Parmigiana vs. Schnitzel — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
Parmigiana is a layered Italian dish featuring breaded meat or eggplant with cheese and tomato sauce, while Schnitzel is a breaded, fried meat cutlet popular in German and Austrian cuisine.
Difference Between Parmigiana and Schnitzel
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Key Differences
Parmigiana typically involves layers of breaded meat, such as chicken or eggplant, covered with cheese and tomato sauce, then baked to melt the cheese and blend the flavors. In contrast, Schnitzel is simply a thin slice of meat, usually veal, pork, or chicken, breaded and fried until golden and crispy.
The origins of Parmigiana trace back to Italy, where it is often served as a main course or side dish. On the other hand, Schnitzel is primarily associated with Austrian and German cuisines, where it is a staple dish often accompanied by lemon, potatoes, or salad.
Parmigiana is often topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, adding a rich and gooey texture. Whereas, Schnitzel is typically served without cheese, focusing on the crispness of the breaded meat exterior.
The preparation of Parmigiana includes baking, which allows the flavors of the tomato sauce, cheese, and meat to meld together. Conversely, Schnitzel is quickly fried to achieve a light, crispy texture that contrasts with its tender meat inside.
While Parmigiana can be made with a variety of meats or even vegetarian options like eggplant, Schnitzel is more narrowly defined by its meat choices and lacks a vegetarian traditional equivalent.
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Comparison Chart
Base Ingredient
Breaded meat or eggplant
Breaded veal, pork, or chicken
Cooking Method
Baked
Fried
Cuisine Origin
Italian
Austrian/German
Common Accompaniments
Cheese and tomato sauce
Lemon wedge, potatoes, or salad
Texture
Soft with melted cheese
Crispy exterior, tender interior
Compare with Definitions
Parmigiana
Italian dish with layered breaded meat or vegetables.
We enjoyed a hearty chicken parmigiana for dinner.
Schnitzel
Crisp exterior with tender meat inside.
The schnitzel was perfectly crispy on the outside.
Parmigiana
Often made with eggplant or chicken.
I prefer eggplant parmigiana as a vegetarian option.
Schnitzel
Popular in Austrian and German cuisine.
Schnitzel is a popular choice at German festivals.
Parmigiana
Served as a main or side dish.
Parmigiana can be a filling entrée or a tasty side.
Schnitzel
Served with a lemon wedge to enhance flavor.
A squeeze of lemon juice brings out the best in schnitzel.
Parmigiana
Baked with cheese and tomato sauce.
The parmigiana was bubbling with mozzarella when it came out of the oven.
Schnitzel
Breaded, fried meat cutlet.
He ordered a pork schnitzel at the Austrian restaurant.
Parmigiana
Characterized by its layered composition.
The layers of cheese and sauce make parmigiana especially delicious.
Schnitzel
Commonly made from veal, pork, or chicken.
Veal schnitzel is traditionally known as Wiener Schnitzel.
Parmigiana
Parmigiana (, Italian: [parmiˈdʒaːna], also called parmigiana di melanzane [parmiˈdʒaːna di melanˈdzaːne; -ˈtsaːne] or melanzane alla parmigiana, is an Italian dish made with fried, sliced eggplant layered with cheese and tomato sauce, then baked. The origin of the dish is claimed by both the Southern regions of Campania and Sicily.
Schnitzel
A schnitzel is a thin slice of meat. The meat is usually thinned by pounding with a meat tenderizer.
Parmigiana
Made or covered with Parmesan cheese
Eggplant parmigiana.
Schnitzel
A thin cutlet of veal or other meat, usually seasoned, that is dipped in batter and fried.
Parmigiana
(cooking) Cooked or served with Parmesan cheese and tomato sauce.
Schnitzel
A dish consisting of fried veal cutlet.
Parmigiana
Any dish in which a main ingredient is combined with cheese and coated with tomato sauce before being baked.
Schnitzel
(by extension) A Germanic dish of breaded and deep-fried meat cutlet.
Schnitzel
Deep-fried breaded veal cutlets
Common Curiosities
What type of meat is typically used for schnitzel?
Typical meats for schnitzel include veal, pork, or chicken.
What are typical side dishes served with schnitzel?
Typical sides for schnitzel include potatoes, salad, or a lemon wedge.
Is schnitzel ever baked?
Schnitzel is traditionally fried to maintain its crispiness, not baked.
What is parmigiana traditionally made from?
Parmigiana is traditionally made from breaded meat or eggplant layered with cheese and tomato sauce.
How do serving suggestions differ between the two dishes?
Parmigiana is often served as part of a larger Italian meal with pasta, while schnitzel may be the main protein of a meal accompanied by sides.
How do the flavors of parmigiana and schnitzel differ?
Parmigiana features the tangy and savory flavors of tomato sauce and cheese, whereas schnitzel focuses on the mild flavor of the breaded meat, often enhanced with lemon.
How is parmigiana different from schnitzel in terms of preparation?
Parmigiana is baked to meld its ingredients together, while schnitzel is fried to achieve a crispy exterior.
Can you make parmigiana using vegetables?
Yes, eggplant parmigiana is a popular vegetarian version of the dish.
Are there any dietary considerations for these dishes?
Parmigiana can be made vegetarian, but schnitzel typically includes meat. Both dishes can be high in calories due to breading and cooking methods.
Can parmigiana be served cold?
Parmigiana is best served hot or warm to enjoy the melted cheese and savory sauce, but it can be eaten cold.
Why is cheese important in parmigiana?
Cheese adds richness, melts during baking, and binds the layers in parmigiana.
Which dish is older, parmigiana or schnitzel?
The origins of both dishes are historical, with schnitzel tracing back to at least the 19th century and parmigiana possibly earlier, though its exact origins are less clear.
Is parmigiana considered a healthy dish?
While tasty, parmigiana can be high in calories and fat, especially with cheese and frying involved.
What cultural significance does schnitzel hold in Austrian and German cuisine?
Schnitzel is a beloved and iconic part of Austrian and German culinary traditions, often celebrated in local festivals and everyday cuisine.
What makes schnitzel crispy?
Schnitzel's crispiness comes from the breadcrumb coating and the high temperature of frying.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
