Bushra Griffith
Cheese wheel pasta, also known as pasta alla ruota, is a dish where hot, freshly cooked pasta is placed into a hollowed-out cheese wheel and tossed with a sauce. The cheese melts and coats the pasta, creating a creamy and indulgent dish. This showstopping dish is often served tableside and has gained popularity through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. While some sources claim that the dish originates from Italy, others argue that it is a restaurant gimmick. Whether it's a gimmick or not, it's clear that cheese wheel pasta has captured the attention of diners around the world. So, where can you get your hands on this cheesy dish?
Where to get cheese wheel pasta
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | Oste, Izakaya Fu-Ga |
| New York | Cacio e Pepe |
| Boston | Nick DiGiovanni's kitchen |
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What You'll Learn
Restaurants serving cheese wheel pasta
Cheese wheel pasta, also known as pasta alla ruota, is a style of pasta where freshly cooked pasta is mixed inside a hollowed-out cheese wheel, usually parmigiano reggiano, resulting in a creamy and cheesy dish. While it may have originated in Italy, with Italian cooking instructor Viola Buitoni claiming it first appeared in Veneto or Lombardia, it is now a popular dish in restaurants across the United States.
Eataly
Eataly, a restaurant with locations across the US, has been offering dishes served in cheese wheels since 2010. Their global vice president, Dino Borri, mentions that the dishes vary depending on the seasonality of the produce.
Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e Pepe, a New York restaurant named after the famous pasta dish, claims to be the first restaurant in New York to serve pasta from a cheese wheel. They use homemade tonnarelli pasta and offer this dish as it is simple and one of the most famous core dishes in Rome.
Nico or Strega
Located in North End, Nico and Strega serve cheese wheel pasta after 4 PM every night.
Other Options
Due to the dish being listed under different names on restaurant menus, it can be challenging to find. However, some online sources mention that select Italian restaurants across the country offer this dish, and it is often made tableside. One such example is a restaurant in Santa Monica, California, called Forma, which has taken credit for naming this style of pasta "dalla forma", which translates to "from form" or "from forma". Additionally, a restaurant in Los Angeles, Oste, is praised for its Italian cuisine, with one reviewer claiming it is the best Italian restaurant in LA.
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Making cheese wheel pasta at home
Cheese wheel pasta, or pasta alla ruota, is a simple yet delicious dish that can be prepared at home. It is a showstopper and is sure to impress your guests. Here is a step-by-step guide to making cheese wheel pasta in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Ingredients:
- Pasta of your choice (preferably long pasta such as Mafalde, Tagliatelle, or Spaghetti)
- Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano are recommended, but regular Parmesan can also be used)
- Butter
- Olive oil (preferably extra virgin)
- Black pepper
- Salt (optional)
- Parsley (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by chiselling out the middle of a cheese wheel with a pairing knife. You can place the extra cheese that you chisel off to the side and save it for later.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. You can add salt to the water to enhance the flavour.
- Add the pasta and boil it according to the packet instructions until it is al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, drizzle olive oil and sauté garlic and onions.
- Add white wine to the saucepan and cook until it reduces.
- Pour in heavy cream and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Add grated cheese to the sauce and whisk together. You can adjust the amount of cheese to your taste preference.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper, and add parsley if desired.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it well and set it aside in a large non-stick pan. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil and mix to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- Now, it's time to combine the pasta and the sauce. Place the pasta in the cheese wheel bowl and toss it around, ensuring each piece of pasta is coated in the sauce and cheese.
- You can garnish the pasta with freshly grated cheese and parsley, if desired.
- Finally, serve the pasta directly from the cheese wheel for a stunning presentation.
Tips:
- It is recommended to use a long pasta shape, but you can also use other types of pasta such as penne or fusilli.
- If you prefer a stronger cheese flavour, you can use Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano.
- For a creamier texture, use butter and olive oil to coat the pasta before adding the cheese.
- Black pepper is essential as it provides a peppery kick that cuts through the richness of the cheese.
- You can adjust the amount of cheese and seasoning to your taste.
Now you can impress your family and friends by serving them this delicious and scenic cheese wheel pasta at your next dinner party!
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The history of cheese wheel pasta
In the United States, the dish is commonly known as "pasta alla ruota", which Buitoni suggests may have originated as a direct translation of the Italian name. The name "alla ruota" translates to "from the wheel" or "from forma", with "forma" being both the Italian word for "wheel" and the name of a restaurant in Santa Monica, California, that is credited with popularising the dish.
