Randy Chandler
A cheese wheel is a large, round block of cheese that has been cured and is usually still protected by a rind. In recent years, cheese wheels have become popular for serving pasta, a dish known as pasta alla ruota or cheese wheel pasta. To prepare this dish, a bowl-sized indentation is carved into the cheese wheel, and freshly cooked pasta is added. The heat from the pasta melts the cheese, coating the pasta and any other toppings. The pasta is then tossed and served, and the remaining cheese is usually shaved down and reused.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Used for | Cooking pasta |
| Serving pasta | |
| Enhancing flavour | |
| Gimmickry/entertainment | |
| Gift-giving | |
| Storage | |
| Transport |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese wheel pasta
The cheese wheel pasta is a unique and traditional Italian dish, although it is not commonly found in restaurants in Italy. It is believed to have originated in Italy, with some claiming it began in Veneto or Lombardia. However, it is referred to as "pasta alla ruota" primarily by Americans, as the Italian word for a whole wheel of cheese is "forma" rather than "ruota."
The cheese wheel used for this dish can vary, with some restaurants using Parmigiana or Pecorino wheels. The size of the cheese wheel can also differ, with Parmigiana wheels weighing 80 pounds and Pecorino wheels weighing 40 pounds. A single cheese wheel can serve approximately 250 pastas.
Some restaurants that serve cheese wheel pasta include Fattoria e Mare in Half Moon Bay, California, and Cacio e Pepe in New York. At Fattoria e Mare, Chef Pablo Estrada adds long pepper corns, known as Piper longum, sourced directly from small farms in Cambodia. Cacio e Pepe in New York uses homemade tonnarelli pasta for their cheese wheel dish.
There are mixed opinions about the effectiveness of cooking pasta in a cheese wheel, with some considering it a gimmick for social media. However, it is undoubtedly a scenic and entertaining way to prepare pasta, often eliciting "ooohs and aaahs" from diners.
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Transporting cheese
Cheese wheels are blocks of cured cheese, usually still protected by a rind, and ordinarily come in round truckles. The wheel shape made cheese truckles easier to transport, as they could be rolled around.
Cheese wheels can be purchased in various sizes, from 5-pound wheels for less than $60 to 15-pound wheels for about $150. They can be stored in a variety of shapes, including round truckles, cuboids, and triangle wedges, and are typically kept in the fridge, especially once cut into.
When used in restaurants, cheese wheels are often used as a serving vessel for pasta dishes. The pasta is cooked and then tossed into the cheese wheel, where the heat from the pasta melts the cheese, coating the noodles and any other toppings. The pasta is then removed from the wheel, which is then shaved down and reused for another dish.
Some restaurants may change the cheese wheel daily, grating the remaining cheese to use as toppings for other dishes. This practice ensures the cheese remains fresh and does not dry out.
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Cheese wheel storage
Cheese wheels are used in a popular method of serving pasta, known as pasta alla ruota, or "cheese wheel pasta". The super-hot pasta is placed in the wheel with a little cooking water, and as the pasta is twirled and swirled, the starch in the water binds with the fat in the cheese. This technique is said to add a unique flavour to the pasta and is often met with wonder from diners.
If you are storing an entire, uncut cheese wheel, it does not need to be refrigerated, provided it is stored in a cold, dry place, such as a basement. A dehumidifier can also be useful in maintaining the right environment. If the cheese wheel has been cut into, it should be vacuum-sealed and stored in the fridge. To prevent the cheese from sticking to the plastic, you can place a cloth or dry paper towel between the two before sealing.
If you are storing a cheese wheel that has been used to cook pasta in, simply scrape off the layer with the old sauce and let the wheel sit until the next use.
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Cheese wheel as a gift
A cheese wheel is a block of cured cheese, usually still protected by a rind, and ordinarily comes in round truckles. The wheel shape made these large cheese blocks easier to transport as they could be rolled.
Cheese wheels have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to serve pasta, with the dish being known as 'pasta alla ruota' or 'cheese wheel pasta'. The pasta is cooked and then tossed in the cheese wheel, with the heat from the pasta melting the cheese, coating the noodles. This method of serving pasta is a spectacle, with the cheese wheel often being brought to the table and the pasta being tossed in front of the diner.
Due to their size, cheese wheels are often a group dining experience, with a single wheel serving up to 4 people. This makes them a great gift for a family or a group of friends. They can be purchased from specialist cheese shops or online, with prices ranging from $60 for a 5-pound wheel to $150 for a 15-pound wheel.
When giving a cheese wheel as a gift, it is important to consider the recipient's cheese preferences and storage options. A cheese wheel will need to be stored in the fridge, especially once it has been cut into. It is also a good idea to include some pasta and instructions on how to create the 'cheese wheel pasta' experience at home. For an extra special touch, you could include some additional toppings such as black pepper or truffle.
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Reusing cheese wheels
Cheese wheels are often used to make pasta alla ruota, also known as cheese wheel pasta. To make this dish, freshly cooked pasta is mixed inside a hollowed-out cheese wheel, usually parmigiano reggiano, scraping the inside of the wheel to create a bowl shape. The hot pasta is then mixed with the cheese until creamy and melted.
Due to health and safety concerns, reusing cheese wheels in restaurants is prohibited in some countries, such as the US. However, some people have suggested that the wheels could be reused by scraping off the layer with the old sauce and letting the wheel sit until the next use. Nevertheless, this practice is generally discouraged, and restaurants can be held liable for any foodborne illnesses that occur from serving reused perishable items.
Despite the restrictions on reusing cheese wheels in restaurants, there are other ways to reuse cheese wheels innovatively. Here are some suggestions:
- Grate the remaining cheese: After using a cheese wheel for pasta, the remaining cheese can be grated and used as a topping for other pasta dishes, as suggested by Cacio e Pepe owner Giusto Priola. This ensures that the leftover cheese is not wasted and can enhance the flavour of other dishes.
- Create unique dishes: Instead of discarding the cheese wheel after a single use, it can be reused to create other melted cheese dishes such as raclette or flaming saganaki. These dishes involve melting cheese and are popular among those who enjoy indulgent, cheesy creations.
- Experiment with new recipes: For those feeling adventurous, cheese wheels can be used to experiment with new recipes beyond pasta. For example, creating a unique spin on the traditional British dish of cheese and crackers by using the cheese wheel as a centrepiece and offering a variety of crackers, fruits, and preserves on the side.
- Donate to those in need: Instead of discarding leftover cheese, restaurants can partner with local food banks or charities to donate the cheese wheels. This way, the cheese can be redistributed to those in need, reducing food waste and supporting the community.
- Composting: If a cheese wheel cannot be reused for food purposes, it can still be reused as compost. Cheese wheels can be broken down and added to compost piles, providing nutrients to the soil and reducing waste sent to landfills.
While there are creative ways to reuse cheese wheels, it is important to prioritize food safety and adhere to local regulations to prevent any health risks.
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Frequently asked questions
A cheese wheel is a block of cheese that is cured and usually still protected by a rind. Cheese wheels are used for storing and serving cheese. In recent years, cheese wheels have become popular for serving pasta from, with the pasta being twirled in the wheel and the adjacent cheese melting and coating the pasta.
Cheese wheels are available from specialist cheese shops, as well as some online retailers.
A 15-pound parmesan cheese wheel costs around $150, while smaller cheese wheels of around 5 pounds can be found for less than $60.
Cheese wheels come in a variety of shapes, including round truckles, cuboids, and triangle wedges. Cheese wheel pasta can be made with a variety of cheeses, including Parmigiana, Pecorino, Grana Padano, and Bella Lodi.
