Cacio e Pepe
Rome's simplest and most elegant pasta. Just three ingredients: pasta, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper, combined into a creamy, peppery masterpiece.
5 min
Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
2
Servings
Medium
Difficulty
Ingredients
Instructions
Toast the black pepper in a large dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add a ladle of pasta water (once boiling) and let it simmer.
Bring a pot of water to a boil with salt. Cook the pasta 2 minutes less than package directions.
Meanwhile, place the grated Pecorino in a bowl. Add 2-3 tablespoons of warm (not hot) pasta water and stir vigorously to form a thick paste.
Tip: The water must be warm, not boiling. Boiling water will cause the cheese to clump into a ball instead of forming a cream.
Transfer the pasta directly from the pot to the pepper skillet using tongs (bringing starchy water with it). Toss over medium-low heat for 1 minute.
Remove from heat. Add the cheese paste and toss aggressively, adding small splashes of pasta water, until you have a glossy, creamy coating on every strand.
Serve immediately with extra Pecorino and pepper on top.
Nutrition per Serving
480kcal
Calories
22g
Protein
56g
Carbs
18g
Fat
2g
Fiber
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