The dish typically involves mixing freshly cooked pasta with a hollowed-out cheese wheel, usually Parmigiano Reggiano, although other cheeses such as Pecorino Romano, Grana Padana, and Bella Lodi are also used. The heat from the pasta melts the adjacent cheese, coating the noodles and any other toppings. This process is often performed tableside, creating a unique dining experience for customers.
Cheese wheel pasta has gained significant popularity in recent years, with TikTok hashtags related to the dish receiving millions of views. While it may have started as a gimmick, cheese wheel pasta has become a sought-after dining experience, with restaurants across the globe offering their unique takes on this Italian creation.
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The best types of cheese for cheese wheel pasta
Cheese wheel pasta, also known as pasta alla ruota, is a style of pasta that is made tableside by mixing freshly cooked pasta in a hollowed-out cheese wheel. The most common cheese used for this dish is Parmigiano Reggiano, but other types of cheese can also be used, such as Pecorino Romano and spicy Pecorino Romano (also known as "cacio").
When making cheese wheel pasta, the hot cooked pasta is placed in the scraped cheese wheel and mixed until the cheese is creamy and melted onto the pasta. Sometimes, the cheese is flambéed (i.e. lit on fire with a splash of alcohol like vodka or brandy) to induce melting. This variation is called "flaming cheese wheel pasta" or "flaming cheese wheel."
The choice of cheese for cheese wheel pasta depends on personal preference and the desired flavour profile. Parmigiano Reggiano is a popular choice due to its strong, nutty flavour and its ability to melt smoothly. It is also a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes.
Pecorino Romano, on the other hand, is a sheep's milk cheese that is known for its salty, tangy flavour. It is commonly used in Italian cuisine and adds a unique flavour to the pasta. Spicy Pecorino Romano, or "cacio," is another option that adds a kick to the dish.
Ultimately, the best type of cheese for cheese wheel pasta is the one that appeals to your taste preferences and pairs well with the other ingredients in the dish. Whether you choose Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, or another variety, the key is to use a high-quality cheese that will melt smoothly and enhance the flavour of the pasta.
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Other dishes cooked in a similar way to cheese wheel pasta
While cheese wheel pasta is a unique and indulgent dish, there are other dishes cooked in a similar way that you can try. Here are some alternatives:
Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e Pepe is a classic Roman dish that translates to "pasta with cheese and black pepper." It can be served in a traditional bowl or taken up a notch by tossing it in a hollowed-out wheel of Pecorino Romano cheese. This variation is known as Cacio e Pepe in Forma, with "forma" referring to the cheese wheel. The spicy cheese, pepper, and pasta are tossed together, creating a simple yet delicious dish.
Fettuccine Bolognese
Fettuccine Bolognese is a modern interpretation of a classic Italian dish. Instead of mixing the sauce with the pasta, the sauce is served on top of the pasta, which is cooked in boiling water and sautéed with olive oil and black pepper. The pasta is then tossed into a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, coating it in a layer of creamy cheese.
Tortellini
Tortellini is another classic Italian dish that can be served in a cheese wheel. At Forma in Venice, they offer tortellini with mushrooms served in a wheel of Bella Lodi cheese, a hard cheese with a black rind also known as Black Parmigiano. The tortellini is cooked and then tossed in the cheese wheel, creating a unique and tasty dish.
Risotto
While pasta is the most common dish served in a cheese wheel, risotto can also be prepared in this style. Forma Venice serves a traditional risotto dish out of a Grana Padano cheese wheel. The creamy risotto is tossed in the cheese wheel, creating a rich and indulgent dish.
Like cheese wheel pasta, these dishes offer a unique dining experience, combining simplicity with opulence. The cheese wheel adds a touch of theatre to the meal, making it an unforgettable experience for diners.
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Frequently asked questions
You can get cheese wheel pasta at Oste, which has been described as having "the best Italian food in LA".
Cacio e Pepe in New York was the first restaurant in the city to serve cheese wheel pasta.
Nick DiGiovanni in Boston serves cheese wheel pasta, which involves an 80-pound parmesan cheese wheel shipped from Italy.
In Italian, cheese wheel pasta is called "pasta alla ruota" or "pasta alla routa".
First, cut a bowl into the centre of a parmesan cheese wheel. Then, light the cheese bowl on fire with a torch and pour in some white wine. Once the cheese has melted, add in the pasta and cream sauce. Finally, mix everything together until the pasta is evenly coated in the cheese sauce.
