Description
Parmesan cheese crisps from Ina Garten’s kitchen offer a crisp, elegant appetizer that elevates simple ingredients into gourmet magic. Guests will savor these delicate, golden rounds that crunch with sharp cheese flavor and make entertaining effortlessly sophisticated.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 pound pasta
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 400°F (204°C), ensuring optimal temperature for crispy cheese wafers.
- Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy removal.
- Carefully drop precise tablespoon-sized portions of Parmesan cheese onto the prepared baking surface, maintaining consistent spacing of approximately 1/2 inch between each portion.
- Using the back of a spoon or clean fingertips, gently flatten each cheese mound to create uniform, thin circular shapes that will crisp evenly during baking.
- Position the baking sheet in the preheated oven, placing it on the center rack to ensure balanced heat distribution.
- Monitor the cheese crisps closely, allowing them to transform into golden, lacy wafers within 3 to 5 minutes – watching for the precise moment when edges turn delicately crisp and amber-colored.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the Parmesan crisps cool completely on the surface, where they will continue to firm up and develop a satisfying crunch.
- Once cooled, carefully lift the cheese wafers using a thin spatula, handling them gently to preserve their delicate structure.
Notes
- Crisp edges turn these cheese crackers into a delightful, crunchy snack perfect for entertaining or solo munching.
- Sharp Parmesan delivers a bold, tangy punch that elevates these simple baked crisps from ordinary to extraordinary.
- Precise spacing prevents cheese from melding together, ensuring each wafer remains beautifully individual and perfectly shaped.
- Watching closely during baking guarantees a golden-brown finish without risking bitter, burnt edges that ruin the delicate flavor.
- Freshly grated cheese melts more evenly and creates a more intense, authentic taste compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg