Bushra Griffith
If you're looking for a show-stopping dish to impress your guests, look no further than pasta served in a wheel of cheese. This indulgent dish, also known as pasta alla ruota, involves mixing freshly cooked pasta in a hollowed-out cheese wheel, typically Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, or Grana Padano. The hot pasta melts the cheese, coating each noodle in a creamy, cheesy sauce. This simple yet decadent dish can be customised with your choice of pasta and toppings, and is often prepared tableside in restaurants for a memorable dining experience. While buying a large cheese wheel can be expensive, it's a unique way to elevate your next dinner party or special occasion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Names | Cheese wheel pasta, pasta alla ruota, dalla forma, flaming cheese wheel pasta, flaming cheese wheel |
| Preparation | Cook pasta, place in hollowed-out cheese wheel, scrape cheese from wheel, mix pasta and cheese, sprinkle with black pepper, serve with additional grated cheese |
| Cheese types | Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, Manchego, Parmesan |
| Pasta types | Spaghetti, linguini, fettuccine, tortellini, carbonara, cacio e pepe, Bolognese |
| Add-ons | Truffle, salmon, shrimp, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil |
| Presentation | Tableside, flaming |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
When it comes to choosing the right cheese for your pasta, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, it is essential to opt for a hard cheese that can be easily carved and hollowed out to form a bowl. This is crucial as it ensures the structural integrity of the wheel and prevents it from collapsing under the weight of the pasta. The most commonly used cheese for this purpose is Parmigiano Reggiano, also known as Parmesan. Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese with a nutty, savoury flavour that pairs exceptionally well with pasta. Its firm texture makes it ideal for hollowing out and creating a cheese bowl.
However, you are not limited to just Parmesan; other hard cheeses can also be used. For example, Grana Padano is a similar Italian cheese with a slightly sweeter flavour that can be used as an alternative to Parmesan. Pecorino Romano, another hard Italian cheese made from sheep's milk, is also a suitable option and will lend a sharper, more pungent flavour to your dish.
When selecting your cheese, it is important to consider the size of the wheel. Depending on the number of people you plan to serve, you may need a larger or smaller wheel. A bigger wheel of cheese can serve more portions, typically around 3 to 4 servings of pasta. If you are serving a large group, opting for a larger wheel ensures that there is enough for everyone.
The freshness of the cheese is also a key consideration. It is best to choose a fresh, high-quality cheese to ensure optimal flavour and texture. Fresh cheese will have a better melting consistency when combined with hot pasta, resulting in a creamy and indulgent dish. Additionally, look for cheese with a thick rind as this will make it easier to hollow out and create a stable bowl for your pasta.
Lastly, consider the flavour profile you wish to achieve. Different cheeses will impart distinct flavours to your pasta. For a classic, traditional flavour, Parmesan is an excellent choice. However, if you want to experiment with different tastes, you can try using other hard cheeses such as Gruyère, aged Cheddar, or even a flavoured cheese like truffle-infused cheese for an extra indulgent touch. Remember to choose a cheese that complements the other ingredients in your pasta dish, whether it's a simple cacio e pepe or a more complex recipe with additional sauces or meats.
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Opening the cheese wheel
To open a cheese wheel, you will need a knife and a spoon. Using these tools, carefully cut open your wheel of cheese to form a bowl. You can also choose to eliminate the rind, but only on top. Carve out a decent-sized bowl in the centre of the wheel, making sure to leave enough cheese inside the wheel so that it can melt and coat each piece of pasta.
It is important to note that the process of opening a cheese wheel can be delicate yet demanding. You will need to dig out a "bowl" within the cheese, being careful not to break the wheel or leave any cracks that might cause the cheese to leak out when it melts.
Once you have successfully opened your cheese wheel and created a bowl, you can move on to the next step of preparing your pasta. Remember to cook your pasta as usual before adding it to the cheese wheel.
Some sources suggest that you can light the cheese on fire to create a cheesy sauce before adding the pasta, while others recommend simply melting the cheese by mixing hot pasta into the wheel.
