Description
Parmesan cheese crisps elevate any appetizer spread with Ina Garten’s simple, elegant technique. Crisp, golden rounds provide a delightful crunch you’ll want to serve alongside salads, soups, or enjoy as a standalone snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (907 g) ground beef
- 1 pound (454 g) pasta
- 1 cup (240 ml) mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
Instructions
- Temperature Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C), creating the ideal environment for transforming Parmesan into delicate, crispy wafers.
- Surface Setup: Cover a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper, ensuring a non-stick surface for effortless cheese crisp creation.
- Cheese Placement: Distribute tablespoon-sized Parmesan portions across the prepared surface, spacing them evenly to allow for proper melting and crisping. Gently flatten each mound using a spoon or fingertips to create thin, circular shapes that will develop a lacy texture.
- Baking Process: Position the baking sheet on the center rack of the preheated oven. Observe the transformation carefully, allowing the cheese to melt and turn golden brown, typically requiring 3 to 5 minutes. Look for delicate amber edges and a translucent, lacy appearance as indicators of perfect doneness.
- Cooling and Handling: Immediately remove the baking sheet from the oven, letting the Parmesan crisps cool completely on the surface. As they cool, the wafers will solidify and develop a satisfying crunch. Once cooled, delicately lift the crisps using a thin spatula, preserving their intricate, fragile structure.
Notes
- Cheese Quality Matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan for maximum flavor and optimal melting performance, avoiding pre-packaged shredded cheese.
- Spacing is Critical: Leave enough room between cheese portions to prevent merging and ensure individual crisp formation.
- Temperature Precision: Watch carefully during baking, as seconds can transform crisps from perfectly golden to burnt.
- Storage Strategy: Store completely cooled crisps in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crispness for 2-3 days.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg