Cacio e Pepe (Easy + Authentic)
Ingredients
- 6 oz spaghetti
- 2 oz pecorino cheese
grated
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
used as needed to achieve an emulsified sauce in step 3), cooled to 150F (70C
- 1/2 tbsp whole black peppercorns
Directions
- 1
Toast whole peppercorns over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes to extract the oils. Transfer to a pepper grinder or mortar and pestle and grind to a medium coarse grind. Add back to your pan with the heat off.
- 2
Cook your spaghetti (or pasta of choice) in lightly salted water. 2 minutes before the pasta is done, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and set on the counter to let cool to about 150F or 70C - this is the key to avoiding lumpy cheese! Adding pasta water straight from the pot is much too hot.
- 3
While the heat is off, add 3/4 of your grated cheese to your peppercorns along with a 1/4 cup of the cooled pasta water at a time, stirring until you get a loose but emulsified sauce.
- 4
Add your drained pasta and mix vigorously. At this point your pasta should start to absorb the sauce, but add additional pasta water and mix if the sauce is too thick. Continue mixing until you achieve the correct consistency (refer to video). Serve immediately and enjoy!
Cacio e Pepe (Easy + Authentic)
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About this Recipe
Craving a taste of Rome that's both elegant and incredibly simple to make? This Cacio e Pepe recipe brings the classic Roman experience right to your kitchen, proving that some of the best meals are made with just a few quality ingredients.
This recipe works because it honors tradition while making it accessible. "Cacio e Pepe" literally translates to "cheese and pepper," and that's precisely what you get: a harmonious blend of rich Pecorino and fragrant black peppercorns, all coming together in under 20 minutes for the ultimate pasta night dish. The magic lies in the emulsified sauce, where hot pasta water and cheese combine to create pure bliss.
Prepare for a truly comforting and deeply flavorful experience. You'll enjoy long strands of spaghetti coated in a velvety, glossy sauce that clings perfectly. Each bite delivers a punch of pungent, salty Pecorino balanced by the aromatic warmth and subtle spice of freshly cracked black pepper. It's a dish that feels sophisticated yet profoundly satisfying, showcasing how incredible a few well-chosen components can be when treated with respect.
To tailor this classic to your liking, consider adjusting the amount of freshly ground black pepper for a milder or bolder kick. While spaghetti is traditional, you can also experiment with other long pasta shapes if you prefer. For a slightly different texture, try crushing the whole peppercorns more coarsely to enhance their bite.
This Cacio e Pepe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a romantic meal for two, or when you simply crave authentic Italian comfort food. It’s best served immediately, allowing you to savor its creamy, peppery warmth straight from the pan.