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Preparing the pasta
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheese wheel. Cut open the wheel and carve out a bowl-like shape in the centre, creating a hollowed-out space to accommodate the pasta. This step requires careful handling to ensure the cheese wheel remains intact. You can use a knife and spoon to sculpt the desired shape.
Once the pasta is ready, it's time to combine it with the cheese. Transfer the hot pasta into the hollowed-out cheese wheel. Use scraping tools or spoons to mix the pasta thoroughly with the cheese, ensuring each piece of pasta is coated evenly. The heat from the pasta will melt the cheese, creating a creamy and cheesy sauce.
Finally, season the pasta to your liking. You can add ingredients like black pepper, olive oil, garlic, or a cream sauce for extra flavour. It is important to work quickly during this step as the cheese will start to solidify once it cools down. Once you are satisfied with the consistency and seasoning, serve the pasta immediately.
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Mixing the pasta and cheese
To mix the pasta and cheese, start by hollowing out a large wheel of hard cheese, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, to form a bowl. You can use a knife and spoon to carve out the middle of the cheese wheel. The cheese bowl will be placed tableside, so it should be large enough to accommodate your desired serving size. Next, cook your pasta of choice until al dente. Any type of pasta can be used, but it should be hot when combined with the cheese to facilitate melting.
Once the pasta is cooked, transfer it to the hollowed-out cheese wheel. Use scraping tools or spoons to mix the pasta and cheese together, lifting the melted cheese to coat each piece of pasta evenly. You can also add other ingredients to the mixture, such as garlic cream sauce, olive oil, or black pepper. Continue mixing and scraping until the cheese is creamy and melted to your desired consistency.
The warm pasta will help to melt the cheese, creating a rich and indulgent dish. The amount of cheese melted and the consistency achieved will depend on personal preference. Some people prefer a thicker, creamier sauce, while others may opt for a lighter coating of cheese. It is important to work quickly during the mixing process to ensure the pasta remains hot and the cheese melted. Once the pasta and cheese are thoroughly combined, the dish is ready to be served.
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Serving suggestions
Serving pasta in a wheel of cheese is a great way to impress your guests. The dish is simple to make and can be easily prepared tableside. It is also known as pasta alla ruota, and the most popular term for it is "cheese wheel pasta".
To serve pasta in a wheel of cheese, you will need a cheese wheel, preferably a hard cheese such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, or Grana Padano. You can cut open the cheese wheel and scrape the inside to create a bowl, leaving the cheese shavings inside. The amount of pasta you put into the wheel will depend on how many people you are serving. It is recommended to cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente.
Once the pasta is cooked, place it into the cheese wheel and mix until the cheese is creamy and melted. You can use tongs or scraping spoons for this step. If you want to flambée the cheese, you can add a splash of alcohol like vodka, brandy, or grappa to the wheel and light it up. This will help to melt the cheese and create a flaming cheese wheel pasta.
Finally, serve the pasta immediately with additional freshly grated cheese and ground black pepper on top. You can also add other toppings of your choice, such as truffles or olive oil. This dish is sure to be a memorable experience for your guests, and it can be made more affordable by having everyone chip in to buy the cheese wheel.
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Frequently asked questions
Pasta served in a wheel of cheese, also known as pasta alla ruota, is a style of pasta made tableside by mixing freshly cooked pasta in a hollowed-out cheese wheel. The hot pasta melts the cheese, coating each noodle.
Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, and Manchego are some of the most commonly used cheeses for this dish.
First, cut open the cheese wheel to form a bowl. Boil pasta and dump it inside the cheese wheel. Mix the hot pasta with the cheese using scraping spoons or tongs until creamy. Serve immediately with additional toppings like black pepper or truffle.
This dish is offered at select Italian restaurants across the United States. Some restaurants that have served variations of this dish include Forma in Santa Monica, Numero28 in Houston, Zanti in Magnolia, Nico Ristorante in Boston, and Adriana's in New Haven.
