Mini Caesar Salad Parmesan Cheese Cups

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe elevates Parmesan crisps into a fun, edible bowl filled with your favorite salad. The combination of crispy cheese and fresh, well-dressed salad creates a satisfying contrast in textures and flavors. They are easy to make, visually impressive, and customizable with any salad ingredients and dressings you love.

Ingredients

grated Parmesan cheese
garlic powder (optional)
salad greens of your choice
salad dressing (about ½ cup or to taste)
additional Parmesan cheese or croutons for garnish (optional)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper (essential to prevent sticking).
3. Place 1 to 1½ tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese onto the baking sheet per cup, spreading each mound into a roughly 4-inch wide round. Leave about 2 inches between each round. You can fit 6 to 8 rounds on each sheet.
4. If making garlic Parmesan cups, sprinkle a little garlic powder over each cheese round.
5. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted but not browned. Avoid overbaking to prevent burning.
6. Remove from the oven and let the rounds cool for 40 to 60 seconds.
7. Quickly, while still warm and pliable, use a spatula to lift each cheese round and place it over every other cup of a muffin tin. Press the cheese gently down into the cups using your fingers or a shot glass to form cup shapes. It’s okay if some cheese overlaps the tin.
8. While the cups cool and harden, toss your salad greens with dressing in a large bowl. Use as much dressing as you like; a generous amount is preferred.
9. Once the Parmesan cups have cooled and hardened, fill each cup with the dressed salad while still in the muffin tin.
10. Keep the filled cups in the muffin tin until ready to serve. If you only have one tin, fill each cup and transfer to a serving tray.
11. Garnish with extra Parmesan or croutons if desired.

Servings and timing

Makes 6-8 cups per baking sheet
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Variations

• Use shredded Asiago or Pecorino Romano cheese for different flavors.
• Add chopped herbs like parsley or basil to the cheese before baking.
• Use different salad fillings such as Caesar salad, arugula with lemon vinaigrette, or mixed greens with cherry tomatoes.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes on the cheese rounds for a spicy kick.
• Make mini cups using smaller amounts of cheese for bite-sized appetizers.

Storage/reheating

Parmesan cups are best served fresh as they can lose their crispness when stored. Store any leftover cups and salad separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Do not reheat the cheese cups as they will lose their texture.

FAQs

Can I prepare the cheese cups in advance?

You can bake the cups a few hours ahead but fill them just before serving to keep them crisp.

What type of cheese works best?

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese works best for melting and crisping.

Can I use pre-shredded Parmesan cheese?

Pre-shredded cheese may contain anti-caking agents that affect melting, so freshly grated is preferred.

How do I prevent the cheese from sticking?

Always use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper on your baking sheet.

Can I add seasoning to the cheese rounds?

Yes, garlic powder, Italian herbs, or red pepper flakes work well.

How long do these cheese cups take to cool and harden?

About 5 minutes at room temperature.

Can I make these cups gluten-free?

Yes, Parmesan cheese and salad ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Can I fill these cups with hot salad?

It’s best to use chilled or room temperature salad to keep the cups crisp.

What if I don’t have a muffin tin?

Use a small bowl or ramekin to shape the cups while the cheese is warm.

Can I reheat the filled cups?

Reheating is not recommended as it will soften the cheese cups.

Conclusion

Parmesan Cheese Cups with Salad are an elegant and flavorful way to serve fresh greens with a crunchy, cheesy twist. Easy to prepare and customizable, they make a striking appetizer or light meal that will impress guests. Their crispy texture and vibrant fillings make them a must-try for any occasion.

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