Cacio e Pepe Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz dried bucatini
or spaghetti
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
plus more for garnish
- ½ tsp cracked black pepper
toasted
Directions
- 1
Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- 2
Add a small handful of salt and pasta to boiling water.
- 3
Cook pasta, stirring occasionally until al dente, 6 to 8 minutes.
- 4
Drain pasta, reserving 2/3 cup pasta water.
- 5
Pour pasta back into pot or into a large skillet and place over low heat.
- 6
Add pasta water and butter and toss together until butter just melts.
- 7
Add grated cheese and black pepper and continue to toss together until cheese melts and a creamy sauce forms.
- 8
Top with more grated cheese and serve.
Cacio e Pepe Recipe
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About this Recipe
Craving a deeply flavorful, impossibly creamy pasta dish that comes together with minimal effort and just four ingredients? This Cacio e Pepe recipe is your answer, transforming pantry staples into a truly indulgent Roman classic, perfect for any weeknight dinner.
We love this Cacio e Pepe recipe because it truly delivers authentic Roman flavors with such elegant simplicity. The magic lies in the quality of freshly grated Pecorino Romano and the aromatic toasted black pepper, which together create a deeply satisfying, savory, and subtly spicy experience that feels far more complex than its short ingredient list suggests.
What to expect from this dish is nothing short of a culinary revelation: perfectly al dente pasta coated in a luxurious, silky-smooth sauce. Each forkful offers the delightful sharp, salty tang of Pecorino Romano, beautifully balanced by the aromatic warmth and subtle bite of the freshly cracked black pepper. It’s a dish that celebrates simplicity and the power of high-quality ingredients, leaving you with a profound sense of satisfaction that only the best comfort food can provide.
Customization & Variations
While traditional Cacio e Pepe relies on its classic four ingredients, you can easily adapt the pasta type to suit your pantry. Feel free to use spaghetti if bucatini isn't available, or explore other long, sturdy pastas for a similar satisfying chew. You can also adjust the amount of cracked black pepper to your personal spice preference, adding more for a bolder kick or less for a milder approach.
This Cacio e Pepe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner when you crave something rich and flavorful without the fuss. Serve it simply on its own, allowing its bold flavors to shine, or alongside a crisp green salad to complement its richness.