It Ain’t Easy Being Cheesy – 3 Venues to Discover Cheese Wheel Pasta

Pasta in a cheese wheel! Yes, you heard correctly – but where did this indulgence originate from?

Many popular dishes have a clear origin story, however, cheese wheel pasta seems to have become mainstream only over the past decade and any history before then is anyone’s guess.

It has been suggested shepherds would carry cheese wheels around with them, using the shells as bowls; while in the Middle Ages, there was a steady trade of cheese wheels as they were easier to travel with than a large brick of cheese.

These days, each restaurant that serves cheese wheel pasta has its own unique spin on the dish such as cacio e pepe, which is essentially the Italian version of mac and cheese, brought to the table in a large wheel of Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano, performing the pasta-tossing ritual inside the hollowed-out cheese.

Here are three restaurants where you can experience the taste sensation of cheese wheel pasta yourself:

When only the best will do, head to Cucinetta perched at the top of Woolwich Road, overlooking Lane Cove River, where guests embark on a culinary adventure like no other. Offering an abundance of natural light, retreat into rustic decor of warm, earthy tones, a sandstone kitchen and bursts of greenery, best suited to intimate dining at any time of the day.

 

Cucinetta is committed to reviving old cooking methods and sourcing the finest, sustainable produce for a seasonal menu; with a dynamic, open kitchen the showpiece of the restaurant. Indulge in cheese wheel spaghettone with mushroom purée, Parmesan and butter sauce, topped with truffles; or signature spaghetti with rock lobster for two, enjoyed with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. 

Offering traditional Italian dining and an exclusive vibe, I Maccheroni on Jersey Road in Woollahra draws visitors from near and far to enjoy an authentically styled experience. Charming rusticity abounds inside with timber furniture and walls accented with navy cushioned seating and dark racks overflowing with an extensive selection of wines, creating an intimate ambience for romantic dining.

 

Michelin star-trained Chef, Marcello Farioli pairs classic Italian recipes and local produce in a modern, yet authentically effortless menu; start with anchovies, stracciatella and garlic bread, before twirling your fork around spaghettone cacio e pepe in the cheese wheel, or saffron mafaldine with duck ragu, chicory, eschalot and olive crumbs.

Take your taste buds on a journey through Italy at Café Settebello on Newton Road in Campbelltown. This family-owned and operated Adelaide restaurant specialises in traditional wood-oven style pizzas, gourmet pasta, risotto and much more in stylish surrounds of black subway tiles, monochromatic murals of the homeland and subdued lighting.

 

Find your perfect plate with starters such as Italian bruschetta with prosciutto, tomato, herbs and basil followed by signature Parmesan cheese wheel fettuccine pasta with fried mushrooms, stracchino cheese, porcini mushroom paste and cream, finished with flaming brandy and truffles.