fontina cheese shines in various cooked dishes. From Italian-style stuffed toast to rich quiches, it complements many ingredients beautifully.

Take asparagus quiche with Fontina, for example. The cheese’s creamy, nutty flavors pair perfectly with the earthy bitterness of asparagus.

Beyond recipes, Fontina is fantastic when melted down for a smooth, velvety consistency.

It’s ideal for cheese sauces or as a decadent addition to oven-baked dishes. Experiment with Fontina, and you might find a new favorite way to enhance your meals.

Classic Fontina Cheese Recipes

Fonduta

A traditional Italian fondue, Fonduta combines melted Fontina cheese with milk, egg yolks, and truffle shavings. Start by gently melting Fontina in a double boiler, mixing milk slowly to achieve a smooth consistency.

Next, add well-beaten egg yolks to the mixture, ensuring they incorporate fully without scrambling.

For an elegant touch, sprinkle truffle shavings over the top. Serve Fonduta warm with various dippable items like crusty bread, steamed vegetables, or even boiled potatoes.

Quattro Formaggi Pizza

Quattro Formaggi Pizza brings together the flavors of four distinct cheeses. Fontina, with its creamy texture, pairs beautifully with mozzarella, gorgonzola, and parmesan.

Start with a well-proofed pizza dough, stretching it to your desired thickness. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the base, then sprinkle a mix of shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan. Add cubed or shredded Fontina and crumbled gorgonzola.

Bake the pizza in a preheated oven until the crust is crisp and golden, and the cheese has melted into a bubbly, irresistible layer.

Stuffed Pasta

Fontina cheese takes stuffed pasta dishes to a new level of indulgence. Whether you’re making ravioli, tortellini, or even cannelloni, Fontina can be a star-filling ingredient.

Start by combining finely grated Fontina with ricotta cheese, sautéed spinach, and a pinch of nutmeg. This mixture creates a creamy, flavorful filling that complements the pasta.

Fill your pasta with the mixture, ensuring each piece is well-sealed to prevent leaks during cooking. Boil the stuffed pasta until al dente, then serve with a simple sage butter sauce or a rich tomato sauce. The melted Fontina inside offers a delightful burst of flavor in every bite.

Innovative Cooking Ideas with Fontina

Fontina Cheese Sauces

Fontina cheese melts beautifully, making it perfect for sauces. To create a classic cheese sauce, melt Fontina in a non-stick pan over low heat, stirring until smooth.

You can enhance pasta dishes by infusing a Fontina sauce with garlic and white wine. For a bolder taste, add nutmeg, salt, and pepper. This sauce works well with gnocchi, fettuccine, or drizzled over steamed vegetables, adding a sophisticated touch.

Baked Dishes

Fontina excels in baked dishes, providing a luxurious, creamy element. Incorporate it into casseroles, lasagnas, or gratins for a delightful upgrade. A popular choice is Macaroni and Fontina Cheese, where the cheese creates an explosion of creamy goodness.

Another delicious option is an asparagus quiche with a smooth filling, blending blanched asparagus with the nutty flavor of Fontina. Baked dishes with Fontina are sure to become comfort food favorites.

Vegetarian Delights

Fontina cheese can elevate many vegetarian dishes. Use it in a vegetable tart, combining fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables with melted Fontina.

A simple yet delicious idea is Fontina-stuffed mushrooms, where the cheese melts to a creamy filling inside roasted mushroom caps. Another creative approach is to make a vegetarian pizza, topping it with Fontina, roasted peppers, spinach, and olives.

Pairing With Other Ingredients

Complementary Flavors

Fontina cheese pairs well with ingredients that enhance its creamy and nutty profile. It blends beautifully with herbs like thyme and rosemary, adding depth to your dishes.

Combine Fontina with mushrooms, caramelized onions, and garlic for a perfect flavor balance in savory omelets or pizzas. For a light yet rich dish, consider roasting asparagus and topping it with melted Fontina, creating a delightful contrast between the cheese and the vegetable’s mild bitterness.

Nuts such as walnuts and pecans complement Fontina’s texture and bring out its nutty undertones. Adding honey or fig jam on a cheese platter brings a touch of sweetness that pairs exceptionally well with Fontina’s slightly tangy notes. Likewise, fresh fruits like pears and apples offer a refreshing contrast.

Wine and Beverage Pairings

Pairing Fontina cheese with the right beverage can enhance your dining experience. Dry white wines, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, harmonize with Fontina’s creamy texture and nutty flavor. These wines’ crisp and acidic profiles complement the richness of the cheese.

For a similar experience, pairing seared ahi tuna with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc can enhance the freshness of the tuna and balance its rich flavor.

For a robust option, light red wines like Pinot Noir work well due to their fruity and slightly acidic nature, making them an excellent match for Fontina’s nuttiness.

If you prefer beer, opt for Belgian ales or pale ales. These brews have a balanced bitterness that won’t overpower the cheese. Additionally, sparkling water with a hint of citrus can act as a palate cleanser, letting the flavors of Fontina shine.

When creating cocktails, consider those made with herb-infused spirits, such as a rosemary gin and tonic. This can complement the herbaceous notes you might add to a Fontina dish.

Nutritional Table (per 100 grams)