5 Provolone Recipes You Need to Make This Spring (Pizza, Pasta, & More)
Yes, provolone is a tried-and-true deli staple. But this pasta filata cheese rewards heat, patience, and a little imagination. Its name is rooted in the Italian words prova or provola, which mean “globe shaped.” After the curds are stretched in salted hot water—responsible for the elastic texture—they are formed into different shapes and then brined and aged.
Hand Pies with Provolone and Spiced Plum Compote
These hand pies pair mild provolone with a savory-sweet plum compote for contrast and balance. Plums are cooked with brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and rosemary until jammy. The rustic square shape allows for generous filling and clean edges while showcasing the layered interior.
Arancini with Provolone and Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli
Arancini are traditionally filled with mozzarella, but provolone brings a deeper, more assertive melt. Mild provolone softens without disappearing, adding richness and a gentle tang that stands up to the crisp exterior. Sun-dried tomato aioli delivers acidity and sweetness, cutting through the arancini’s richness while echoing southern Italian flavors. Serve hot, when the centers are still gooey and the contrast between crunch and cream is at its peak.
Pizza al Taglio with Onions and Provolone
Pizza al taglio is a Roman-style pie known for its airy, bubbly crumb and crispy crust, often likened to focaccia. This version relies on a long-fermented homemade dough; allow for at least 12 hours, but shoot for 24 hours to let the structure and flavor fully develop.
Beef Braciole with Provolone
Braciole is an Italian-American dish of flattened beef that’s rolled with provolone, prosciutto, garlic, parsley, and breadcrumbs, then braised in tomato sauce. Called involtini, or “little bundles,” it originated in southern Italy, where family variations have been passed down for generations. Today, it’s a classic Sunday supper, traditionally served over pasta or creamy polenta.
Provolone-Stuffed Bolognese Shells
Jumbo cheesy pasta shells are baked atop a flavorful Bolognese sauce, topped with creamy Alfredo and breadcrumbs, and broiled until toasted and melty. This recipe is easy but takes some patience as the sauce has to simmer for a few hours. Set aside a lazy afternoon to allow these complex flavors to develop. Serve with a crisp, light salad and a glass of Chianti.
If You Love Cheese and Butter, You MUST Visit Little Cloud
Twenty minutes outside of Madison, Wisconsin, lies Paoli: A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town rooted in the state’s long-standing dairy tradition. From 1888 to 1980, Paoli served as a hub for butter and Swiss cheese production, thanks to a factory perched on the banks of the Sugar River. In 2022, butter production returned. The year prior, a local group of families revitalized and reopened the building, naming it The Seven Acre Dairy Company. Landmark Creamery moved in the following year, breathing new life into the space with its award-winning butter. There’s also a boutique hotel and several eateries on-site, including Little Cloud Restaurant.
Little Cloud’s Café de Paris Compound Butter
The famous butter sauce this recipe is derived from was invented in Switzerland in 1930 at its namesake restaurant—and the 96-year-old classic gets a farm-to-table update at Little Cloud Restaurant in Paoli, Wisconsin. Executive chef Andrew Wilson uses Landmark Creamery butter crafted on-site by founder Anna Landmark. Let it melt on top of a grilled […]
Steamed and Seared Artichokes With Lemon Aioli
What could be a more appropriate way to usher in spring, with its attendant vigor and freshness, than snacking on artichokes leaf by leaf? Easily one of the most interesting vegetables, artichokes are actually the nascent flower buds of a 6-foot purple thistle that’s common in the Mediterranean basin. Their taste is much more elusive, […]
Raw Carrot Salad with Athenos Feta
This simple and fresh raw carrot salad is the perfect easy side dish to add to your spring menus. Made with crunchy carrot ribbons, adorned with tangy feta cheese and drizzled with a simple honey lime dressing.
