Who knows how cheese trends starts? There was a time when fondue parties were all the rage, pizza ovens seemed to appear in every backyard and now wedge salads with blue cheese are back in style. Whatever the reason, the universe is colluding to make Italian pasta alla ruota the dish on everyone’s lips. It’s a simple recipe, piping hot pasta is placed in a hollowed-out cheese wheel, then a chef or waiter scrapes the sides of the cheese wheel bowl, so every single piece of pasta is coated in fresh cheese. A showstopper dish often served tableside, the TikTok hashtag #cheesewheelpasta has 232.8M views so it’s no wonder that diners are clamoring for it.
“Although it’s a little gimmicky, it’s not only a great way to use up every morsel of the Parmigiano Reggiano wheel, but also downright delicious, says Laura Werlin, the award-winning author and cheese educator known as cheezelady. Read more about Laura Werlin. Viola Buitoni, Italian cooking instructor and author of Italy by Ingredient – Artisanal Foods/Modern Recipes was raised in Perugia, Italy and laughs that “A couple of places, both in the U.S., claim to be the birthplace of it, but in reality, the technique originates in Italy as a translation of a risotto technique. I remember first seeing pasta cooked this way in the early 90’s. Both Veneto and Lombardia lay claim to having started it.”
Rotelle is a type of pasta resembling wheels with spokes. They are similar to fiori. Rotelle. Alternative names. Wagon wheels (United States), ruote (Italy), orange slices (American South)
Ruote is a wheel shaped pasta that is very similar to rotelle. It is just a bit smaller and tighter than rotelle. Like rotelle, ruote is good for capturing heavy sauces, meat or cheese sauces.
What is Pasta Alla Ruota?
Also known as cheese wheel pasta, Buitoni says only Americans call it pasta alla ruota. In Italy she says”…it’s referred to by the method with which it is made, pasta mantecata nella forma di Parmigiana. She explains that”…the U.S. name makes sense, as the word for a whole wheel of cheese in Italian isn’t the corresponding “ruota,” it is “forma.” Thus, I suspect that the name pasta alla ruota originated as a direct translation of pasta in the wheel.”
She understands its appeal. “The super, super hot pasta is placed in the wheel with a little cooking water around it, and as the pasta is twirled and swirled, the starch in the water binds into a velvety gossamer with the fat in the cheese around the strands of pasta,” she says. “I do think it adds to the pasta. It is for sure quite scenic and always gets ooohs and aaahs from diners.” She says it is not often found in restaurants in Italy. “One does see it there, but generally it’s found in convivial settings, like, say, a wedding.”
Buitoni says she’s seeing the transition from risotto to pasta gaining in popularity. “My personal theory is that Eataly has given it visibility by introducing the cacio e pepe (pasta with pepper) version in the Pecorino wheel in its restaurants.”
Making Pasta In A Parmesan Cheese wheel
FAQ
What is the name of the circle pasta?
What are little balls of pasta called?
What is wagon wheel pasta?
What is the Italian pasta shaped like a wheel?
What is cheese wheel pasta?
One common cheese wheel pasta, for instance, is cacio e pepe, which is essentially the Italian version of mac and cheese. Restaurants commonly bring cacio e pepe to the table with a large wheel of parmesan or parmigiano reggiano, performing the pasta-tossing ritual inside the hollowed-out cheese.
Where does wheel pasta come from?
Wheel pasta has found its way into architectural design in some parts of the world. For instance, in the Spanish town of Lleida, there is a unique building, known as “El Palau de Gaudí,” which features a facade adorned with tiles in the shape of wheel pasta. This unexpected architectural tribute to pasta captivates locals and visitors alike.
Is a cheese wheel pasta a gimmick?
Yes, an entire cheese wheel, brought directly to your table. Some may think this is a gimmick, but cheese wheel pasta dates back at least a decade — if not centuries. Before you get your hopes up about demolishing an entire wheel of Grana Padano, just know that the cheese wheel serves as more of a finishing touch to a dish.
What is flaming cheese wheel pasta?
A layer of cheese is scraped inside the wheel so it melts when the hot pasta is mixed in by hand. Sometimes, the cheese is flambéed (i.e. lit on fire with a splash of alcohol like vodka or brandy) to induce melting. This variation made in a flaming wheel of cheese is appropriately called “flaming cheese wheel pasta” or “flaming cheese wheel.”